Just Governance

The Lord gave Moses guidance for setting up courts to judge legal matters. He told Moses to appoint judges and officers who would judge the people with just judgment. They were not to pervert justice by showing partiality. They were not to take bribes. The Lord says, “A bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. You shall follow what is altogether just...” [1]

The Lord gave Moses guidance in regards to loyalty of worship to Him alone. No one in Israel was to break covenant with Him. Israel was to execute anyone from among them who began to serve and worship false gods, but this death penalty could only be carried out on the basis of two or three witnesses testifying to the idolator’s idolatry. [2]

The Lord counseled Moses to have Levite priests judge controversial legal matters. The priests would judge the matter “according to the sentence of the Law.” God’s Law! Once, sentence was pronounced, it was to be heeded, “Now the man who acts presumptuously and will not heed the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord your God, or the judge, that man shall die. So, you shall put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear and fear, and no longer act presumptuously.” [3]

The Lord gave Moses guidance for kings. The king was to be someone God chose. The king was to be from among the brethren, not a foreigner. He was not to multiply horses, wives or silver and gold for himself. He was to keep a copy of God’s Law with him. He was to read God’s Law all the days of his life for the purpose of learning to fear the Lord his God, and to be careful to observe God’s Law. This discipline would help to keep his heart from being lifted above his brethren. He too would be under the Law. [4]

The Lord gave Moses guidance against human sacrifices, witchcraft, soothsaying, interpretation of omens, sorcery, conjuring spells, spiritism, mediums and necromancy (calling up the dead). These practices are abominations. An abomination is something gross to God. [5] Palm and face reading, tarot cards, Ouija Boards, seances, stargazing, horoscopes and so called good luck items involve looking to someone or something else besides God for answers or salvation. They are evil. Animated and live acting movies about witchcraft and sorcery are to be avoided. People should not to the dead. God reminded Israel that His judgment of such people preceded their inheritance of the Promised Land.

God had someone in mind for Israel and for the world to worship and follow. The Lord told Moses, “I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My Words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. And it shall be that whoever will not hear My Words, which He speaks in My Name, I will require it of him.” Of which Prophet, God the Father later spoke, saying, “This [Jesus] is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” [6]

God knew that sinful kings, judges, priests, and people would fail to do what was right. Sometimes they want to do what is right but compromise for the sake of people-pleasing. Sinners fail others. Thankfully, God sent His Son into the world to show us how a sinless being in human flesh behaves. Jesus never sinned. He loved and served people. He told the truth.

John the Baptist testified for Jesus, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ...This is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” [7]

Andrew said his brother, “We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ).” [8]

Philip said to Nathanael, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law, and also the prophets, wrote —Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’” [9]

Nathanael said to Jesus, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [10]

Jesus Christ is God’s Son. He judges the world with righteous judgment. Soon, the earth’s failed system of governances will be replaced with His perfect rule and guidance. It is time now, to prepare for this regime change by worshipping Jesus, and serving Him and Him alone.

“Heavenly Father, please grant us and our governing authorities grace to serve Your Son, and honor Him alone so that just governance might flow like a mighty river in our lands. In the Name of Jesus Your Son, I pray, Amen.”

[1] Deuteronomy 16:18-20
[2] Deuteronomy 17:2-7
[3] Deuteronomy 17:8-13
[4] Deuteronomy 17:14-20
[5] Deuteronomy 18:9-14
[6] Deuteronomy 18:18-19; Matthew 17:5
[7] John 1:29, 33-34
[8] John 1:40-41
[9] John 1:45
[10] John 1:49