To make righteous judgments (see Deuteronomy 1:16) calls for being impartial, judging purely according to the truth. Israel's judges could not give preferential treatment to the powerful. For judgment belongs not to man, but to God, where the authority of the law lies. And to underline this, Moses adds that where there is a case too hard for the leaders, they shall appeal for help to Moses, the faithful mediator of God and the man of God (Deuteronomy 33:1). This was to guarantee a society where justice reigned.
17 You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’