Another interpretation, “judges and officers you shall place” – Rabbi Levi said: To what is this matter comparable? To a king who had many children, and he loved the youngest more than them all. He had a certain orchard, and he liked it more than all his possessions. The king said: ‘I will give this orchard that I like more than all my [other] possessions, to my youngest son, whom I love more than all my children.’
So, too, the Holy One blessed be He said: ‘From all the nations that I created, I love only Israel, as it is stated: “When Israel was a lad, I loved him” (Hosea 11:1). From everything that I created, I love only justice, as it is stated: “For I am the Lord, who loves justice”’ (Isaiah 61:8). The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘I am giving what I love to the people that I love.’ That is, “judges and officers.”
The Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: ‘My children, by your lives, in the merit of your preserving justice, I am exalted.’ From where is this derived? It is as it is stated: “But the Lord of hosts will be exalted through justice” (Isaiah 5:16). [God said:] ‘And as a result of you exalting Me through justice, I will perform righteousness and rest My sanctity in your midst.’ From where is this derived?
It is as it is stated: “And the Holy God will be sanctified through righteousness” (Isaiah 5:16). [God said:] ‘And if you keep both of them, righteousness and justice, I will immediately redeem you with a full redemption.’ From where is this derived? It is as it is stated: “So said the Lord: Maintain justice and act with righteousness, for My salvation is soon to come, and My righteousness to be revealed” (Isaiah 56:1).