Wisdom says, “I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice” (8:20). Therefore, those who follow after wisdom will learn to appreciate and practice justice. In contrast, Solomon says, “Evil men do not understand justice…” (28:5). If we wish to be wise, then unlike the evil men, we must “understand justice.”
Dealing Justly with Others
The most basic and common application of justice is that we deal justly with others. Several passages in Proverbs speak to this.
“The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful” (12:5).
For one to truly deal justly with others requires a sense of justice that is not superficial, but that comes from his heart as an integral part of his character. Remember what Solomon says: “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (4:23). If we are to deal justly with others, our thoughts must be just.
“The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity” (21:15).
Those who are righteous will rejoice when justice is carried out. In contrast, this same exercising of justice will be a “terror” or “destruction” (KJV) to those who work iniquity. Why? It is just for sin to be punished and for righteousness to be rewarded.
“The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, the wicked does not understand such concern” (29:7).
The phrase, “rights of the poor,” refers to the application of justice – that the poor will be treated fairly. Often those who are rich are able to manipulate the justice system to their advantage (cf. 17:23). But Solomon is clear: “To show partiality to the wicked is not good, nor to thrust aside the righteous in judgment” (18:5; cf. 24:23; 28:21). In order for justice to be carried out, the rich must have no advantage over the poor. However, the poor are not to be given special treatment either, as this is also a perversion of justice. The Law of Moses was clear about this. After telling the people not to “pervert justice,” God adds: “nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute” (Exodus 23:2-3). For justice to be carried out, all men must be treated impartially as equals.
“Do not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set” (22:28).
“Do not move the ancient boundary or go into the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you” (23:10-11).
Brethren have often used the prohibition of moving these ancient landmarks to make the point that we should not try to change what God has revealed to us. This is certainly an important warning. But these passages, rather than containing warnings about our need to hold fast to the instructions which God has revealed to us, are about dealing justly with others. The “ancient boundary” would have been a marker to indicate the border of one’s property. When one moved these markers, he was essentially stealing land from his neighbor. Such stealing was obviously condemned (Exodus 20:15). But the wise man has a specific circumstance in mind in the second passage above: moving the boundaries to take land from “the fatherless.” These orphans would have no one to stand up for them. It is also likely that they would not even be aware that land was being taken from them. The point then is that we should not take advantage of others, even those who are powerless to stop us or who are unaware of the injustice being done to them.
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight” (11:1).
Solomon teaches us here that we are to deal justly in our business transactions. “Differing weights and differing measures, both of them are abominable to the Lord” (20:10; cf. 20:23). Why? These differing weights and measures make it possible for one to charge the same price for a lower weight of grain (or whatever else is being sold). As with moving the ancient boundary, it might be possible to use differing weights or a false scale and not get caught by those whom we are cheating. But that does not matter. God knows. Those who cheat others are an abomination to Him. Those who deal justly are His delight.
“The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him. The cast lot puts an end to strife and decides between the mighty ones” (18:17-18).
The first verse warns us against rushing to judgment before having all the facts and hearing both sides. The “cast lot” is a symbol of impartial judgment because the final outcome is unaffected by the will of man. Such impartial judgment is able to end strife and decide between mighty ones. Our exercising of justice must not be based upon human will or partial information, but upon an honest examination of all knowable facts in light of the truth.
“A wicked man receives a bribe from the bosom to pervert the ways of justice” (17:23).
At the beginning of this section on justice, we noticed this statement by Solomon: “Evil men do not understand justice” (28:5). Because they do not understand justice and the value of it, they are willing to receive bribes in order to “pervert the ways of justice.” Wicked men value material things over that which is right and fair. Those who are righteous will value justice over riches.
“A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity” (19:28).
A “rascally” or “ungodly” (KJV) witness is one who does not speak the truth, as opposed to a “trustworthy witness [who] will not lie” (14:5). A lying witness “makes a mockery of justice” because justice is impossible without truth.
“The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice” (21:7).
When justice is not carried out, there are negative consequences. Those who commit violence (robbery, KJV) are dealing unjustly with others. Because they refuse to treat others as they ought to treat them, they will eventually suffer for it themselves, either in this life as their fellow man carries out justice against them or after this life following their appointment at the judgment seat of God.
“Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice” (13:23).
The “fallow ground” or “tillage” (KJV) of the poor is the land he is able to cultivate to provide for himself. By His providence, God has provided abundant blessings to man that can be obtained by working hard and exercising wisdom. But when one deals unjustly with the poor man by taking away his land or his ability to cultivate it, he is robbing him of the blessings which he might have received by God’s providence. If we fail to practice justice with our fellow man, we are standing in the way of their receiving divine blessings.
God Will Deal Justly with Us
One reason why it is so important to deal justly with others is because God will deal justly with us.
“A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern” (16:11).
God is perfectly fair and impartial. His balance and scales are just. In the King James Version, the second phrase in this verse is translated, “All the weights of the bag are his work.” The point is that anything that is fair and just is of God. Therefore, in any dealings He has with man – whether it is in revealing His will or judging us in the end – God will be impartial in judgment.
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape” (19:5).
Those who are false witnesses are guilty of two offenses. First, and most obviously, they lie. Second, by testifying falsely about or against others, they are preventing others from receiving just treatment from men (cf. 19:28). It is no wonder then that God would punish those who offer false testimony.
“The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both” (29:13).
Both men – the poor man and the one who oppresses him – are subject to divine judgment. The phrase, “the Lord gives light to the eyes of both,” means that God provides life and the ability to understand truth (and with understanding truth comes an understanding of justice) to both men. The oppressor has no excuse for treating others in the way that he does. God, as his Maker, will hold him accountable.
