The Judge

Lore & Background

The role of the Judge appears in multiple contexts. God is portrayed as the supreme judge who judges nations and individuals: He will judge the nation that enslaved Israel (Genesis 15:14), and He judges between individuals, as when Sarai calls on the LORD to judge between her and Abram (Genesis 16:5). Rachel declares that God has judged her by giving her a son (Genesis 30:6). The Psalmist affirms that God judges the righteous and is angry with the wicked daily (Psalms 7:11). In the New Testament, Jesus states that the Father has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Human judges are also established. Moses initially judged the people alone (Exodus 18:13), but at Jethro's advice, he appointed judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to judge small matters, while bringing hard cases to Moses (Exodus 18:22, 18:26). These judges were to judge righteously, without partiality to the poor or mighty (Leviticus 19:15). They also handled legal cases such as theft (Exodus 22:8-9), injury to a pregnant woman (Exodus 21:22), and the case of a slave choosing to remain (Exodus 21:6). The judges of Israel were even commanded to execute those who joined Baal-peor (Numbers 25:5). The term 'judge' is also used in a tribal context: Dan shall judge his people as one of the tribes of Israel (Genesis 49:16). In a negative sense, the men of Sodom mockingly call Lot a 'judge' (Genesis 19:9), and Moses is questioned, 'Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?' (Exodus 2:14). The congregation also judges between the slayer and the avenger of blood (Numbers 35:24).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray the Judge as both a divine and human office. God is the ultimate Judge of all the earth, who judges righteously and is angry with the wicked (Genesis 18:25; Psalms 7:11). The Father has delegated all judgment to the Son (John 5:22). Human judges are appointed to resolve disputes and apply God's statutes (Exodus 18:16, 18:22). They must judge without partiality (Leviticus 19:15) and handle cases from theft (Exodus 22:8-9) to capital offenses (Numbers 25:5). The role is sometimes challenged (Exodus 2:14) or mocked (Genesis 19:9). The passages show a system where judges bear the burden of leadership (Exodus 18:22) and are accountable to God, who also judges between individuals directly (Genesis 16:5; Genesis 31:53).

Did You Know?

• God is called the Judge of all the earth who will do right (Genesis 18:25).
• The Father has committed all judgment to the Son, Jesus (John 5:22).
• Moses appointed judges to handle small matters while he handled hard cases (Exodus 18:22, 18:26).
• The tribe of Dan is prophesied to judge his people (Genesis 49:16).