Injustice
Oh, if we could only have our day in court.
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: "Can a mortal be of use to God? Can even the wisest be of service to him? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless? Is it for your piety that he reproves you, and enters into judgment with you? “Agree with God, and be at peace; in this way good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored, if you remove unrighteousness from your tents, if you treat gold like dust, and gold of Ophir like the stones of the torrent-bed, and if the Almighty is your gold and your precious silver, then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways. When others are humiliated, you say it is pride; for he saves the humble. He will deliver even those who are guilty; they will escape because of the cleanness of your hands." Then Job answered: "Today also my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his dwelling! I would lay my case before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would learn what he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; but he would give heed to me. There an upright person could reason with him, and I should be acquitted forever by my judge. - Job 22:1-4,21-23:7
Job reasons that God is just, so He will give Job a hearing and grant him an acquittal.
Isn't that what we all hope for? Don't we want a fair trial if wrongfully accused?
God is just, so we should be able to get His ear and be redeemed. But can we find justice in our world?
Our justice system is undergoing a change. It is believed to be unjust and unfair.
But what is it that is broken?
If we no longer trust a jury of our peers to pass judgment on us, and instead have a district attorney decide whether a case should even be tried or not, where is the justice?
We cannot be God, so instead we put our trust in twelve of our peers. The judge instructs the jury on the law and the jury decides.
If we believe the justice system is broken, what are we saying? Aren't we saying we no longer trust our peers?
Isn't it the job of the lawyers to help select these peers so they will be fair?
Sure, each wants people who will be sympathetic to their side of the case, but that is what helps make it fair, isn't it?
When we lose trust in one another, what hope is there for us?
Can one person with his or her own prejudices be trusted to be fair, rather than twelve?
Maybe, like Job, we need an audience with God to get answers.
More to come...