Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
You must not show favoritism when making decisions in court. Listen to both the poor and the powerful with equal attention. Don't be intimidated by anyone, because you are making God's decisions, not your own. If a case is too difficult for you to handle, bring it to me and I will decide it.
Moses is telling the judges to treat everyone fairly regardless of their status, because they represent God's justice, and to bring the hardest cases to him personally.
📚 Historical Context
Moses was speaking to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, establishing a system of judges to handle disputes among the people. This was part of Moses' final instructions before his death, as the nation would need organized leadership and fair justice systems. The Israelites were transitioning from a nomadic tribe to a settled nation that would need proper legal structures.
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