Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 16:20 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Justice is a central theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God shows His deep concern for righteousness and fairness. In Deuteronomy 16:20, we find a powerful verse that highlights this truth. It calls God’s people to live by justice and make it a part of every aspect of their lives.
The Context of Deuteronomy 16:20 KJV
Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Law of Moses, also known as the Pentateuch. In Hebrew, Deuteronomy is called Devarim, which means “words.” These are the final words Moses spoke to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.
The people of Israel were about to start a new chapter in their history. They were moving from wandering in the desert to building a nation in Canaan. Moses wanted them to remember God’s laws and keep them close. He reviewed God’s commands and stressed the importance of obeying them fully.
Deuteronomy is not just a list of rules. It is a passionate appeal from Moses to love and obey the Lord. It covers laws about worship, leadership, daily life, and justice. These laws were to shape Israel into a holy and righteous society.
The Focus of Chapter 16
Deuteronomy 16 begins by explaining the major feasts Israel must observe: Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Tabernacles. These feasts helped the people remember God’s goodness and mercy.
After giving instructions for worship, the chapter shifts to leadership and justice. God does not want worship without obedience. True religion includes fairness, honesty, and righteousness in all areas of life.
Verses 18 and 19 speak about choosing just judges and avoiding bribery. Then we come to verse 20, which is the climax of this section on justice.
Deuteronomy 16:20 (KJV)
Let us look closely at the verse in the King James Version:“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, KJV
This verse may be short, but it is very powerful. It is a command from God, filled with wisdom and direction. It reminds the Israelites that justice is not a suggestion—it is a requirement.
Deuteronomy 16:20 Meaning
Let us now look at this verse phrase by phrase and explain what it means in simple terms.
“That which is altogether just shalt thou follow”
This phrase is the heart of the verse. In Hebrew, the original wording repeats the word “justice” twice: “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” This repetition is a way of giving strong emphasis. It means that God is not just asking for a little justice—He wants it fully and completely.
God tells His people to follow justice, not just admire it or speak about it. Following means taking action. It means living in a way that treats others fairly, obeys God’s laws, and refuses to do what is wrong.
Justice here means more than legal fairness. It also includes moral righteousness and honest living. It means doing what is right in every part of life—at home, in business, in government, and in worship.
This command applies to everyone. God is not only speaking to leaders or judges. He is talking to the whole nation. Every person is responsible for choosing what is right and rejecting what is wrong.
“That thou mayest live”
This phrase shows the purpose of following justice. God promises life to those who choose what is right. This “life” includes physical blessing, peace, joy, and the presence of God. It is a full and meaningful life.
In the Bible, life is often connected to obedience. Choosing justice leads to life. Choosing wickedness leads to death. God wants His people to live well and flourish, but that only happens when they live justly.
This life is not only about the present world. It also points to eternal life. The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the way to eternal life. But even in the Old Testament, we see that righteousness and faith in God bring true life.
“And inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”
Here we see a second blessing promised to those who follow justice. They will inherit the land. This refers to the Promised Land, the special land God had given to Abraham and his descendants.
But the land was not just a gift. It was also a responsibility. If the people wanted to stay in the land and enjoy its blessings, they had to obey God. Justice was one of the key requirements.
This shows that God’s blessings are not unconditional. He blesses those who honor Him. The Israelites were told clearly: if they were unjust, they would lose the land. This later happened when they were taken into exile.
So, this verse is both a promise and a warning. If they followed justice, they would live and prosper in the land. If they ignored justice, they would face loss and judgment.
Deuteronomy 16:20 Application in Life
Although this verse was given to Israel thousands of years ago, its truths still apply to us today. Let us explore how we can apply Deuteronomy 16:20 in our lives as Christians.
1. Pursue Justice Daily
God calls us to follow justice, not just believe in it. This means we must actively seek what is right in our daily choices. Are we fair in how we treat others? Are we honest in our work? Do we speak the truth?
Pursuing justice means we speak up when we see wrong. We do not turn a blind eye to evil. We support the weak, defend the innocent, and stand against corruption.
2. Don’t Compromise God’s Standards
The world often changes its idea of what is “right” or “just.” But as Christians, we must follow God’s standard of justice, not man’s. The Bible is our guide. It tells us what is good, what is wrong, and how to live.
We must avoid the temptation to compromise just to fit in or gain something for ourselves. Even when doing the right thing is hard, we must choose it. God honors those who stand for truth.
3. Justice Begins in the Heart
Justice is not just about legal matters. It is about the heart. Jesus taught that justice and mercy must come from within (Matthew 23:23). We must be pure in our motives and seek to do what is good for others, not just ourselves.
Ask God to make your heart like His—full of love, fairness, and truth.
4. Promote Justice in Society
God’s people are called to be a light in the world. That includes promoting justice in our communities. We can volunteer, support fair laws, vote wisely, and help those in need.
We should also pray for our leaders—that they will rule with justice. And if God calls us to leadership, we must lead with integrity.
5. Trust God to Reward Righteousness
God promises life and blessing to those who pursue justice. This does not mean we will always have an easy life. Sometimes doing the right thing brings hardship. But in the end, God rewards those who obey Him.
Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow weary in doing good, for we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Trust that God sees your efforts and will bless you in His perfect time.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 16:20 is a powerful verse that calls every believer to a life of justice. It reminds us that justice is not optional—it is central to the life God wants for His people. In a time when injustice often seems to rule, Christians must shine as examples of fairness, mercy, and truth. We are called to live differently, showing the world what the justice of God looks like in action.
As Micah 6:8 says:“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Let us follow Deuteronomy 16:20 with all our hearts, knowing that our God is a God of justice, and He delights in those who walk in His ways.
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