Justice

In the biblical context, justice is a fundamental attribute of God and a central theme throughout Scripture. It is often associated with righteousness, fairness, and the moral order established by God. The Hebrew word for justice, "mishpat," appears frequently in the Old Testament and conveys the idea of making right decisions based on God's law.

The Bible portrays God as the ultimate judge who executes justice perfectly. In Deuteronomy 32:4 , it is written, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the perfection and righteousness of God's justice.

Justice is also a key expectation for God's people. Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Here, justice is linked with mercy and humility, indicating that true justice is not merely legalistic but is deeply relational and compassionate.

In the New Testament, justice is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus embodies divine justice and provides a way for humanity to be reconciled to God. Romans 3:26 explains, "He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus." This passage highlights the dual nature of God's justice—He is both just and the justifier.

Favor

Favor in the Bible often refers to the grace and kindness bestowed by God upon individuals or groups. It is an expression of God's benevolence and is not earned by human merit but given according to His sovereign will. The Hebrew word "chen" and the Greek word "charis" are commonly translated as "favor" or "grace."

The concept of favor is evident in the lives of many biblical figures. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord, as stated in Genesis 6:8 : "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." This favor resulted in Noah being chosen to build the ark and preserve humanity and animal life during the flood.

Similarly, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was highly favored by God. In Luke 1:28 , the angel Gabriel greets her with, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." This divine favor set Mary apart for the unique role of bearing the Messiah.

Favor is also a theme in the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 4:18-19 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." This passage indicates that Jesus' ministry inaugurates a time of divine favor and salvation.

In the epistles, favor is often equated with the grace of God extended to believers. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Here, favor is synonymous with the unmerited grace that leads to salvation.

Justice and favor, while distinct, are interconnected in the biblical narrative. God's justice ensures that His favor is not arbitrary but is rooted in His righteous character. Together, they reveal the depth of God's love and the means by which He interacts with His creation.