Love And JusticeMuestra

So we see very thoroughly as the exodus narrative begins that the pattern of the restoration of justice, of shalom, is grounded in God; in this way the attention of Israel to justice, to shalom, is tied to their understanding of their history with God. The exodus and liberation from an oppressive situation will be a constant refrain in Israel’s literary reflections on her history. They were oppressed foreigners, enslaved without hope by a power far greater than themselves. Their only hope for justice must come from God, who is the author of justice. God indeed responds to their cries arising from oppression and in the signal miracle of the Old Testament liberates Israel from slavery. After a generation in the wilderness, God delivers his “blueprint” for what society in the land promised to Abraham would look like, the society through which God would bless the nations of the world. This budding society in Israel would be marked, obviously, by exclusive worship of the LORD, who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt. But as a crucial element in this exclusive worship of the LORD, the society would also be marked by a keen interest in the shalom in all aspects of society. Examples of this concern are throughout the Old Testament – passages which describe the type of society Israel will become. Deuteronomy 10:14-22 stands as one of the prime examples that bring together the concerns we have been exploring. All creation is the LORD’s (v. 14), and worship of him will entail following him in his concern that justice, shalom, permeate his land. He has kept his promises to build a great people, and that people must now reflect his very character (vv. 17-21). PRAYER: Thank You, Lord for rescuing me from the oppression of sin through the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ.