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fair to everyone

Deuteronomy 24:16-17 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers are not to be put to death for their children, and children are not to be put to death for their fathers; each person will be put to death for his own mistake.
Deuteronomy 24:17 Do not deny justice to a guest or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s garment as security.

fair to everyone

What Moses describes is a system of interaction that intends to be fair to all. There are standards of behavior that all are expected to comply to. For example, murder is prohibited. Anyone who commits murder can expect to be caught, tried, and executed. The murderer cannot escape justice by providing an alternate victim, even from his own family.

The people in the margins of this community are equally protected by its legal system. Those who have no parents or spouse to protect them can rely on the rules of the community to come to their rescue.

Most war, and much of today’s political conflict and strife has to do with seeking a system of rules and governance that is fair to everyone. The Israelites had that, but they didn’t always let it do what it was designed to do.

Lord, thank you for caring about everyone. Help us to be fair to everyone too.