Judges Are Appointed

(Deuteronomy 1.9-18)

The next morning Moses sat down at the place where he decided legal cases for the people, and everyone crowded around him until evening.

These judges can handle the ordinary cases and bring the more difficult ones to you. Having them to share the load will make your work easier.

They served as judges, deciding the easy cases themselves, but bringing the more difficult ones to Moses.

Suppose a pregnant woman suffers a miscarriage as the result of an injury caused by someone who is fighting. If she isn't badly hurt, the one who injured her must pay whatever fine her husband demands and the judges approve.

But if the thief isn't caught, some judges will decide if you are the guilty one.

Suppose two people claim to own the same ox or donkey or sheep or piece of clothing. Then the judges must decide the case, and the guilty person will pay the owner double.

Don't accept bribes. Judges are blinded and justice is twisted by bribes.

and others became judges. I gave these judges the following instructions: When you settle legal cases, your decisions must be fair. It doesn't matter if the case is between two Israelites, or between an Israelite and a foreigner living in your community.

After I gave these instructions to the judges, I taught you the Lord's commands.

Treat Everyone with Justice

Moses said to Israel:

After you are settled in the towns that you will receive from the Lord your God, the people in each town must appoint judges and other officers. Those of you that become judges must be completely fair when you make legal decisions, even if someone important is involved. Don't take bribes to give unfair decisions. Bribes keep people who are wise from seeing the truth and turn honest people into liars.

then both you and the accused must be taken to the court at the place where the Lord is worshiped. There the priests and judges will find out if you are lying or telling the truth. If you are lying and the accused is innocent,

The judges and other leaders from the towns around there must find out what town is the closest to where the body was found.

They and some of the priests will take this cow to a nearby valley where there is a stream, but no crops. Once they reach the valley, the leaders will break the cow's neck. The priests must be there, because the Lord your God has chosen them to be his special servants at the place of worship. The Lord has chosen them to bless the people in his name and to be judges in all legal cases, whether property or injury is involved.

Whipping as Punishment for a Crime

Moses said to Israel:

Suppose you and someone else each accuse the other of doing something wrong, and you go to court, where the judges decide you are guilty. If your punishment is to be beaten with a whip, one of the judges will order you to lie down, and you will receive the number of lashes you deserve.

Moses had said that everyone in Israel was to go to the valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where they were to be blessed. So everyone went there, including the foreigners, the leaders, officials, and judges. Half of the people stood on one side of the valley, and half on the other side, with the priests from the Levi tribe standing in the middle with the sacred chest. Then in a loud voice, Joshua read the blessings and curses from The Book of the Law of Moses.

Caleb's Land

(Judges 1.12-15)

Joshua gave Caleb some land among the people of Judah, as God had told him to do. Caleb's share was Hebron, which at that time was known as Arba's Town, because Arba was the famous ancestor of the Anakim.

One day he called a meeting of the leaders of the tribes of Israel, including the old men, the judges, and the officials. Then he told them: I am now very old.

We Will Worship and Obey the Lord

Joshua called the tribes of Israel together for a meeting at Shechem. He asked the leaders, including the old men, the judges, and the officials, to come up and stand near the sacred tent.

The Lord Chooses Leaders for Israel

From time to time, the Lord would choose special leaders known as judges. These judges would lead the Israelites into battle and defeat the enemies that made raids on them.

In years gone by, the Israelites had been faithful to the Lord, but now they were quick to be unfaithful and to refuse even to listen to these judges. The Israelites disobeyed the Lord, and instead of worshiping him, they worshiped other gods.

I can tell those proud people, “Stop your boasting! Nothing is hidden from the Lord, and he judges what we do.”

when I let judges rule my people. And I have kept your enemies from attacking you. Now I promise that you and your descendants will be kings.

when I let judges rule my people, and I will keep your enemies from attacking you. Now I promise that like you, your descendants will be kings.

He said, “Twenty-four thousand of the Levites will be in charge of the temple, 6,000 will be temple officials and judges,

Other Officers Are Assigned Their Duties

Chenaniah from the Izhar clan and his sons were government officials and judges. They did not work at the temple.