justiceBecause he was king of Israel, Solomon’s proverbs to his son often addressed matters of justice and leadership that are apropos for all times and nations. Today’s proverb, perhaps more than any other we have studied this year, succinctly sums up America’s political and social troubles.

Proverbs 17:15 – “He that justifieth [clears; declares righteous] the wicked [ungodly; morally corrupt], and he that condemneth [troubles; violates] the just [righteous], even they both are abomination [abhorred; disgusting] to the LORD.”

Solomon identifies two examples of injustices God abhors in this proverb.  The first injustice God detests is declaring the wicked right or just.  My friend, herein is one of the great sins of the United States; our nation is riddled with leaders, judges and politicians who applaud the wicked and condemn any who dare call sin what it is—a great offense against God!

Our political, judicial, educational and religious leaders are leading our society down a road that is an “abomination to the Lord” and demands His judgment!  The wicked, embolden by the silence and complacency of America’s pulpits and pews, are indoctrinating our children in our schools and our neighbors through the media.  Under the guise of political correctness and equal rights, the unborn are killed, homosexuality is applauded and the criminal is a victim!al sharpton

The second abomination in Proverbs 17:15 is the condemnation of the just [the righteous and upholders of the law]. America’s national unrest highlights this proverb in a way I dare not avoid.

Community agitators have organized and coordinated rallies and riots in major cities across our nation, defending the criminal, encouraging lawlessness while condemning the last line of defense against societal chaos—law enforcement.  Are there instances of “cop overreach” and abuse?  Absolutely, but those are exceptions and not the rule.  America is facing an increasing wave of lawlessness because she has betrayed God and rejected His Word.

Many elements of society are to blame for the prevalence of corruption and injustice that has engulfed our nation; however, the responsibility must ultimately be laid where it belongs—on the home and in our churches.  Parents have failed to instill in their children a standard of moral responsibility and a sense of right and wrong. God's LawChurches have failed to boldly teach and declare the Law of God and the guiding principles of God’s Truth.  Christians occupy pews in churches that entertain them, but fail to challenge them to be the “salt of the earth…and light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). I close with Isaiah’s prophecy against Israel that should serve as a warning to the United States.

Isaiah 5:20, 23 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter…23  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”

Copyright 2014 – Travis D. Smith