In many courts of law, especially in the western world, Justice is depicted as a blindfolded woman holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other. This image proudly conveys the message that blind justice treats people as equals, without partiality, and this is what safeguards the rule of law in modern democracies. But is it really just to treat unequals equally? Doesn’t that keep the status quo of inequality?
In contrast to blind justice, biblical justice is open-eyed and with hands outstretched to the oppressed and those in need. It is not about maintaining order and balance in the interest of the powerful, but of righting wrongs and transforming relationships in the interests of the oppressed ~ “Shalom”. Many dispense blind justice and aggressive justice instead of rising to the vision of Shalom!
In Christ we have the fullness of God’s justice and mercy :o)
Thank you for this!
This make me think of Psalm 84:10: “Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.” Yes, a different vision!
Spot on. It’s sad to see how modern Israeli society has slowly drifted toward the western culture of “maintaining order and balance,” as you say. For example, when Ethiopian and Russian immigrant Jews were liberated and moved to Israel in the 20th century, they were assigned to the worst jobs, if they even found work.
Today, order (”seder”) is so highly prized, it’s not something that is reserved to the Passover Seder meal. It is part of everyday life. For example, in any typical modern Hebrew conversation, a friendly greeting sounds like this:
Rivka - “Shalom, Miriam!” (Hi, Miriam!)
Miriam - “Shalom! Ma ni shma?” (Hi, how are you?)
Rivka - “Ze be’seder.” (It’s okay.) [literally, "It's in order"]
Only the second coming of Yeshua Ha Mashiach will restore God’s vision of Shalom and Justice on the earth. Come, Lord Jesus!