Bad Laws

Good morning!

I apologize for being away for a couple of days, in a place where internet access was not conducive to writing the daily post.

We are back in Isaiah, chapter 10.  There are so many riches in this chapter.  Let's focus on verses 1-3 this morning.  Here is the passage, from The Message:

"Doom to you who legislate evil,

who make laws that make victims - - - 

Laws that make misery for the poor

that rob my destitute people of dignity,

Exploiting defenseless widows,

Taking advantage of homeless children. 

What will you say on Judgment Day,

when Doomsday arrives out of the blue?

Who will help you?

What good will your money do you?

This passage is part of the diatribe that the prophet is spewing forth concerning God's anger toward the Hebrews.  Among other things, His people have been guilty of mistreating the poor, the widows, the homeless.  As we look at how Israel did this, let's see if we see any parallels today.  

1.  Israel had legislated evil laws, which robbed people of their dignity and produced victims.

I heard on the news this morning that only about 40% of the nation believes that they are part of "the middle class", as opposed to just a few years ago, when about 70% reported that they fit into that category. Without "getting political" here, I think that I can state unequivocally that we are living under a federal government that has legislated laws which have produced the current economic situation.  

2.  Individuals failed to care for the needy.

Look back at what God had commanded the Hebrews, in Deuteronomy 15:7 - - -

"If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers,

in any of the towns which the Lord your God is giving you,

you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother.

But, you shall freely open your hand to him,

and generously lend him sufficient for his need, in whatever he lacks."

God addresses this through Isaiah when He asks the hearers what good all their money would do them, all that money they had saved up, or spent on frivolous pursuits? (vs. 3)  God takes selfishness and materialism seriously, when there are people all around us who need help.  We all need to pray that God will open our eyes to see those all around us who are dying, both physically, emotionally and spiritually.  And, then, that He would show us specifically how we can do our part to help.

What God desires is two things:  

        a.  that governments pass laws which will allow the poor to make an honest living and maintain their dignity

It is up to us, as citizens, to bring about a government that does this, to speak out, to get involved politically, to vote, to hold our governments accountable.  There is a segment of evangelical Christianity that disdains political involvement.  Here's what they say, "Oh...we don't need to get involved in that; we need to focus on the spiritual needs of people."  Most of the time, "focusing on people's spiritual needs" means to these Christians attending church and throwing a little money in the offering plate now and then.  Well, yes, we do need to focus on people's spiritual needs, and not only as described above. We don't need to ignore spiritual needs of others.  However, God also makes it plain that we are to get our hands dirty by simultaneously meeting people's physical and emotional needs.  One of the best ways to do that is to ensure that godly laws get passed, not evil laws which will further enslave the poor and needy.

        b.  that His people, as individuals, help the poor, widows, homeless and orphans.  In the book of James, this is stated very strongly:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:

To look after orphans and widows in their distress

And to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

(NIV)

In The Message version, "orphans and widows" is translated "the homeless and loveless".  I would add, "the defenseless".

So, not only do we have a corporate, governmental duty to care for the needy, we have an individual mandate as well.  Just as it is wrong for us to sit back and watch "bad laws" get passed, it is equally wrong for us to sit back and expect the government to "do it all".  

Did you know that there are over 300 verses in the Bible, concerning the poor, social justice and God's intentions for both?  God wants to be our Heavenly Father and meet the needs of His children, through His children ... He never expected or desired that a government would take His place in that role.  But, what have we, His children done?  We have sat back and asked our government to take over that role.  This is wrong. God judged the Israelites for this type of behavior.

How did this happen to the Israelites?  The same way it has happened to us in our country.  God's people have gotten so enthralled with materialism that we can waste our time, money and resources on nonsense, while a neighbor does not have enough resources to feed/clothe/shelter his family.

I love to participate in our church's food pantry ministry.  Many churches have these, and in distributing food and personal care items to the needy, the gospel is shared.  Many people have come to know Jesus in this way, because this is how Jesus meant for needs to be met!  Don't you remember how many times in the New Testament it's recorded how Jesus fed the people before He preached to them?  How many times, He healed their diseases while saying, "Your faith has made you whole"?  It is all "part and parcel" of the same ... parcel!

This morning, I woke up before the alarm went off and thought about how, it's the first of the month....time to pay the bills this afternoon.  Then, I thought about and prayed for those who do not have money to pay the bills, who are perhaps waking up in anxiety this morning, wondering how they are going to care for themselves and their families.  And, lo and behold, where does God take me in the Scriptures this morning?  He is a good, good God....with a perfect sense of timing!

May this passage convict and challenge us.  When we get groceries, pick up some items that you will take to a Christian food pantry, one which will share the gospel as they share the food and personal items.  People!  Our food pantries ought to have a "storage problem"!  If we were all obedient, they should not have room to contain all of our contributions!  Pray and ask God where He would have you to "give back" to people who so desperately need Him!  He will show you; don't worry!  The need is great and the laborers few.  And, you are uniquely gifted.  The question is:  what will your answer be? May we all have the courage to answer His call!

O Father, "rescue the perishing"... this is Your command to us as it was to the Israelites.  If we turn away when You call us to be Your hands and feet, and mouth, eyes and ears, where then is the hope for "the loveless"? Where, Lord?  When you called Isaiah, in chapter 6, verse 8, he replied, "Here I am, Lord!  Send me!"  May we do the same!  We say we love You.  Here is a chance to prove it.  In Jesus' name, amen.