Righteous Judgment
A Biblical Mandate for Judges to Avoid Bribery
The Bible, as the inspired and all-sufficient Word of God, speaks often and plainly on the matter of justice and righteousness. The role of judges in God's economy is of vital importance, as they serve not only the people but also the Lord Himself. A faithful judge is required to render decisions with integrity, according to the law of God, without partiality, and free from corruption. The acceptance of bribes is condemned throughout Scripture, as it is a practice that perverts justice, blinds the wise, and leads to sin. Let us explore what the Word of God teaches on the necessity of righteous judgment and the prohibition against bribery.
The Charge to Judges: Uphold Righteousness
In Deuteronomy 16:18-19, Moses, under the direction of God, delivered clear instructions regarding the appointment and conduct of judges. The passage reads:
"Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous."
This command leaves no room for ambiguity. Judges were to be established among the people, and their function was to render "just judgment." That is, they were to judge according to the law of God without favoritism, without respect of persons, and without allowing personal relationships or influence to interfere with their duty. The warning against bribery is particularly clear—gifts, or bribes, corrupt judgment. They blind even the wise and pervert the very words of righteousness. The giving and receiving of bribes lead to a distortion of justice, making it impossible for the judge to act according to the standards of God's law.
The Consequences of Corruption
Bribery, as condemned in Deuteronomy, is not a peripheral issue but is a matter of great spiritual and moral consequence. It is not simply a case of poor decision-making or human error, but it is a sin against God Himself. In Exodus 23:8, we read:
"And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous."
God did not give multiple warnings on this issue to fill space. The repetition underscores the seriousness of the matter. Gifts, or bribes, cause the recipient to lose clarity in judgment. What would otherwise be righteous and fair becomes clouded and distorted. The effect is spiritual blindness. Thus, a judge who accepts bribes aligns himself with wickedness and injustice, failing in his sacred duty.
God’s Demand for Impartiality
In Leviticus 19:15, another fundamental aspect of righteous judgment is revealed:
"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour."
God’s justice is impartial. The poor are not to be favored because of their condition, and the mighty are not to receive special treatment because of their power. Righteousness is the standard by which judgment must be made, without any regard for external factors such as wealth, status, or influence. A judge who respects persons is engaging in an act of unrighteousness and is failing to uphold the law of God. God’s demand is for pure and just judgment, a reflection of His own nature, which is without partiality and utterly righteous.
A Wicked Man and His Bribe
Proverbs 17:23 speaks directly to the wickedness inherent in bribery:
"A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment."
The man who accepts a bribe is not only corrupt in his actions but is identified here as wicked in character. It is a deeply entrenched sin, a sin that goes to the heart of a person’s integrity and standing before God. A judge who takes bribes is engaging in deliberate sin, for the purpose of bribery is always to "pervert the ways of judgment." A judge cannot take bribes and remain just. His decisions will inevitably be tainted, leading him to oppose the righteous standard of God.
Jehoshaphat’s Exhortation: Judge for God
In 2 Chronicles 19:6-7, we find a solemn charge given to the judges appointed by King Jehoshaphat:
"And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."
Jehoshaphat’s instruction to the judges underlines the divine responsibility inherent in their office. They were not judging merely for the people, but they were judging on behalf of the Lord. This reality added a heightened level of accountability, for they were to judge in the fear of God, knowing that He Himself is a righteous Judge. There is "no iniquity with the Lord," and thus, no iniquity can be found in His judges. The command is clear: they were to take no gifts, for the Lord Himself does not take bribes.
Conclusion: The Righteous Judge
The Scriptures provide an uncompromising standard for judges—righteousness, impartiality, and rejection of all bribery. The acceptance of bribes corrupts judgment, blinds the wise, and leads to wickedness. Judges, whether in ancient Israel or today, must understand that their duty is ultimately to God. The law of God demands that justice be administered without respect of persons and without any form of corruption.
God Himself is the righteous Judge, as Psalm 9:8 declares: "And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness." His standard for judgment is the same for those who would represent Him on earth. The warning against bribes and partiality is not an optional guideline, but a divine command that must be followed in every case. God’s people must uphold justice, for to do otherwise is to oppose the very nature of God and to align oneself with wickedness.
Let us, therefore, commit ourselves to the standard of righteous judgment set forth in the Scriptures, remembering that we serve the righteous Judge, whose justice is perfect and whose ways are untainted by corruption or partiality. May the judges of the land heed the Word of God and forsake the sinful practice of bribery, standing firm in righteousness and truth.
The judges of the land (USA) - not quite sure how you make the passage apply to the judges of a country, any country. The directions were for the judges of ISRAEL, not the neighboring countries. Mixing the requirements det by God with today's judiciary is problematic, at the least.