Justice
In Deuteronomy 16:20, G-d commands His people,
"Justice, justice, you shall pursue, that you may have life and possess the land which the LORD your G-d is giving you."
This verse lists two things that are the consequence of pursuing justice:
- life
- possession of the Land of Israel
Messiah declared He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6) If we pursue justice, then we pursue Him. If we do not pursue justice, then we are not pursuing Him.
When the ancient Israelites ceased to seek justice, they also ceased to seek G-d. The second benefit of the commandment (possession of the Land) was also lost when that occurred.
G-d was the One Who enabled the Israelites to remain in the Land in the face of their enemies. He gave them strength and victory in battle and peace afterward. When the Israelites ceased to pursue justice and G-d, He ceased to protect them from their enemies, and they were driven out of the Land. Initially, it was the northern kingdom of Israel in the Assyrian captivity (1 Chron 5:26, 2 Kings 15:29, 2 Kings 17:3-6, 2 Kings 18:11-12). Then later, it was the southern kingdom of Judah in Babylonian captivity (2 Chron 36:5-8, 2 Kings 25:1-4, Jer 39:1-8).
The citizens of Florida should pursue justice in the Casey Anthony trial (and in every trial), and in doing so, they will, in some small measure, reflect G-d's righteous justice.
Vengeance
The news media has reported stories across the country that many attending or watching the Casey Anthony trial "want to see justice done for little Caylee" and believe her mother should receive the death sentence.
The death sentence?
Shouldn't we first discover through examination of witnesses and evidence whether or not she is guilty? Some have jumped straight to a guilty verdict and want Ms. Anthony put to death. That is not justice... that is vengeance.
While the Bible supports the death penalty in the case of murder (Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 24:17, Numbers 35:15-31), it also requires a trial by a judge (Deuteronomy 16:18, 1:16) who must have the evidence of two or more witnesses in any case involving the death penalty (Deuteronomy 17:6).
The judges must judge guilt or innocence in a trial to render justice. That is even the pattern that G-d will follow at the last judgment.
If anyone bypasses the judicial process, then they are pursuing vengeance... and G-d forbids that:
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)
G-d places "loving your neighbor as yourself" (the second greatest commandment) at the opposite end of the spectrum from taking vengeance.
While G-d does command the Israelites to take vengeance upon the Midianites (Numbers 31:2), it is His vengeance they are delivering (verse 3), not their own.
G-d also tells us through the Apostle Paul,
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
Believers should not pursue vengeance in this matter or any other. It may not be easy when we are filled with righteous anger at the death of a child, but with G-d, all things are possible.
Mercy
Some believers may lament the apparent lack of mercy in this situation. "Even if she is guilty," they say, "shouldn't we show her mercy as Christ showed us mercy?"
They sometimes bring up the story of the woman caught in adultery as an example but often overlook the complete picture of that specific event. Let's briefly examine what occurred:
- Messiah is in the Temple teaching (John 8:2).
- Some scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery and challenged Him, saying, "In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" (John 8:4).
- His response is, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her." (John 8:7)
Let's put this into modern terms:
- Imagine your pastor is teaching a Bible study in a public place.
- A couple of police officers barge in with a suspect charged with a crime worthy of the death penalty and ask the pastor what should be done with her.
- The pastor responds, "Let her have her day in court to face her accusers and witnesses against her."
The pastor, amid a Bible study, would have no authority to judge the accused person... even if the pastor also happened to be a judge. A judge should try the matter in a court of law. The pastor isn't showing the accused person mercy. He is pursuing justice and obeying the law.
Similarly, Messiah's response in John chapter 8 is not one of mercy but of justice. The scribes and Pharisees are testing Him to determine if He is a law keeper or a lawbreaker (John 8:6). Messiah follows the law and calls for witnesses to "cast the first stone."
The woman is not set free because she was found guilty and is then shown mercy but because no witnesses testified against her, and she was found not guilty!
Similarly, believers following the Casey Anthony trial should allow events to unfold and justice to be pursued.
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