Church and Society:

Abstract

“Justice” in Micah 6:8 means more than general faithfulness in human relations. It intends strict equity, absolute fairness, and even redress with regard to the rights of all. Succinctly stated, it is the equitable distribution of benefits within a given society, giving to all their due. “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice” (RSV). God’s command that His people “do justice” challenges their societal conscience as perhaps no other scriptural mandate. Here, He, who is the God of justice (Job 37:23) and whose throne is built upon the principle of justice (Ps 89:14), makes the goal of justice a primary stipulation of divine approval. This is not the sum of the church’s societal concerns, but the consequences of the activities which it assumes make it an urgent priority.