Deuteronomy 16:18-22; Deuteronomy 17:1-7
Different groups of people in responsible positions are presented to us up to the end of Deut. Deuteronomy 18. These are as follows: the judges, the kings, the priests, the Levites and the prophets in Israel.
The judges and the officers are the first to be mentioned. They have to judge the people "with just judgment," acting impartially, not receiving gifts (vv. 18, 19; Proverbs 18:5; Proverbs 24:23; Proverbs 17:23). James in his epistle stresses particularly the social relations of the believer: duties towards the neighbour, relations with the rich and the poor. He rejects respect of persons (James 2:1 . . .), selfishness and hardness of heart (James 2:15-16), greed and oppression (James 5:1 . . .) And so that we never forget just how low injustice can stoop he recalls: "Ye have condemned and killed the just . . . " (James 5:6). Not only had Israel not followed "that which is altogether just" (v. 20), but they rejected and crucified "the just upright man" (Job 12:4).
The need for two or three witnesses to establish a certain accusation or fact underlines just how fallible we are and how far we are separated from Christ, the only "faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14; John 8:14).