Just צֶ֫דֶק

We are in chapter nineteen of Leviticus with our word for today. צֶ֫דֶק accuracy, what is correct, right thing, what is honest, equity, righteous, righteousness. It is used 119 times in the Old Testament, 5 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of honesty. Psalm 52:3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is צֶ֣דֶק right. Most of the time our word is used in the sense of righteousness, adherence to what is required according to a standard. A good example of this is the introduction of the book of Proverbs where the writer connects wisdom to our word today. Proverbs 1:3 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in צֶ֥דֶק righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. This is how our word is used 5 times in our chapter today. Leviticus 19:15, 35-36 You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but בְּצֶ֖דֶק in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor … You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measures of length or weight or quantity. You shall have צֶ֣דֶק just balances, צֶ֗דֶק just weights, a צֶ֛דֶק just ephah, and a צֶ֖דֶק just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. As with other areas of our chapter these are very practical ways not to wrong one’s neighbor or fellow citizen. It is also gives more detail how to follow God’s earlier commandment not to lie, bear false witness, and steal. This is also emphasized later in Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 25:13-16 You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full וָצֶ֙דֶק֙and fair weight you shall have, a full וָצֶ֖דֶקand fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God. This is interesting that even though people may justify that having a weight or measure that allows one to cheat someone else in smaller portions is ok. God certainly does not agree. He calls this an abomination. In all of God’s people’s dealings they need to be above board open and honest. The reason why God demands this from his people we will look at with our phrase for tomorrow. I’ll close with these great words from Jesus that help us understand God’s teaching on dealing fairly and justly with others. Matthew 7:12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.