The Dream of Justice: From Isaiah's Vision to Martin Luther King Jr.'s Dream

Jun 2

August 28th, 1963 - March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King speaks.

April 4th, 1968 - Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.

Where is justice? Where is fairness? Even after historic moments and sacrifices, oppression still remains.

"A king will reign in righteousness. See, a king will reign in righteousness, and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land." - Isaiah 32

No one in history has ever ruled with complete righteousness. This happens for two reasons. First, human nature is naturally self-centered in how we think, feel, speak, and act.

Because of this, we live in a world where we do not always know what is right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust.

So, when we look at society, we might think, "This is a mess! Our political system is corrupt, and so are our leaders. Some people are treated fairly, but others are not. Some have plenty, while others have little. Many people are oppressed and hurting. We need to elect new leaders, fix the system, or even change it completely."

Attempts to create justice often fail because we judge it by flawed standards shaped by our own views. Power struggles continue, and most people end up feeling left out and unhappy.

As you read this, you might agree, disagree, or even feel skeptical. But what makes me right and you wrong, or the other way around? That is the real issue. As the singer Dave Mason said years ago,

"So let's leave it alone, 'cause we can't see eye to eye.

There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy,

There's only you and me, and we just disagree."

History shows that we keep making the same mistakes. Power shifts from one group to another, but real justice is never reached. Instead, we see cycles of payback. We keep trying the same solutions, but the results rarely change.

In the same way, thousands of years ago, Isaiah pointed out the problems, failures, and injustices in his society. We can still see these same issues in our modern, high-tech world. But even as Isaiah criticized his society, he also shared a vision of a future where a truly righteous king would rule and appoint just leaders.

When Isaiah shares this vision, it reminds us of people like Martin Luther King, who also hoped for real justice in society.

"I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama, little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together." - Dr. Martin Luther King.

I believe that Isaiah's prophecy and Dr. King's dream will one day come true, but not through human politics or systems. Only a truly righteous authority can bring real and lasting justice.

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You can read more about it in the following references:

Isaiah 32 | NIRV Bible | YouVersion

Transcript of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech : NPR

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H Mark Taylor is An Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker with the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team.