Deuteronomy 16:18-21 -

Model judges.

I. JUDGES OCCUPY A HIGH AND RESPONSIBLE POSITION .

1. They are necessary. They require to be set up "in all thy gates … throughout thy tribes."

2. They represent God ( Deuteronomy 1:17 ). They are called "gods" ( Psalms 82:1 ). They are clothed with a portion of God's authority ( Romans 13:1 ).

3. They are set to uphold the sacred interests of justice.

4. They may, by wresting judgment, or by hasty and wrong decisions, inflict irremediable injury on the innocent.

5. The right discharge of their functions conduces in the highest degree to the stability, happiness, and material prosperity of society.

II. JUDGES ARE REQUIRED TO EXECUTE JUST JUDGMENT .

1. They are not to be swayed by private partialities—political, social, ecclesiastical.

2. They are not to make distinctions between rich and poor, i . e . "respect persons."

3. They are not to accept bribes.

4. They are, as administrators of a justice which is impersonal, to judge in every case according to absolute right.—J.O.

HOMILIES BY R.M. EDGAR