God's Heart for JusticeSample

 Many of us are kind of familiar with Old Testament Law. We know the Ten Commandments. We might be aware of weirder commands about sacrificing animals or cleaning the mildew out of your house. But we might not be aware how many of God’s OT commands revolve around the idea of justice.

For all of their faults, the people of Israel were meant to function as a model community. Their social life together was intended to demonstrate God’s gracious and just character. 

God’s heart is this:

“there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, 5 if only you fully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today" (Deut 15:4–5).

Our passage for today shows this heart for the poor must express itself consistently. God cares about justice for employees (v.14) and His eyes are on the immigrant, the orphan, and the widow (vv.17-18). Indeed in verses 19-22 God challenges His people to a radical habit of generosity. He tells Israel’s farmers to hold back from harvesting everything they can. Don’t maximize your wealth. Instead, if you trust in an abundant God, then we delight that our surplus can bring blessing to the poor. The reign of God is not about making ourselves rich, it is about making many flourish. 

Reflection and Response

1. Praise our Heavenly Father that He rules the world with justice for the poor and the marginalized. 

2. Be honest with God and ask Him to reveal those times where you have sought to hoard your wealth instead of sharing with the poor. 

3. Thank Jesus for His forgiveness, and ask the Spirit to keep changing you into someone who is soft-hearted and open-handed towards the poor.