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by Kevin Pauley
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. - Proverbs 31:8 HCSB
It amazes me that this would even be in question. Just a few chapters before this one in Proverbs, Hashem warned, “If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, "But we didn't know about this," won't He who weighs hearts consider it? Won't He who protects your life know? Won't He repay a person according to his work?”[1]
There was a day when Christians understood their role in the establishment of racial justice. Christians led in the creation of the Underground Railroad which led escaping slaves from their bondage to their freedom. Martin Luther King Jr. led many Christians to overthrow the inequitable treatment of the blacks to the benefit of all the races in our melting pot nation. Those people were obeying the Lord God’s command that dictated that “The same law will apply to both the native and the foreigner who resides among you."[2]
There was a day when Christians understood their role in the establishment of socio-economic justice. Mother Theresa led the way in reaching out to the “untouchables” of India, throwing herself into service to the poor, the sexual slaves and the lepers. Toyohiko Kagawa deliberately chose to live in the slums of Tokyo, diligently working to bring justice to the poverty stricken. His efforts left a deep impression on the Japanese leadership. After the end of World War II, as Japan reeled from not only its defeat but also from the depths of depravity to which they had descended, the Prime Minister sent for Kagawa and said, "It is not our bodies that need help, it's our minds - our spirits. Dr Kagawa, you must help to put the spirit of Jesus into the hearts of our people. You must teach us how to love our enemies!" Those people took to heart God’s admonition to “Rescue the poor and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.”[3]
The array of injustice before us is as varied as the human imagination, but the fundamental issue remains the same. The fast that God chooses, the way we can truly worship Him is to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and to tear off every yoke.[4] We are to learn to do what is good; to seek justice; to correct the oppressor; to defend the rights of the fatherless and to plead the widow’s cause.[5] Along with personal integrity, there is no greater way to truly worship our God and Father.[6]
[6] James 1:27 cp Matthew 3:8; 7:16-20; 12:33; Luke 3:8; 6:43-44
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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