But the Lord of hosts is exalted by justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy by righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16 NRSV)

A major theme in Isaiah’s message is righteousness and justice. These concepts bear studying because they mean different things to Isaiah than they do to us in the western, modern world. Furthermore, our Christian subculture associates righteousness with personal morality and justice with social political action. This is not how the Bible portrays them.

In Hebrew, righteousness is translated as tzedakah or sedeq. (Interestingly it also appears as justice in English translations.) It means “right standing and consequent right behavior within a community.”¹ According to the Bible Project, “It’s an ethical standard that refers to right relationships between people. It’s about treating others as the image of God.”² It’s when “relationships within a community are righty ordered and everyone fulfills their God-given purpose [so that] all things flourish.”³

In Hebrew, justice is mishpat. (This same Hebrew word is also translated as judgment.) It comes from the root shapat meaning “to judge or govern.” My mind automatically thinks government, laws, courts, and democracy because western justice focuses on how things should be done, on making laws and enforcing them. Justice in our world is the responsibility of a few in the public, legal arenas of our society and is enforced by the police and the courts. Our justice emphasizes behavior—not doing wrong.⁴

In contrast, Hebraic justice is focuses on what life should be like, on creating, sustaining, and enhancing all human life. Justice in Hebrew society is the responsibility of everyone and belongs in all parts of the culture. Justice is taught to everyone and emphasizes the heart—actively doing right and restoring what is broken.

Righteousness and justice are opposite sides of the same coin and we must have both. Righteousness is the ethical standard that justice enforces. Without righteousness, justice becomes the work of a vigilante taking matters into their hands to mete out the punishment they deem satisfactory. Without justice, the standard remains an ideal but never a reality and evil is not dealt with.

The culture of ancient Israel was very focused on justice (the proper ordering of human relationships and communities), and righteousness (the proper ordering of human relationships with God). While we often separate these two dimensions, throughout the Bible they are united and the biblical writers were very concerned with anything that brought disorder to either our relationships with one another or our relationship with God.

Skye Jethani⁵

First, Isaiah makes it clear that God is characterized by righteousness and justice:

• But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts. (Isaiah 5:16)
• Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! (30:18)
• The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness. (33:5)
• For I, the LORD, love justice (61:8, also Ps 11:7, 33:5, 45:7, 99:4; Jer 9:24)

Because of who he is, God will bring righteousness and justice to all:

• Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. (9:7)
• but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. (11:4)
• In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. (16:5)
• He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. (28:6)
• I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. (28:17)
• See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. (32:1)
• The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. (32:16)
• “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. (42:1)
• In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; (42:3)
• He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. (42:4)
• Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. (51:4)
• My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. (51:5)

Then, as part of God’s kindgom, we follow his example:

• Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (1:17)
• This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed.” (56:1)

To seek justice, therefore, is to cooperate with God against the forces of unorder and disorder. It is joining God in his creative and redemptive work.

Skye Jethani ⁶

How might your understanding of righteousness and justice need to be adjusted?

How might you follow God’s example in ordering life as it should be in your corner of the world?

PRAYER

Almighty God, I am so grateful that you love righteousness and justice, that you see the plight of the marginalized and come to rescue of those who suffer oppression. Reality tells me that your ideal is not yet achieved in this world and I await that day when you will bring justice to the nations. In the meantime, teach me how to order life as it should be in my sphere of influence.

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¹ Skye Jethani, “Is Justice a Perversion of the Gospel?“ With God Daily, May 4, 2021

² The Bible Project, Justice.

³ Skye Jethani, “In the Beginning God Created Order,” With God Daily, May 5, 2021

⁴ Jessica Nicholas, God Loves Justice: A User-Friendly Guide to Biblical Justice and Righteousness (Los Angeles, CA: S & E Educational Press, 2017), 16.

⁵ Skye Jethani “Evil In All It’s Forms,” With God Daily, March 6, 2023

⁶ Skye Jethani, “In the Beginning God Created Order,” With God Daily, May 5, 2021

All scripture is quoted from the New International Version (unless otherwise noted) with emphasis added.