“Moreover, you shall accept no ransom for the life of a murderer, who is guilty of death, but he shall be put to death. And you shall accept no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to dwell in the land before the death of the high priest.” – Numbers 35:31-32
Justice is extremely important to God. God is perfectly just and condemns injustice. These verses are but one of many throughout the Bible addressing matters of justice, both criminal and social. God is perfectly just and the cross of Christ is the ultimate proof of His concern for justice. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, suffered and died to pay the just penalty for our sins.
One aspect of justice that is often emphasized in Scripture is the one addressed in these verses. Rules and laws should always apply equally to those who are wealthy and those who are poor. There can be no option to buy one’s way out of justice. There must not be a different system of rules, practically speaking, for those with money and those without.
And yet, it’s historically been very easy for nations to wind up in that place. It certainly seems that those with money and access to better legal representation can often defer, delay, divert, distract, and obstruct justice indefinitely. This is NOT pleasing to God! The good news, as the Bible also makes clear, is that God’s justice will be done. On everyone. His justice will be perfect, final, and delivered at the due time, even if the world’s system is a mockery of justice. #FollowJesus