Doctrine of the Sacred Scripture # 85
85. To show from the Word that there are in it such paired expressions which seem to be repetitious of the same idea would be a tedious task, as it would take pages. However, in order to banish doubt, I would like to cite passages in which judgment and justice (or righteousness) are mentioned together, then passages in which nation and people are mentioned together, and then joy and gladness.
The following are passages in which judgment and justice (or righteousness) are mentioned together:
(The city) was full of judgment; righteousness spent the night.... (Isaiah 1:21)
Zion shall be redeemed in righteousness, and her former exiles in judgment. (Isaiah 1:27)
Let Jehovah Zebaoth be exalted in judgment, and God, the Holy One, shall be hallowed in righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16)
(He will sit) upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to...establish it with judgment and justice.... (Isaiah 9:7)
Let Jehovah be exalted, for He dwells on high, and He has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. (Isaiah 33:5)
...said Jehovah: “Maintain judgment, and do righteousness; for My salvation is near..., that My righteousness may be revealed. (Isaiah 56:1)
...as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the judgment of their God. They will ask of Me the judgments of justice. (Isaiah 58:2)
...swear, “as Jehovah lives, ” ...in judgment, and in righteousness. (Jeremiah 4:2)
...let him who glories glory in this..., that...Jehovah...(exercises)...judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 9:24)
Execute judgment and righteousness.... Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness, and his upper rooms without judgment.... Did not your father...do judgment and righteousness? (And) then it was well with him. (Jeremiah 22:3, 13, 15)
...I will raise to David a righteous Branch, who shall reign...as a king, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5, cf. 33:15)
If a man is just, who does judgment and justice.... (Ezekiel 18:5)
...if (the impious man) turns from his sin and does judgment and justice..., no mention...will be made against him; he has done judgment and justice; he shall surely live. (Ezekiel 33:14, 16, cf. 33:19)
I will betroth you to Me forever...in righteousness and judgment, and in mercy and compassion. (Hosea 2:19)
Judgment shall flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty torrent. (Amos 5:24)
...you have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood. (Amos 6:12)
...(Jehovah) pleads my case and executes judgment for me, (and) brings me forth into the light, and I see His righteousness. (Micah 7:9)
O Jehovah, Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are a great ocean. (Psalms 36:6)
(Jehovah) shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as noonday. (Psalms 37:6)
(Jehovah) will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your wretched with judgment. (Psalms 72:2)
Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of Your throne. (Psalms 89:14)
...when I learn the judgments of Your rightousness.... Seven times a day I praise You, because of the judgments of Your righteousness. (Psalms 119:7, 164)
(Gad) administered the justice of Jehovah, and His judgment with Israel. (Deuteronomy 33:21)
(The Spirit of truth) will indict the world...of righteousness, and of judgment.... (John 16:8, 10)
And so on elsewhere.
[2] Judgment and justice are mentioned so frequently because judgment is predicated of truths, and justice or righteousness of goodness. To execute judgment and justice, therefore, also means to be prompted to do so by truth and by goodness.
Judgment is predicated of truth, and justice or righteousness of goodness, because the Lord’s government in the spiritual kingdom is said to be one of judgment, while the Lord’s government in the celestial kingdom is said to be one of righteousness. Regarding this, see the book Heaven and Hell 214, 215.
Because judgment is predicated of truth, in some places we find mention of truth and righteousness, or truth and justice, as in Isaiah 11:5, Psalms 85:11, and elsewhere.
Isaiah 57
1
The righteous perishes, and no man lays it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].
2
He enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks in his uprightness.
3
"But draw near here, you sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the prostitute.
4
Against whom do you sport yourselves? Against whom do you make a wide mouth, and stick out your tongue? Aren't you children of disobedience, a seed of falsehood,
5
you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?
6
Among the smooth [stones] of the valley is your portion; they, they are your lot; you have even poured a drink offering to them. You have offered an offering. Shall I be appeased for these things?
7
On a high and lofty mountain you have set your bed; there also you went up to offer sacrifice.
8
Behind the doors and the posts you have set up your memorial: for you have uncovered to someone besides me, and have gone up; you have enlarged your bed, and made you a covenant with them: you loved their bed where you saw it.
9
You went to the king with oil, and did increase your perfumes, and did send your ambassadors far off, and debased yourself even to Sheol.
10
You were wearied with the length of your way; yet you didn't say, 'It is in vain.' You found a reviving of your strength; therefore you weren't faint.
11
"Of whom have you been afraid and in fear, that you lie, and have not remembered me, nor laid it to your heart? Haven't I held my peace even of long time, and you don't fear me?
12
I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you.
13
When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain."
14
He will say, "Cast up, cast up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling-block out of the way of my people."
15
For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16
For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always angry; for the spirit would faint before me, and the souls who I have made.
17
For the iniquity of his covetousness was I angry, and struck him; I hid [my face] and was angry; and he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18
I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts to him and to his mourners.
19
I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, Peace, to him who is far off and to him who is near," says Yahweh; "and I will heal them."
20
But the wicked are like the troubled sea; for it can't rest, and its waters cast up mire and dirt.
