Discovering Justice in the Old Testament: A Small Group Bible Study

Before the Constitution, before the Magna Carta, before the Roman Empire and its Senate, there was the Covenant revealed on Mount Sinai by God and proclaimed by Moses. It includes the Ten Commandments. Interpretation of these laws soon followed. What evolved laid the foundation for community. Over the years it has influenced the world view which led eventually to the creation of our constitution.
Discovering Justice is about justice and the way it is defined, enacted and promised in the Bible. The call for justice is the call to set right what is not right (injustice). It is a call for fairness and equity in our relationships with God and each other.
This small group Bible study, student edition, is divided into three parts. Part One: Justice Defined begins with the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and ask, What Is Justice? And then, What Does God Require of Us? Chapters one through four include: 1. What Is Justice? 2. Love People 3. A Second Chance. 4. Love God.
Part Two: Justice Enacted continues with how some of the kings did or did not implement these laws. Saul, David, Solomon, Joram, and Jehoshaphat reveal by their actions how they interpret God’s command for justice. Chapters five through nine highlight the kings: 5. Saul and Samuel. 6. David. 7. Solomon. 8. Joram and Elisha. 9. Jehoshaphat.
Part Three: Justice Promised closes with the promise of justice as proclaimed by the psalmist and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. Chapters ten through thirteen are called: 10.
the Promise of Justice. 11. The Promise of Hope. 12. The Promise of Just Leadership. 13. The Promise of Peace.
The book closes with a brief recommended reading list on justice. A leader's guide edition will soon be available with additional background and Biblical commentary plus suggestions for group actions.