Q7. Justice

[Pastor Ralph]

Q7. (1 Kings 3:16-28) Why does the Scripture emphasize justice for the poor and disadvantaged, the alien and the orphan? Why are courts often inclined to favor the wealthy? Why do societies throughout the ages tend to perpetuate discrimination against outsiders? In what ways should social justice be a value for followers of Yahweh and of Jesus in our day?

[Nicolaas A.P. Mostert]

Q7. (1 Kings 3:16-28)

Why does the Scripture emphasize justice for the poor and disadvantaged, the alien and the orphan?

This is people who most of the time cannot defend themselves because of cannot afford it or lack of knowledge. The is the people JESUS instructed us to look after.

Why are courts often inclined to favor the wealthy?

They can afford the best lawyers and the wealthy language.  

Why do societies throughout the ages tend to perpetuate discrimination against outsiders?

They are not of the same culture, not the same nation, not the same country some times not of the same language.

In what ways should social justice be a value for followers of Yahweh and of Jesus in our day?

GOD is LOVE and therefore love us first, JESUS said as I love you so you must love your neighbor. 

[Clelie]

God is a just God who does not show partiality and accept no bribes.He is just in all His dealings with mankind . He cares for the poor ,the lowly, those who are trodden down by the wicked society of this world.He is love and cares  for those who are helpless and defenseless .

Courts where justice is not the rule are corrupt and favour those who have power and influence .James 2:2-6 You have  dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich ones who oppress you and ones who drag you to court?

Societies which are self centered would not want to share with outsiders . There’s also racial discrimination, inconsideration for those who seek asylum or refuge for safety from political issues etc.

Followers of Jesus should learn to walk like Jesus . We have examples of Jesus though a Jew did not refuse to help those who were non Jews . He never turned away any need from anyone. He did not consider himself above any particular race or ethnicity.After his resurrection He  commanded his apostles to go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all things that He has commanded them. Today followers of Christ should  promote justice in their societies as a witness to the living Christ.,

 

 

 

 

justice 

[Krissi]

In the recent past, the poor, aliens and orphans were shoved aside by the court system, unable to defend themselves against other citizens or from the government itself because the system was rigged against them. Today, courts are corrupted and politicized in a different way with different victims. For example, "lawfare" harms a political opponent by using the court system to destroy his reputation, bankrupt and silence him.

Today's courts are above the law. They create, not interpret, laws and use these newly created or fantastical re-interpretations of existing laws to destroy political opponents or people they don't like. Once targeted, a citizen's life will never be the same. He or she will never feel safe and will constantly worry about the next trumped up accusation their political enemies will make. Today's legal system uses the laws as a weapon to coerce submission and silence.

Ray Donovan (who had some sort of job under Reagan, I believe) after finally being acquitted (as well as bankrupted), famously quipped, "Which office do I go to to get my reputation back?" He had been ruined by the courts. Unjustly. His acquittal didn't help him because his entire life, career, family and health had been devastated by weaponized courts. There are tens of thousands of people who have had experiences like Ray Donovan's ... harmed and destroyed by the government's judicial system. 

Today's court perverters of justice intellectualize the problem by pretending that justice is an airy-fairy concept that no longer exists -- "whose justice ... which rationality" -- but the rest of us know that justice remains an understandable concept.

Corrupt judges are part of a corrupt system. That system seeks to harm individuals who critique or oppose it. Americans can no longer safely voice contrary opinions or challenge the government -- free speech has been gutted. For this reason, Solomon's wise sayings don't fit today's circumstances. In fact, Solomon's situation has been turned on it's head!  The poor, disadvantaged and aliens are actually protected and acquitted by the courts even when guilty, while Christians, the innocent and reformers are persecuted relentlessly even though innocent. There is a positive bias toward criminals and Leftists in today's courts -- witness the lax punishment of those who steal, destroy property or are a public menace in San Fransisco and Portland, for example.

The court is part of the insider's club which excludes true Christians -- governmental elitists are a law unto themselves. Social justice only will be manifested when governmental insiders are unable to change the laws to benefit themselves or to consider themselves above the law. 

Personally, I no longer think it is possible for Christians to work within the system to reform the system. Governmental corruption is too endemic and pervasive to be changed with the typical remedies of voting and activism. 

[hanks]

Q7. (1 KINGS 3:16-28) 
Why does the Scripture emphasize justice for the poor and disadvantaged, the alien and the orphan? Why are courts often inclined to favour the wealthy? Why do societies throughout the ages tend to perpetuate discrimination against outsiders? In what ways should social justice be a value for followers of Yahweh and of Jesus in our day? 
This is because these people are the most vulnerable in our society. They do not have the means to protect themselves as do the rich and powerful. Outsiders are discriminated against mostly because of their threat to local employment, and perhaps because of cultural differences. Today, as it was in Solomon’s time, failure to appoint honest, righteous, and impartial leaders will lead to many problems as Israel discovered to their own detriment. As believers we are to imitate our Lord’s love and seek justice for all. 
 

[Katy]

Q7. In God’s eyes we human beings are all equal. So whether we are poor or wealthy we deserve the same treatment and respect from others and particularly from those in authority and the judiciary. In the Scriptures we see how Jesus sought out and interacted with those who were on the fringes of society, this is a great example for us of how we deal with those that are not acceptable by society in general. In our study we see how fervent Solomon was about treating his people with justice and respect. In his writings in Proverbs and Psalm 172 he speaks about the lowly and oppressed and how they must be treated. This is an example for us and a reminder of how we should treat others.

To have wealth is to have worldly power, which people respect. I am not sure why the wealthy are treated with favour by the courts. I suppose the wealthy tend to know people in high places who put in a good word for them. This may have influence on the courts but should not influence them,  no matter what the circumstances are. If someone has committed an offence they need to accept the punishment of the courts.

Outsiders tend to be discriminated against because they are seen as a threat . People don’t like to see strangers coming in to the country and getting housing, jobs etc, when people in our own country are on endless waiting lists for housing etc. Others are just racist and intolerant of anyone who is different. Unfortunately this is often based on ignorance.

As followers of Jesus we are walking in His footsteps, He was our greatest example. Jesus showed kindness and compassion towards those who were lowly , poor, and vulnerable. We also have Solomon’s example of how he treated his people , he wanted from God above everything else, wisdom so he could rule his people properly, in the way that God would want him to.We may not have people to rule over but we can use the principles he used. We can also ask God for wisdom to treat people with dignity and respect. Always being mindful that we may one day be in similar situations and need help and support from others in a strange and foreign land.