February 7th, Leviticus 19-21
This week has been non-stop discussion about the mission of the Kingdom of God. Evangelism is one of those things, but the deeper discussion is doing justly and loving mercy. Not to be lazy but the words if chapter 19 express this better than I and it is God's word so...
Here's the frustration of my blog this week, I wanted to just insert Leviticus 19:9-18 and let it speak for itself. If someone could help me by posting that text as a comment I would appreciate it.
One last word about seriously plunging into justice issues comes from my class this week. "Mercy is pulling people from the river and offering help. Justice is going upstream and finding out why so many are falling into, getting pushed into the river and seeking ways to put a stop to it."
Stepping into the gap and using our strength as an asset for the widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor. That's kingdom work!!!
Showing posts with label poor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poor. Show all posts
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Friday, January 25, 2013
Ex 22-24 Widows, Orphans, Strangers, Poor
January 25th, Exodus 22-24
The heading for the blog I type in has a setting for normal. A drop down list has it as one of several options. Today's text could be a list of the same. Prior to this point in history God never laid out his expectations in such a full manner for all of society. Two things I see as the rules of society are unfolded by God...1. How concerned God is about matters of justice. 2. How often people say God is unjust.
It's clear from these chapters that our interactions with one another matter to God and when one wrongs another there is a price to be paid. Many of the laws revolve around stealing property, other gods, and social justice. In the week of honoring Dr Martin Luther King, it seems fitting. It becomes evident that God is looking out for those who could be lost and abused in society. The widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor are even spoken of as the people God defends. Oppressing them puts one in a position of God standing against you.
In any group of people (nations, families, business, social groups) there are people who exert power in those systems, and people who have that power enacted upon them. When things go wrong in those systems people in power use their power for their own end. People without power are forced to grovel, complain or be beaten down, living in a world of injustice. When things go right, people in power are willing to give up some of their strength for the benefit of those who need help(communisim forces it, a right heart offers it willingly thus the drastic difference). An interesting insight into systems is that people in power are generally delusional about how just things are in the system. People without power are keenly aware of justice issues, their awareness means survival.
This justice issue will come up many times as we move into the prophets later. The ways that powerful people abuse their power is astounding, but not surprising. How about you and I. Like Bruce Almighty do we use our strength just for ourselves, or are we choosing the way expressed in Exodus?
The heading for the blog I type in has a setting for normal. A drop down list has it as one of several options. Today's text could be a list of the same. Prior to this point in history God never laid out his expectations in such a full manner for all of society. Two things I see as the rules of society are unfolded by God...1. How concerned God is about matters of justice. 2. How often people say God is unjust.
It's clear from these chapters that our interactions with one another matter to God and when one wrongs another there is a price to be paid. Many of the laws revolve around stealing property, other gods, and social justice. In the week of honoring Dr Martin Luther King, it seems fitting. It becomes evident that God is looking out for those who could be lost and abused in society. The widows, orphans, strangers, and the poor are even spoken of as the people God defends. Oppressing them puts one in a position of God standing against you.
In any group of people (nations, families, business, social groups) there are people who exert power in those systems, and people who have that power enacted upon them. When things go wrong in those systems people in power use their power for their own end. People without power are forced to grovel, complain or be beaten down, living in a world of injustice. When things go right, people in power are willing to give up some of their strength for the benefit of those who need help(communisim forces it, a right heart offers it willingly thus the drastic difference). An interesting insight into systems is that people in power are generally delusional about how just things are in the system. People without power are keenly aware of justice issues, their awareness means survival.
This justice issue will come up many times as we move into the prophets later. The ways that powerful people abuse their power is astounding, but not surprising. How about you and I. Like Bruce Almighty do we use our strength just for ourselves, or are we choosing the way expressed in Exodus?
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