Deuteronomy 16-17

“Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly” (16:18). Rather than each person taking justice into their own hands, Moses taught the Israelites to respect the decisions of community leaders. “Be careful to do everything they instruct you to do” (17:10). Radically, even the king was to obey the law and “not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites” (17:20). Only God is perfectly righteous and just (17:19).

“Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you” (16:20). Knowing our human weaknesses, God gives us laws and leaders to help us live together peacefully.