The Judge Judges the Judges

I’ve suffered many minor injustices in my life, most of which I’ve forgotten. But I suffered one major injustice twenty-plus years ago that can still crush me if I think about it too much. It will probably not be put right in this world and neither will my wounded spirit. Anyone who’s experienced a miscarriage of justice in a courtroom, in a church room, in a family room, or in a work room can identify with Solomon’s proverb: “A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (18:14).

One positive that’s come out of the injustice I suffered is a passion for justice for others. That’s what seems to have happened to Solomon too, as he surrounds the proverb about his crushed spirit with four basic principles of justice that, if followed, would prevent a lot of crushing. What are the principles of perfect justice?

Hear the Case (18:13)

“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (18:13). This is pretty basic, isn’t it? Listen to a case before deciding a case. Yet, I’ve seen cases decided before the evidence and witnesses were heard. People decided on the guilt or innocence of a person based on friendships, connections, threats, politics, and even theology. That, says Solomon, is foolish and shameful.

Lawyers must be listeners.

How do I know what to listen for?

Study the Law (18:15)

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (18:15). If we are called to judge whether someone has broken the law, then we need to know the law to see if it’s been broken. We need to read books and consult other wise sources to understand what is right and wrong, legal and illegal, and how to decide on each case.

Learn the law to try the truth.

What might sway my judgment?

Decide Impartially (18:16)

“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great” (18:16). The most common impediment to justice is money. The rich can bribe judges to sway judgments. The wealthy can access lawyers and legal advice that the poor cannot afford. God repeatedly called judges to judge without prejudice or partiality because money is such a great temptation.

Financial judgment is not fair judgment.

How do I test someone’s story?

Allow Examination (18:17)

“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him” (18:17). We’ve all been in this position, haven’t we? We hear one side of the story and are totally persuaded by it. But when someone else challenges this narrative, the truth comes out differently. Solomon, therefore, calls us to beware of the tendency to believe the first story more than the second and to ensure cross-examination of all parties.

The first story may be a false story.

Changing Our Story with God’s Story

God, the Judge of all, is judging the judges in these proverbs. At the final judgment, he will hear the case against them, and he will judge with perfect knowledge of his law, with perfect impartiality, and with perfect cross-examination.

We may not be a judge in a courtroom, but we are judges in daily life. We make judgments in disputes in our families, workplaces, and many other places and relationships. God will call us to account for these judgments, too.

If that alarms you, remember the Judge was judged in our place so that we can escape the judgment of God. And if we’ve suffered the pain of injustice, that crushing feeling will be removed on the great day of judgment, when God will right all wrongs and deliver the oppressed from their oppressors.

Summary: What are the principles of perfect justice? Judge according to God’s law because we will be judged by God’s law.

Question: How does this passage help you judge justly or bear unjust judgment?

Prayer: Just Judge, I praise you for your perfect justice and ask that you would help me to trust your final judgment to heal my crushing.