Justice

One of the key roles of all political leadership (in office) is to carry out justice for the citizens and to defend the poor and the vulnerable in society:

THE BIBLE SAYS:

a.?King Solomon was revered for giving great judgment that promoted justice:

Then King Solomon said, “Each of you claims that the living child is hers and that the dead child belongs to the other one.” He sent for a sword, and when it was brought, he said, “Cut the living child in two and give each woman half of it.” The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, “Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!” But the other woman said, “Don't give it to either of us; go ahead and cut it in two.” Then Solomon said, “Don't kill the child! Give it to the first woman — she is its real mother.” When the people of Israel heard of Solomon’s decision, they were all filled with deep respect for him, because they knew then that God had given him the wisdom to settle disputes fairly (1 Kings 3:24-38).

b. Deuteronomy 16:18-19 states:?Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially. They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments.

c. Proverbs 16:12 says that:?Kings cannot tolerate evil, because justice is what makes a government strong.

d. The leaders of Israel were condemned for not carrying out justice and for oppressing their citizens:?Listen, you rulers of Israel! You are supposed to be concerned about justice, yet you hate what is good and you love what is evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones. You eat my people up. You strip off their skin, break their bones, and chop them up like meat for the pot (Micah 3:1-3).

e. When the king is concerned with justice, the nation will be strong, but when he is only concerned with money, he will ruin his country (Proverbs 29:4).

CONCLUSION

Outgoing and incoming political leaders should recognize that their cardinal responsibility in the office is to do justice to the people, especially in ensuring that the weak and vulnerable are treated fairly and equitably.

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