Daily Devotions

Cursed is anyone who withholds justice (Deuteronomy 27:19)

“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.”
Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

God was so serious about the issue of justice that He preemptively cursed those who withhold justice from others. This is a stern warning that Israel will ignore too often, which causes them to experience God’s justice.

To our post New Testament ears, the word cursed seems such a foreign concept, especially in light of the words of Jesus, “bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28 The Hebrew word used here is associated with the word execrate meaning a sense of loathing. Put this in the context of Deuteronomy 27:19 we could read this as “Deeply loathed is anyone who withholds justice.” 

Other translations interpret this verse as ,’perverts justice’, “withholds justice', or even “interferes with justice”.

Those who follow this daily blog will know how I often turn to the writings of Fred Beuchner when looking for clarity. Look what he says about Justice, “Justice also does not preclude mercy. It makes mercy possible. Justice is the pitch of the roof and the structure of the walls. Mercy is the patter of rain on the roof and the life sheltered by the walls. Justice is the grammar of things. Mercy is the poetry of things.”

John Wesley voiced this Justice/Mercy intersection this way…

Thine, Lord, is wisdom, thine alone;

Justice and truth before thee stand:

Yet, nearer to thy sacred throne

Mercy withholds thy lifted hand.

Each evening shows thy tender love,

Each rising morn thy plenteous grace;

Thy wakened wrath doth slowly move,

Thy willing mercy flies apace.

To thy benign, indulgent care,

Father, this light, this breath, we owe;

And all we have, and all we are,

From thee, great Source of being, flow.

You ask me to give myself to you.
You ask me to live
in humility before you,
seeking your wisdom, your will, your way,
which is always the way of love.
Teach me to pray for justice
Teach me to do justice.
Teach me to pray for mercy.
Teach me to do mercy.
Teach me to pray for compassion and tender heartedness.
Teach me to live in compassion and tender heartedness.
Teach me to pray with my life
Make my life a prayer. Amen