Equal has many meanings. It is defined in the following ways:
- Being in same quantity, size, degree or value (like for each member of a group, class, or society)
- regarding or affecting all objects in the same way
You hear people talk about equality and many in the workplace people in different departments may say things like “we are equals”. When we talk about fairness, we have to consider other factors. The definition of fair relative to this blog is:
“Marked by impartiality and honesty : free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism”
So, the question is, when you are considered fair, do you always treat people equally? The answer is no, fair is not always equal. All people desire to have fair and equal treatment however we have to consider the fact that our needs are different. Say for example, in a family there are parents and children of varied ages. When it is dinnertime, does every member of the family get the same portion of food? No, that would be silly, a small child does not require the same portion of food as the father, mother or teenage sibling. Therefore, the division of food is fair, but not equal. Each member of the family has different dietary needs and they each require a different number of calories each day to have good health.
It is the same with life, it is a JUST way of handling things. You need to observe the needs of each person and react with equality, impartiality and justice. That is how Jehovah and Jesus are.
Now let the fear of Jehovah be upon you. Be careful about what you do, for with Jehovah our God there is no injustice, no partiality, no bribe-taking.
2 Chronicles 19:7
Since Jesus is God’s son, he is the same, he does not approve of injustice or partial treatment of others nor taking bribes to turn tables in our own direction. The Bible tells us that God is not partial, he will treat all people fair according to what they deserve. Why does he do this? Don’t some people deserve partial treatment? That is NOT Jehovah’s viewpoint:
And He (Jehovah) made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell,
Acts 17:26
…Now I truly understand that God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
Acts 10:34, 35
For there is no partiality with God.
Romans 2:11
Justice is meant to be blind (impartial) and we know the scales should be level; that is the only way people see true justice. God is a lover of justice, and since he is perfect, he can enact perfect justice. He tells us over and over I the Bible, our guidebook for living a good life, about how to be we should view justice.
The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he.
Deuteronomy 32:4
You must not be unjust in your judgement. You must not show partiality to the poor or show preference to the rich. With justice you should judge your fellow man.
Leviticus 19:15
For Jehovah loves justice, and he will not abandon his loyal ones. They will always be guarded but the descendants of the wicked will be done away with.
Psalm 37:28
Jesus being God’s son also understood the importance of justice. When the religious leaders of his day were oppressing the people and burdening them with many tedious and difficult rules he called them out on their mistreatment of the people.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was necessary to do, yet not to disregard the other things.
Matthew 23:23
Finally, as you can see, equal is not always fair. Equality is not about fairness; it is about having what is deserved or needed at the time. We don’t all have the same needs therefore what is fair for me, may not be fair for you. I would like to share one last Bible thought that is so beautiful to me.
“But let the one boasting boast about this: That he has insight and knowledge of me, That I am Jehovah, the One showing loyal love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I take delight,” declares Jehovah.
Jeremiah 9:24
Insight and Knowledge of Jehovah (God), he shows loyal love, justice, impartiality, fairness and righteousness – PERFECTLY. So right now we may suffer due to current world conditions and we may not receive fair or equal treatment, we may be falsely accused and have many other things happen to us that are wrong, but if we are obedient to God’s commands (which are not burdensome), depend on him, have faith and trust in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, we will see better days. We will receive righteous justice and we will be treated with loyal love and impartiality. We can always count on Jehovah to provide his Holy Spirit (active force) protect us, support us and pull us through every challenging situation; we may not be removed from it, but we will get through it intact.
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