Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
King Solomon was feared and respected in the land of
Israel because he administered justice in the land. It is significant to note
that King Solomon’s ability to administer justice in the land was on account of
the wisdom of God in him. On his own, Solomon would not have been able to
administer justice in the land. But because Solomon had earlier on asked God
for wisdom; an understanding heart to judge the people of God so that he would
be able to discern between good and evil; he was able to administer justice in
the land. The Bible records that the request of Solomon pleased the Lord and
God Who always exceeds the expectations of His loved ones gave Solomon
additional blessings. Please see 1st Kings Chapter 3 verses 1 to 28,
take note of verses 9 to 14, 27 to 28 and Ephesians Chapter 3 verse 20.
The example of Solomon implies that the
administration of justice in any land is pivotal and therefore a critical
factor of peace, economic prosperity, infrastructural and human capacity
development in the land. That explains why the mother of King Lemuel counseled
King Lemuel to avoid promiscuity and intoxicating drink so that he would give
prime attention to the law; he would not forget the law and pervert justice in
the land. She further counseled him to speak for the speechless, the voiceless
and vulnerable in the society; judge righteously and plead the cause of the
poor and needy in the land. Please see Proverbs Chapter 31 verses 1 to 9. This
counsel is very significant for anyone who aspires to lead over people. This is
because justice is a firm ladder for leading successfully and living a legacy
of peace, economic prosperity and happiness in the land.
Additionally, the administration of justice always
brings healing to the land. The nation of Israel under the leadership of King
Saul killed some Gibeonites, an ethnic group that Joshua and the leadership of
Israel promised to protect and allow live in Israel. Though this act of
injustice was waved aside during the leadership of King Saul; that seeming justifiable action
cost Israel food security and prosperity many years after as the land was
ravaged by famine. Fortunately, King David wisely sought the face of God
concerning the lingering famine in the land and God gave the reason.
Significantly, it was after the unjustly shed innocent blood of the Gibeonites
was atoned that the land was healed. Please see 2nd Samuel Chapter
21 verses 1 to 14, Joshua Chapters 9 and 10. In spite of the fact that the
Gibeonites were an ethnic minority group in Israel (Wood cutters and water
fetchers and carriers); God took notice of the acts of injustice against them.
Until that injustice was redressed, the land suffered.
Beloved, God hates injustice at any levels. That is
why the Bible severally warns against acts of injustice even amongst spouses,
friends, business partners, nations and communities. Please see Proverbs
Chapters 28 verse 16; 23 verses 10 to 11; 20 verse 23; 17 verse 23, Deuteronomy
Chapters 16 verses 18 to 19; 17 verses 16 to 20; 24 verses 10 to 17; 25 verses
14 to 16; Malachi Chapter 2 verses 13 to 16, Jeremiah Chapter 5 verses 16 to 31.
King Ahab refused to deal with the spirit of
covetousness that held him captive and violated God’s divine instructions by
coveting the vineyard of seemingly helpless citizen Naboth. Naboth was
subsequently falsely arraigned by Jezebel, the wife of Ahab. Tried by an unjust
court made up of Jezebel’s cronies, Naboth was sentenced to death and his
vineyard was taken over by Ahab. As seemingly helpless as Naboth appeared in
the eyes of Ahab, Jezebel and their cronies, Naboth was actually not helpless
as God who reigns in the affairs of humans wherever they are located took note
of the great act of injustice against Naboth and acted promptly. Ahab and his
wife alongside their lineage were judged and sentenced by God.
Beloved, God hates injustice but He also loves the
perpetrators of injustice and wants to them to repent so that the lands they
live in or rule or lead can be healed. It is not too late for repentance at
family, community or national level so that God’s healing streams of
forgiveness and redemption of both humans and the land can flow ceaselessly for
the lands to be healed. God is waiting, patiently for the process to commence
now and you can actually jump-start it by asking God for repentance. You may not
be one of the perpetrator’s but you can stand in prayer, fervent intercession
for the healing of the land so that God can stay judgment in the land. God
bless you as you do so. Shalom.
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