In today reading, Psalm 82, God is speaking to unjust civil rulers. God is reminding them of their duty to take care of the weak and the poor.
This is not about social justice. A ruler, who was referred to as a “god” in some places, had responsibilities of service. Rulers were to serve all people, not just the rich. They were to ensure that the rich in society did not unfairly take advantage of the poor. The rulers were not to take from the rich and give to the poor (social justice), but rather were to ensure that all people were treated according to the laws and customs in place at that time.
The psalmist concludes with, “Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.” The psalmist wants Judgment Day to come. The corrupt, world where wickedness reigns, will be replaced with the perfect, eternal reign of God.
Psalm 82 applies to Christ’s Church today.
As members of the Church, we are to serve all people, especially the poor. We are called to give what we have to those in need, but like the rulers of old, we are not to take from the rich to give to the poor. We are to give to others what God has given to us.
Today, we too live in a corrupt world where wickedness reigns. Like the psalmist, our hope is eternal life in a perfect world ruled by Jesus.
There are many in this wicked world who do not share this hope. They do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
These are the people we are also to serve.
We serve them by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. These people are in the hand of the wicked. They will spend eternity in the lake of fire with Satan, the great tormentor.
These people are truly the weak and needy. They are weak and needy in spirit. They are in the hand of the wicked.
It is our job, as members of the Church, to proclaim the Gospel, so that they might be delivered from the hand of the wicked.
No comments:
Post a Comment