[Sung Psalm: 86]
Deuteronomy 24 lays out some of the basic principles of economic justice. Verses 19-22 talk about one of the ways that Israel should provide for the poor. When you reap your harvest, when you beat your olive trees, when you gather the grapes – don’t harvest everything. Leave some in the field, on the trees, on the vines.
Why?
So that the poor can come and glean. Notice that this is a system of poor relief that requires the poor to work. A poor widow – like Ruth – could gather sufficient food, but only if she was willing to go out into the fields and work for it!
In our day, it’s a bit more complicated! If a poor person needs a car, he can’t go to GM and assemble leftover parts!
But if you think about it, used cars function in much the same way. If a poor person goes out and works for a few weeks, a few months, he can generally afford a used car.
But Israel frequently failed to put these principles into practice. Our Psalm of response, Psalm 86, reflects on the problems that occur within the church in this area. When David speaks of the “insolent men” who rise up against him he is talking about his fellow Israelites!
The Man of Lawlessness – the mystery of lawlessness – arises from within the church. And we often need God’s grace and mercy to deal with us. |
