…but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4 NIV
Judging with Righteousness
On September 1, 2022, Michelle O’Bonsawin of Odanak First Nation became the first Indigenous judge to serve on the Supreme Court of Canada. The fluently bilingual 48-year-old Abenaki was raised off-reserve in Hanmer, a small francophone community in northern Ontario. O’Bonsawin had previously become the first Indigenous Ontario Superior Court judge in 2017. As general counsel for the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group for eight years, she developed an expertise in legal issues related to mental health and conducted significant research into Gladue principles in the forensic mental health system.
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We live in a broken world. It is more obvious than ever that it will cost us to take a stand for truth and Christian values in our world. Many in our society, even within religious circles, publicly state that there is no truth. Those who declare such things will be in for a rude awakening one day. In His Holy Spirit-inspired prophecy about the coming of Jesus in Isaiah 11:4, the prophet says this: “…but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.” Jesus, whose birth we celebrate at this time of the year, is so far more than a baby in a manger. There is a day coming when He will stand as Judge, and Truth will reign. Jesus, the Judge and righteous King, will rule over all of His creation. What a contrast to the first Advent. Those of us who bear His righteousness call out, come Lord Jesus.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley