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 56
1
Thus says Yahweh, "Keep justice, and do righteousness; for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
2
Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast; who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil."
3
Neither let the foreigner, who has joined himself to Yahweh, speak, saying, "Yahweh will surely separate me from his people;" neither let the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree."
4
For thus says Yahweh, "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and hold fast my covenant:
5
to them I will give in my house and within my walls a memorial and a name better than of sons and of daughters; I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6
Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, to minister to him, and to love the name of Yahweh, to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath from profaning it, and holds fast my covenant;
7
even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
8
The Lord Yahweh, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, "Yet will I gather [others] to him, besides his own who are gathered."
9
All you animals of the field, come to devour, [yes], all you animals in the forest.
10
His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they can't bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber.
11
Yes, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough; and these are shepherds who can't understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter.
12
"Come," [say they], "I will get wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, [a day] great beyond measure."
