That which is altogether just shalt thou follow that thou mayest live and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.Deuteronomy 16:20 Explainer ## Introduction - In Plain Language: Pursue complete justice so that you and your people may live and possess the land God gives you. - Big idea: God calls his people to actively seek wholehearted justice because justice leads to life and covenant blessing. - Key points: - The verse commands an active, relentless pursuit of justice—“justice” repeated for emphasis. - Justice is tied to life and to receiving God’s promised inheritance. - This instruction fits within a larger call for fair judges and an orderly, covenantal society. ## Context - Where this verse fits in: Deuteronomy is Moses’ farewell instruction to Israel before entering the Promised Land. Chapter 16 moves from festival laws to practical rules for public life—especially how to appoint judges and handle justice. - Story timeline: Late Bronze / early Iron Age setting; Moses speaks to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, shortly before they cross into Canaan. The immediate audience is the entire covenant community about to become a nation in its own land. - Surrounding passage: Verses immediately before (Deut. 16:18–19) command the appointment of honest judges and prohibit perverting justice or taking bribes. Verse 16:20 gives the overarching ethic—pursue justice—then the passage shifts after v.20 to other religious regulations (e.g., v.21 on not planting a grove near the altar), showing law for both public life and worship. ## Explanation - Quick take: This verse is a short, forceful command: chase after full justice because doing so preserves life and secures the blessing of the land God is giving you. - In Depth: - The Hebrew repeats the root for justice—often rendered “justice, justice” or “righteousness, righteousness”—which signals intensity: don’t settle for partial fairness. Pursuit (the verb translated “follow” or “pursue”) is active: justice is not passive or only theoretical; it must be sought out and enforced. - The promised result is practical and theological: “that thou mayest live” can refer to the community’s flourishing and survival, not merely individual spirituality. In an agrarian, covenantal context, societal justice leads to stability, social health, and the ability to inherit and keep the land. - In context, the verse anchors the legal instructions: appoint fair judges, reject bribery and favoritism, and create a system where justice is the defining characteristic of the community under God. ## Key Words - Tsedeq / Tzedek (צֶדֶק): “justice” or “righteousness” — here emphasizing moral and legal rightness for the community. - Tirdof (תִּרְדֹּף): “you shall pursue” or “you shall follow” — connotes active, determined pursuit. - Yarash (יָרַשׁ): “to inherit/possess” — tied to covenant promise of the land. ## Background - Ancient Near Eastern courts often favored elites and bribery; Deuteronomy pushes back, commanding a legal order that protects the weak and resists corruption. - Repetition for emphasis is a Hebrew style: doubling “justice” intensifies the command (think “justice, justice—no less”). - In covenant thought, land and life are linked to obedience: social ethics (justice) are a core part of keeping covenant blessings. ## Theology - God’s rule is just: Israel is called to mirror God’s character by making justice central to public life. - Justice is not optional religion; covenant faithfulness includes social responsibility. - The promise connection: justice contributes to communal flourishing and is tied to God’s gift of the land. ## Application To Your Life - For workers/employers: Treat employees and colleagues fairly; resist shortcuts and favoritism. Workplace policies that protect and fairly compensate people reflect biblical justice. - For parents: Teach children fairness, honesty, and standing up for those who can’t defend themselves. Model following “what is right” in small daily decisions. - For leaders/public servants: Design and enforce systems that are transparent and resist corruption—justice must be structural, not just personal. - For seekers/new believers: Justice matters as evidence of a living faith; spirituality that ignores how we treat others is incomplete. - Reflection question(s): - Where in my life or community is “justice” being avoided because it’s inconvenient or costly? - What practical step can I take this week to pursue justice for someone who is vulnerable or overlooked? - Short prayer: Lord, give us boldness to pursue complete justice in our homes, workplaces, and communities, and show us how that pursuit leads to life and blessing. ## Translation Comparison - KJV: “That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” - ESV: “Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” - NIV: “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.” - NLT: “Do what is right and just, for this will mean life for you and will bring you into possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you.” - Why differences matter: Translators handle the doubled Hebrew word (צֶדֶק צֶדֶק) in different ways—“justice, and only justice,” “justice and justice alone,” or simply intensified “do what is right.” Some versions emphasize action (“pursue”/“follow”), others the outcome (“do what is right”). These choices affect how readers see the command: as a moral priority, as an exclusive focus, or as energetic pursuit. ## FAQs - Q: Does this verse mean justice is more important than mercy or other virtues? - Short answer: The verse strongly emphasizes justice, but the Bible values multiple virtues (mercy, faithfulness, love) together. In Deuteronomy’s immediate legal context, justice in public life is being foregrounded because fair law and courts are essential for the covenant community’s survival. Elsewhere Scripture links justice and mercy (e.g., Micah 6:8), showing they are complementary. So Deut 16:20 stresses justice here because corrupt courts and favoritism would destroy the community; it doesn’t cancel other virtues. - Q: How should a modern church or community “pursue justice” practically? - Short answer: Practical pursuit of justice looks like equitable policies, protecting the vulnerable, fighting corruption, and making sure institutions are fair. For a church that means honest governance, fair hiring and pay, ministries that help the marginalized, and advocacy for systemic change where needed. On a personal level, it means refusing bribes or favoritism, speaking up for those who are oppressed, and influencing civic life toward fairness. Pursuing justice often requires sustained effort, courage, and institutional change—consistent with the verb “pursue” in the verse. ## Cross References - Deuteronomy 16:18–19 — Commands about appointing judges and rejecting bribes (direct legal context). - Amos 5:24 — “But let justice roll on like a river…” (prophetic call for justice as central to worship). - Micah 6:8 — “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly…” (justice paired with mercy and humility). - Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression…” (action-focused justice). ## Deeper Study - Commentary synthesis (high-level): Most commentators note the repeated “justice” as emphatic and connect the verse to the legal instructions just before it. The verse ties ethics to covenant blessing: social order grounded in justice allows the community to live and keep the land. Rabbinic tradition often reads the repetition as a call to pursue justice even beyond the minimum—repairing wrongs and restoring rights. The New Testament echoes the theme that outward religion is hollow without ethical living. - 3–4 bullets for group study: - Read Deut 16:18–20 aloud; discuss what “pursue justice” would look like in your town this year. - List three local systems (schools, courts, workplaces) where justice could be strengthened—brainstorm action steps. - Role-play a situation where bribe or favoritism is offered—how to respond faithfully and practically. - Reflect on whether your church’s structures promote justice; identify one structural change to pursue. ## Related verses (to compare and contrast) - Amos 5:24 — “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” Why: Both insist that justice is central to God’s people; Amos adds prophetic urgency and imagery of abundance. - Micah 6:8 — “Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.” Why: Micah pairs justice with mercy and humility, showing the broader ethical life that complements Deut’s legal focus. - Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless…” Why: Isaiah ties justice to concrete care for the vulnerable, expanding the social implications of Deut 16:20. ## Talk to the Bible Try the ‘Talk To The Bible’ feature to explore this verse interactively. Suggested prompts: - “Show me examples in the Old and New Testaments where pursuing justice led to national or personal flourishing.” - “How would the command ‘pursue justice’ apply to modern government policy or church governance?” - “Give three practical, faith-based steps our small group can take this month to pursue justice in our neighborhood.”
