BIBLICAL JUSTICE

JUSTICE "MISHPAT"

• Mishpat is the Hebrew word used for Justice
• Mishpat is giving people what they are due, whether punishment or protection or care.

BIBLICAL REFERENCES

• Lev. 18:5, 19:15, and 19:35
• Deut. 1:16-17, 16:19, 24:17, 27:19, and 30:16

MISHPAT VS "JUSTICE"

• Our society separates justice and charity. Charity can not be charity if it is an obligation. But the Old Testament law required that giving to the poor was just and righteous.

EXAMPLES OF JUSTICE

• Gen. 9:6
• Exo. 21:16, 21:29, 22:10

EXAMPLES OF DOING GOOD

• Deut. 26:12
• Lev. 23:22
• James 1:27

RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Mishpat works hand in hand with righteousness, or right living.
• The Bible depicts giving to the poor as an act of righteous living and not charity. See Matt. 6:1-4

ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY

• You will be divided into 4 groups and given an article each.
• Read the article and answer the questions on the worksheet.
• You will be presenting your article and opinions to the rest of the class for discussion.
• Refer to the class notes to back up your opinions.

BIG QUESTIONS

• When considering James 1:27 and Romans 13:1, How shall we now try to live? And what does the Lord require of us?