January 15, 2006
THE SUPREME COURT & THE BIBLE
Matthew 18:20

 

   Few are aware that our system of laws and justice and even our "supreme court" were patterned after biblical principles. "The avenger of blood" prevailed in the very beginning such that God put a mark on Cain exempting him from that further punishment. Under Noah God instituted government requiring murderers to be put to death. See Genesis 9:5-6. Under Moses God established the system of laws and punishment administered by courts and judges. Such was not learned from the wisdom of Egypt.
   At first Moses did all the judging until counseled to appoint elders to share this work. Only the hard cases were appealed to him. Israel's judges were to act for God according to His law and honored with the name elohim, "You are gods (elohim)...children of the most High" (Psalm 82:6). Yet their miscarriage of justice drew God's warning, "you shall die like men." "All the foundations of the earth are out of course" described their misdeeds! They did not reform in spite of the ministry of the prophets. "What can the righteous do?"
   Israel's courts were administered by scribes and Pharisees during the days of the Lord. Yet they were not among His chosen for the twelve apostles. He picked mostly Galileans who were not corrupted by the unbiblical  traditions of the scribes and Pharisees.
   The Lord prescribed that when someone had been wronged it was first to be settled between the two involved. That failing, the plaintiff would add one or two so that two or three would appeal to the offender. That failing, the matter would be heard by the local synagogue ("tell it to the church" Mt. 18:17). Only matters not settled at that level would be heard by two or three of His apostles. They should be thought of as judges sitting "on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Mt. 19:28). Judicial administration was the work the Lord was preparing them to assume in His absence. He promised them His guidance and help from heaven.
   "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa. 133:1) was God's goal and blessing in every dispensation. Let us "love one another with a pure heart fervently."

 

Ivan L. Burgener