Bible Reading: Isaiah 11,12 &13: Ephesians 4
“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins” Isaiah 11:4-5 (KJV).
When a people are ruled or governed in righteousness the society will enjoy peace and tranquillity. Laws promulgated in most countries are with good intentions but the execution and operation of such laws can be faulty. Ruling in righteousness connotes ruling with the fear of the Lord unbiasedly. It means doing the right things always. However, because of the limitation of man both in physical and spiritual knowledge, the intention of the law is distorted resulting in miscarriage of justice.
Justice can be miscarried intentionally and unintentionally. Unintentional miscarriage may occur as result of human limitation. A situation where the evidences points to an accused and case proven beyond human reasoning due to available evidences, but the truth which is unknown to the prosecutors is that the accused did not do the crime. Under such circumstances when the judge renders judgement against the accused it is unintentional. There are examples of cases revisited after the accused had suffered long or died and proven innocent posthumously. This is as a result of the limitation of man.
On the other hand, an intentional miscarriage of justice is judgement that are money or relationship induced. This is the case where the rich and highly placed individual use the law courts to oppress the poor. This breeds impunity in the society and inequality among men. A situation where some people can get away with doing wrong and are seen as above the law is tantamount to unrighteous rule. This is predominant in the world mostly in underdeveloped countries. Ruling in righteousness is divorced of intentional and unintentional miscarriage of justice. Proverb 14:34 (KJV) says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” When righteousness is involved in governance, truth will prevail in the rulership of a people.
Revelation and knowledge are the bedrock of truth, and righteousness delivers truth. We saw the manifestation of true justice in the early years of King Solomon. Righteousness will always produce truth. This true justice system that is lacking presently on earth due to the corrupt mind of the human race will be eliminated when Christ returns to rule the earth. The righteous rule of Christ is further foretold in Isaiah 16:5 (KJV), “And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness”
Concerning the rule of Christ, the scripture says in Isaiah 28:17 (KJV), “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and water shall overflow the hiding places.” When righteousness reigns the poor and the meek shall be adequately protected from the operation of the rich and the lies of the wicked. It is expected that a king shall reign in righteousness, but when the opposite is the case society suffer from inequality and gross miscarriage of justice. This is one of the yearning of the heart of the righteous in the land for the return of Christ to establish true justice and rule in righteousness.
Dear reader it is therefore very expedient that you embrace Jesus Christ now and make Him your Lord and Saviour for you to fit properly in His soon coming reign.
Prayer: Father, help me to live and act righteously as my lifestyle.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo