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Deuteronomy 14-17 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 1:14 “You answered¹ me, ‘What you propose to do is good.’

Deuteronomy 1:15 “So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: commanders for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1:16 I commanded your judges at that time, and this is what I said: Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge ethically between a man and his brother or his guest.²

Deuteronomy 1:17 Do not show partiality when deciding a case; listen to small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, because judgment³ belongs to God. Bring me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.

judgment balance

Moses’ qualification list for judges concentrated on two positive traits and two negative disqualifying traits. A judge in Israel had to be personally wise and socially respected by his peers. He also had to be courageous enough not to be intimidated by others when deciding what is fair, nor partial for or prejudiced against someone who is different than he is.

Lord, make us wise and impartial, so that our judgments always reflect favorably upon you.