Biblical Justice: Why The World Gets It Wrong
Biblical Justice is a difficult topic. Our definition of the term is clouded by political agendas and terrible theology. In the Biblical Worldview, followers of Christ understand that justice isn’t just a good idea. It’s required. So, we better understand what it means. It starts with a Hebrew word that means both “righteousness” and “charity.” I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.
Biblical Hebrew is a “poor language.” This doesn’t mean it’s a bad language; just that it has fewer words than other ancient languages. This actually helps it become a beautiful language with lots of nuances. A word like “kanaph” can mean both “corner” and “wings.” The Biblical writers play off these two definitions to paint lots of amazing pictures in the Psalms and Prophets. And the New Testament writers carry those through to Jesus. Another word like this is “tzedakah.” It’s translated into English as both “righteousness” and “charity.”
Is Charity in the Old Testament?
If you do a quick Google search for the word “charity” in the Old Testament, you won’t find a single direct reference. There isn’t a word for it in the Hebrew language. But the idea of charity is all over the Hebrew Scriptures:
It goes well for the one who generously lends money, and conducts his business honestly. For he will never be shaken; others will always remember one who is just. He does not fear bad news. But he is confident; he trusts in the LORD. His resolve is firm; he will not succumb to fear before he looks in triumph on his enemies. He generously gives to the needy; his integrity endures. He will be vindicated and honored. (Psalm 112:5-9 NET)
No, this is the kind of fast I want: I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe them! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood. Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the LORD’s splendor will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6-8 NET)
In almost every context it’s found, “tzedakah” means “righteousness.” It could also be translated as “justice” or simply “doing what is right.” And this is exactly why this has become the Hebrew word for “charity.” If you see someone in need, the just and righteous thing is to meet that need. The Jewish people have taken this idea very seriously.
Charity Among the Jewish People
Jewish communities have always been extraordinarily charitable. Jews have historically been less likely than others to be in need of food or clothing. Here’s a really interesting example. Seven charitable societies provided clothing, shoes, linens, and beds for the few thousand Jews living in Rome in the seventeenth century. Two other societies provided brides with trousseaus. Another assisted families dealing with sudden deaths, and another was responsible for visiting the sick. Another eleven groups raised money for Jewish educational and religious institutions. One special society collected charity for Jews in the land of Israel.
The Talmud, a collection of Jewish commentaries on the Hebrew Bible, says: “Charity is as important as all the other commandments together.” Charity isn’t just another word for righteousness. Charity is righteousness. And refusing to be charitable is being unrighteous and unjust.
However, biblical justice isn’t a handout. Charity laws in Jewish communities are designed to reduce the number of Jews needing public funds. First, they obligated Jews to accept charity only as a last resort. As the Talmud teaches, “Better [to earn money by] skinning an animal’s carcass [a particularly unprestigious job] than by taking charity.” Second, the highest form of charity was to start a poor person in a business or profession so that he never again would need charity. Finally, most Jewish communities have a gemilut hesed (providing kindness) society to provide interest-free loans to the needy. This prevents the need for charity.
So, What Is Biblical Justice?
James, the leader of the Church in Jerusalem and brother of Jesus, gave a powerful explanation of biblical justice to the First Century Christians. I can hear the argument he is combatting in my head: “We’re not saved by any acts of righteousness. We’re saved by faith. So, does it really matter if I’m charitable?” To this, James says:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. (James 2:14-19 NET)
The prophet Micah answered the question about how followers of the One True God are to live out their days on this earth: “He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the LORD really wants from you: He wants you to carry out justice, to love faithfulness, and to live obediently before your God.” (Micah 6:8 NET)
