Scripture:
Romans 13:1
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has
established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God.
Reflection:
The concept that God would side with the poor and the
oppressed in their efforts to resist injustice, I have to
admit, is a new way of thinking for many people. The
idea that God might side with revolutionaries against
ruling establishments and governments is hard for many
people to accept. Going along with the above verse
Romans 13:1 is that those who ruled were ordained
by God to do so. However, given the options available
to poor people, have changed many peoples minds.
They have come to believe that a truly righteous God
would have to stand with the poor in their struggle for
justice.
That, for the sake of justice, God sides with the poor
and oppressed permeates the Scriptures. Any careful
reading of the Bible would lead one to this conclusion.
In the history of Israel, the Scriptures tell how, when Jews
found themselves enslaved in Egypt, God spoke to them
that he had heard their cries. The God of the Jews
declared Himself to be of God who would fight for them
and deliver them from their oppressors and would lead
them into the promise land.
Later in Israel's history, when the jews had become
established in the land of their own, their God again
revealed himself to be a God who champions the cause
of the poor and the oppressed. In the class struggles
that took place within the life of Israel, God again and
again showed that He stands with the downtrodden and
the weak. Whenever the rich and powerful made life
hard for the poor and the oppressed God would send
his prophets to rail against the perpetrators of suffering.
Whether it was Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, or Micah, the
cry was always the same: God expected justice from
His people more than anything. The prophetic
message from God is clear:
"He had showed thee,O man, what is good; and what
does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God?
(Micah 6:8)
The New Testament picks up the same theme. The birth
of Jesus was heralded by the Virgin Mary, declaring
to the world that her Son would be the deliverer for the
socially disinherited and would bring hope for those
who had no hope
Luke 1:46-55
“My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
The followers of Jesus preached and wrote the same message.
Certainly the book of James makes it clear that God is a God
who cannot tolerate the exploitation of the poor and the
oppression of the defenseless by those who have power and
wealth.
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the
misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and
moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are
corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your
flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed
your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the
harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.
(James 5:1 – 4)
GOD DOES NOT TOLERATE THE EXPLOITATION OF THE
POOR AND THE OPPRESSION OF THE DEFENSELESS BY
THOSE WHO HAVE POWER AND WEALTH.
HOW ABOUT YOU?!!!!!
(some excerpts taken from Tony Campolo's book
"Wake Up America")
