-
Nehemiah 5
- The economic hardship some were experiencing is the thrust of this chapter. To Nehemiah’s attention it was brought, and when he learned to what extent it was his anger was aroused. Those guilty of levying a burden against the poor Nehemiah’s anger was particularly focused.
- Application: This chapter addresses what might be called “social justice.” Social justice, however, is to be understood in relation to the Lord’s will, not the arbitrary actions on the part of government. Interestingly enough, the experiences of those in Jerusalem was not exclusive to them, but was a problem in other parts of the empire (EBC-R, vol. 3, p. 496). Social justice is a red-flag term in our current conversation; but that justice is to be rendered to (and within) society is a truth that can’t be negated. Justice pertains to law, whether it is man’s law or God’s law. We will benefit society when each of us accepts and implements the roles assigned by God. For instance, the wife of the family is the manager of the home; the father of the family is the head of the house. Those who work in the community are to work; if they don’t let them not eat.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Eugene Adkins 6:37 am on July 17, 2012 Permalink |
Good thoughts, Ron.
I see many “religous” writers indulge themselves in the concept of “social justice.” One trend that I have noticed among most of the writers who focus on such a theme is the direction it soon heads toward “all” social justice speak and “next to none” about the justice of God upon the cross (Romans 3:26).
“Social justice” is a competely useless endeavor without the realization that the lack of “social justice” or maybe rather I should the need for “social justice” stems from much deeper probelms than the average “justice seekers” in the community wants to address; i.e. sins that corrupt the soul of homes, individuals and cultures.
Ron Thomas 6:49 am on July 17, 2012 Permalink |
Thank you, Eugene. I appreciate your thoughts, and agree with them.