Friday: Further Thought – Justice and Mercy Part 1
Read Ellen G. White, “The Law Given to Israel,” pp. 307-314; “God’s Care for the Poor,” pp. 530-536, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
The concepts of justice and mercy are seen all through the Old Testament. Look at, for instance, Deuteronomy 24:10-22.
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Look at the specific instructions given in these cases. We can see, so clearly, the Lord’s concern for the poor, for the workers, for those in debt. This concern is expressed, not merely in abstract and lofty language about care for the less fortunate; instead, at least here, it is also expressed in concrete and practical instructions on what to do and what not to do in specific instances, such as with someone in debt or with a poor worker. These concepts were too important to be left totally to one’s own personal notions of what justice and benevolence were. Notice, too, how the Lord referred them back to where they had once been, to when they certainly were among the less fortunate. “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this” (Deut. 24:22, NIV). As Christians, we must, regardless of our financial situation, always remember the grace and unmerited favor God has bestowed upon us. Thus, we need, out of the richness and fullness of what we have in Christ (Eph. 3:19, Col. 2:10), to be ready to serve and help those who need our service and help.
Discussion Questions:
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Both the rich, the poor and the needy; the Lord God made them all. Secondly, Christ Jesus died for all humanity; the slave, the free, the Greek, the Hebrew and the Arab.
When the mind of Christ becomes our mind, and His works our works, we shall be able to keep the fast described by the prophet Isaiah: ‘Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens?''
I would like to comment on this statement
As human being we must learn to Jesus however we need to be humble and start to understand that God our creator has give to us the example.
Always we have pretext to express our opinion but really we must change and start to play our key role in our community. Each one is requested to ask himself the following question: What the role I play to my neighbor, colleagues at school,workmate,staff under supervision etc.
What assistance that I provide to the vulnerable as me I have a consideration means more than others?
Where is our community?
We need to serve where we are located It's amazing how eager people want to go to distant lands and neglect the immediate surroundings and that includes our homes
May God help us to serve faithfully until Jesus comes
True Myrtle!
...though sometimes it is necessary to go to the distant lands as well. Some lands may be in more need than those around us. So we have to take an extra step to reach out to them as well.
Sinners are drawn to Jesus because He shows them grace. An attitude of grace is how we are different from the world and draw others to Jesus as we serve the poor and needy. Our role is to be this unconditional love to the world. We are reminded He lavishes His gifts to all. None of us are worthy of His amazing grace.
Very well put Nancy!
After all we have all FREELY received... so we might as well be willing to freely pass on that grace to our fellow human.
In 2009, in my part of Georgia (USA), we had what some called the "100 year flood". Prior to the flood storm, our church had been in working in our community for about 2 years. We tried to reach out to the community in various ways without much success; they just would not respond to us. By the way, our church sits on the top of a hill. When the flood waters came, guess who came to our church? The people had to leave their homes for higher ground. They came to our church, and we give them food and water, and a place to stay until the Red Cross came to provide them with better living accommodations. The storm came so fast that we, as a church, were not prepared to receive that many people, but we did our best to give them with what we had. We are still in the same community, but unfortunately when the flood water rescinded, the people in the community stopped coming as well. We are still the little church on the hill that pride ourselves as being the "community church, all are welcome", on our church sign; and we are still working hard to reach our neighboring communities. We will be celebrating our 10th year anniversary in 2017. Please pray for us, that God will continue to be with us as we meet the needs of our community, as well as share the 3 Angels Message. May God bless all of His children!
Toni I also attend a little church on a hill and we have celebrated 100 years not that long ago. We have reached out to the surrounding neighbor hood often and continue to invite and welcome who ever will accept. Like your church Toni, new members from around our community are interested in other directions. We are nice but so are a number of other people. We continue to Pray and our motto so to speak, that is on the front of our church bulletin says, we exist to lead people in the surrounding area into a transforming relationship with Jesus. One of our outreach endeavors is a pre school with attendance of 60 that is well accepted. We also have an eight grade academy on adjoining property. Meeting Jesus is the goal.
Justice and mercy in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 24:10-22 bring to mind the story of some of the leading patriarchs among the Jewish nations. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Gen29-31,The story of Jacob and the examples of more than fair treatment, are remarkable beyond all reasoning. I am sure most have read this story but if it has been a while, it is well worth reading again. Justice and Mercy are not new ideas,but only misplaced in many minds of a sector of our society. The question becomes , who or what is needy? Wealth is not the answer to what might be. Those that are the most generous are those with the lowest income. Not as would be expected. The more we have the more difficult it is to give. Self sufficiency leads to a superior feeling toward others with no care or reliance on others. I just wanted to throw that in when talking about how, what, or where we can be of the most help. I am thinking about those that need medical attention but lack the necessary funds. Only one for instance. Other needs are overwhelming many times.
Hi all thanks for your comments. My prayer to our churches is to look out for the needy and poor so that they can come closer to God. You can not preach to one who has not eaten for a week.
Let us cloth them with the word of God and not forgetting the three angels message.
May God bless you all as you reach out for the needy.
Reaching others with the truth of Jesus is not always easy. My mission field is right within my home- my husband, children and grandchildren and also extended family. I am the only one who lives the life Jesus wants us to live. It is difficult and I fail sometimes but I pray daily for my 'little mission field'.
I often feel rejected and alone, but prayer is always my comfort and strength. I pray for the wider mission field and I ask for your payers and support as I try to shed my light in my own home first and then to others.