Not all the cases that came before an appointed judge were straightforward. There would come times where he might find a case perplexing and difficult to deal with. He was not to act presumptuously.
Deuteronomy 17:8-9 said the judge could go a higher
authority at the place which the Lord God
had chosen and refer the case to the presiding Levitical priest. Verse 9
implied that the presiding priest would have other priests he could discuss with
before making the final judgment. The verse reads, “So you shall come
to the Levitical priest or the judge who is in office in
those days, and you shall inquire of them and they will
declare to you the verdict in the case.”
In
coming to the Levitical priest in office, the case was in effect being heard by
God, the highest authority. In consultation with the council, the decision the
Levitical priest would give would be viewed as God’s decision. The verdict
given must be taken seriously, and be strictly adhered to. A person who did not
adhere to the verdict was liable to the death sentence. The idea here was to use
the case as a deterrent so that evil would not be perpetuated among them.
God
alone is the true guardian of righteousness and justice. In Him, true justice is
found. That’s why any perplexing case must be brought to the presiding priest, at
the place where God had chosen for the final verdict. This place where true
justice could be found also points us to the need for ministers to be righteous
upholders of truth. They must do their utmost best to expound and enforce the
instructions of God. Any refusal to adhere to God’s prescribed ruling is tantamount
to rebelliousness. Such a presumptuous sin should not be tolerated. As people
of God, we must be defenders of the truth by upholding it faithfully. We are
representatives of God!
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