Readings for today: Deuteronomy 23-25, Luke 10:13-37, Psalms 75, Proverbs 12:12-14
“But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)
The Old Testament is full of passages illustrating God’s concern for justice and holiness and purity. His judgment often seems harsh and unforgiving. And yet there is great mercy as well. Imagine a society where people truly cared for the poor? Intentionally harvested in such a way that it left gleanings for those who did not own fields? Protected slaves and women and children? Imagine a society where profit was not the goal but care for our neighbor? Imagine a society where justice was defined by how we treated the immigrant, refugee, orphan or widow? You actually don’t have to imagine it because this is the society God ordained for Israel. This was the heart of the Law. To create heaven on earth. To set Israel up as a light unto the nations. An example for all humanity to follow. Listen to just a smattering of verses from our reading today.
“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.”
"You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.”
"If you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, as many as you wish, but you shall not put any in your bag. If you go into your neighbor's standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, but you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor's standing grain.”
“And if he is a poor man, you shall not sleep in his pledge. You shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you. And it shall be righteousness for you before the Lord your God.”
"You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns.”
"You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow's garment in pledge...”
"When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.”
Any nation that proclaims to be rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition must take these commands seriously. Any nation seeking the blessing of God must do things His way. Follow His commands. Push beyond their fear and place their faith in God’s provision and protection. Any nation that claims to serve God must do all it can to protect life from the womb to the tomb. The protection of life must form the foundation of it’s entire legal and social system. The welfare of all her people must be her passion and aim. Any nation that prays for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven must stand ready to actually live according to the heavenly code. It must exchange earthly expediency for heavenly authority. It must be willing to risk it all for the sake of her faithfulness to God.
I know we pray for God to bless America. We sing songs about the blessing of God. Our politicians end every speech with this sentiment. Friends, we will never receive God’s blessing until we walk in His ways. One cannot expect God to bless what He has already said He will not bless. One cannot expect to define justice apart from God and then claim His divine sanction. We must surrender as a nation. Bow our knee before the Lord. Trust Him. Believe Him. Place our faith in Him. Only then will we truly be “one nation under God.”
Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 26-27, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalms 76, Proverbs 12:15-17