In the Old Testament, God sent prophets to admonish the people and confront them with their sinful behavior. They called the people to repent and to live holy lives, as God is holy. They condemned the sins of injustice and oppression of the poor and vulnerable. The Prophet Isaiah denounced the sins committed by corrupt leaders of the nation of Israel, which God had chosen as His people: “They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them” (Isaiah 1:23, NIV). Through Isaiah, the Lord promised to bring his wrath and purge their impurities. God promised a future with righteous rulers when Jerusalem would be called the “City of Righteousness, the Faithful City” (Isaiah 1:28).
The Prophet Amos condemned those who mistreated the weak: “They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed” (Amos 2:6-7).
Micah expressed what the Lord required of his people: “only to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NABRE).
The Old Testament laws spoken by minor and major prophets worked then and now to stand for biblical justice. The Bible condemns injustice and commands us, individuals and nations, to act with justice and mercy.
Grand Canyon University has been training Christians in ministry since its inception. If you are interested in pursuing a career in ministry, GCU's College of Theology has many degree programs, including Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies.