Whoever
oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker (Proverbs 14:31).
Among the prophets’
repeated complaints against Israel/Judah was their oppression of the poor. Woe
to those who make unjust laws . . . to deprive the poor of their rights and
withhold justice from the oppressed (Isaiah 10:1,2). On your clothes
is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor (Jeremiah 2:34). They
oppress the poor and needy (Ezekiel 22:29). You trample on the poor (NIV
1984, Amos 5:11).
A proverb that
really puts things in perspective is 19:17 – Whoever is kind to the poor
lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. What a
strange thought – to loan something to God. Surely we need not fear God
defaulting on his obligations.
And lest we dismiss
this as an Old Testament technicality that doesn’t really apply in a world
top-heavy with governmental social programs: Whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew
25:40).
In reading the
prophets we could almost get the idea we are innocent as long as we have not
intentionally oppressed the poor. In reading the whole of Scripture, however,
it becomes plain that it is not enough to not hurt others; we must actively
work for their benefit, to advocate for our brothers and sisters.
This is true whether
the you addressed is an individual, a church, or a nation.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
What can you do this week
to be a friend to the poor?
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