What Is Equity?

Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Some Bible words are more difficult than others to define in the strictest sense; equity is one such word. Yet, the Lord provides enough information for any diligent student willing to compare spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13). In Isaiah 59:14, the word equity relates to judgment, justice, and truth. The fact that the word equity occurs only ten times in scripture links it indirectly with the Ten Commandments. Within those ten occurrences, the word basically involves judging with equality based upon a just standard. Additionally, Judges 1:7 and 2 Chronicles 6:23 reveal that the related word requite means to get even or to return evenly. The Lord will prove in the future that this is the standard by which He judges (Psalm 98:9). Since believers are to be Christlike, this too should be true of His faithful followers.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God wants you to always try to do right. You see your best friend grab a toy away from another child who was playing with it first. After they start arguing, the adult asks you what happened. What should you say when you are asked who had the toy first?

• (For everyone): Where are some places that equity would be beneficial (i.e., government, schools, homes, etc.)? What would be the benefits of practicing equity in your life?

• Do you practice equity daily in your life? What kind of troubles do you face that could be easily solved with equity?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to help you to become more equitable in your judgment.

• Ask God to teach you the benefits of judging others based on an equal standard that is according to scripture.

SONG: Bless, O My Soul, the Living God

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Equity