Scriptural text: Deuteronomy 16:18-21; 17:8-13
General Goals (Deuteronomy 16:18-20):
Responsible People (v.18).
The gate was the place of public resort among the Israelites and other Eastern people, where business was transacted and causes decided. The Ottoman Porte derived its name from the administration of justice at its gates. But the word “gates” is evidently to be taken here in a larger sense as equivalent to ‘cities;’ and, accordingly, courts of various grades for the administration of justice were established in every town. There gradations of these tribunals-ordinary courts to those of ultimate appeal-presided over by officers of corresponding rank and authority.
Reliable Principles (vv. 19-20).
“Thou shalt not wrest judgment.”
Judges were not to give a perverse, forced, or unjust sentence.
“Thou shalt not respect persons.”
Judges were not to give sentence according to the quality of the person, his riches or poverty, friendship or enmity, but according to the justice of the cause.
“Neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.”
A gift biases the mind the judge’s mind, that he can not discern between right and wrong.
Specific Challenges (Deuteronomy 17:8-13):
Difficult Instances (vv. 8-11).
In especially challenging instances, Moses prescribed the steps and actions for those making judgment in a legal matter. The use thee refers to local judges or courts who were unable to resolve a particularly controversial or challenging legal case. In these situations, the involved parties were to go to the location chosen by God. The exact identity of the involved parties is unclear and should include either the tribunal of judges or the parties of the dispute. This place was mentioned previously in more detail as a place of sacredness-a place where the Lord would ‘put his name” (Deuteronomy 12:5, 21). In that place, in what became a central sanctuary, the Israelites offered their sacrifices, tithes, offerings, and vows (12:11). This location served Israel not only for its legal needs but also for its sacred and ceremonial needs.
Verse 9, “And thou shalt not come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee sentence of judgment.” For these challenging cases, the Levitical priests and the judge provided the final ruling. The exact identity of the judge is unknown.
Verse 10, “And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee.” Whatever sentence the judges and Levites render the involved parties must abide by that decision.
Verse 11, “According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.” Moses emphasized strict obedience to the sentence of the law and the judgment provided by the judges and Levites. All parties involved were not to deviate from the decision rendered.
Defiant Individuals (vv. 12-13).
These individuals who defied the ruling of the judge or the priest was described as acting presumptuously. Upon an initial inspection, that, the defiant individual shall die seems harsh or disproportionate to the initial act that brought them to the place to this place. Israel’s law described other instances that necessitated capital punishment, such as a rebellion against God, a false prophet, or an insubordinate family member.
References: Matthew Henry Commentary, Gill’s Commentary, KJV Standard Lesson Commentary