Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love (Hesed~covenant loyalty) and faithfulness (emeth/ truth, firmness, faithfulness) go before you.
Psalm 89:14
Helps Word Study on justice:
(SN 4941) mishpāṭ – properly, a judgment – based on a (legal) standard; preeminently, God's "yes" or "no" verdict, reflecting His eternal Essence; to judge, govern.
This root focuses on the moral standard – the basis of a judgment (more so than the process, [There is no OT term for "justice" per se that fits the limited meaning of justice in modern English.] In sum, this root focuses on the standard (basis) of a judgment, determines its moral, ethical and spiritual value. 4941 (mishpāṭ) is supremely used of God's judgments which are based only on the morality of His eternal Being.
With the Apostle James reminding us that mercy exalts above judgment, I want to look at the beginnings of Mary’s conception from Matthew chapter one. Joseph is described in the ESV as a “just man” unwilling to put her to shame. This word shame actually means to expose, make a show of, which has the power to produce shame but it actually means to expose.
Further it records Joseph considering. From Helps word studies we learn Joseph is ‘enthumeomai’ (from 1722 /en, "in a state or condition," intensifying 2372 /thymós, "passionate response") – properly, in a passionate frame of mind, easily agitated or quickly moved by strong, provoking impulses.
[This root (enthyme-) refers to "passionate supposing (surmising)" in a person's mind (heart) producing fervent, inner cogitation.]
How many times have we found ourselves in a situation knowing we were righteous in our thoughts, just, justified but perhaps from wrong judgments dispensing something that was unrighteous? Perhaps we even had scriptural precedent for our considerations.
Joseph, under the law, was allowed to ‘put her away’ which would have demanded exposure in order to condemn with the punishment of stoning.
We find a similar set of circumstances when Jesus is faced with judging the woman caught in adultery from John’s Gospel chapter eight. Jesus’ response is not one of condemnation but release and freedom. The scribes and Pharisees judge according to the flesh, John 8: 15, but Jesus says, his judgment is true because it is not his alone but in agreement with the Father. Jesus shows us judgment under the law of liberty.
Justice can only be right when we have first taken the time to allow our hearts and minds to align to our Fathers. We might have scriptural precedent to stand upon, much like Joseph, much like the scribes and Pharisees, but it’s holding the Spirit of wisdom and understanding to know what is righteous for each individual.
He (Jesus) will judge with equity, which is simply appropriate action for the individual situation. Equity is not fairness, rather that which is fitting. Equity with justice must be administered In meekness, (power under restraint). Jesus dispenses justice and mercy with equity in meekness. Mercy does not destroy justice, rather mercy fulfills justice. It is not a one size fits all kind of judgment, except in the ultimate rejection of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
The increase of His government and His peace are ours to administer. May righteousness and justice be the foundation for all we do.