enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to Those Who Have No Friend
slogan for fictional noir pulp hero, Boston blackie.
although Boston black he was a fictional crimefighter, God is the real defender of those who are weak and need protection. Here’s a few things to know about God’s attitude toward orphans, widows and other unfortunate classes of people. Remember that while I refer to orphans, the same would apply to any of those who are unprotected and suffer lapses in the justice system.
He commands his people not to afflict orphans. In the case the afflicted orphan cries out to God, he will be heard. God’s anger will be stirred up. And it will not go well for the one who stirred that wrath. (Exodus 22:22-24). God promises to execute justice for the vulnerable and show love on the orphan, the widow and the foreigner. (Deuteronomy 10:18). God even proposes the form of charity to extend to this unfortunate class of people. They are to receive a portion from the same tithes that is brought to the storehouse that the Levites are to receive. Not only is it up to the church, the body of Christ, to take care of these needy people, but they should be satisfied by the charity extended to them. When God’s people bless these needy ones, God will return that blessing on the church. (Deuteronomy 14:28,29).
Charity should be given with rejoicing. It should also include our sons and daughters, employees of the house and even the local Levite in the town (for modern-day terms, think of the Levite as your pastor). The rejoicing should extend all the way from the giver to the ones receiving the gift. Including the unfortunate should be part of every one of our holiday feasts and celebrations. (Deuteronomy 16:11,14;
Nathan Caldwell joins us to contribute his remarks at this point.
God commands that justice shall not be perverted. He reminds his people that they were once in the position of these oppressed and needy people when they were slaves in Egypt. This is not just a mild suggestion, or a hint that being helpful to your fellow man. It’s a command. God continues by suggesting that they purposely leave produce in the field for the sole purpose of these orphans and needy classes of people to glean. Why? “In order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” (Deuteronomy 24:17-22).
Elsewhere, God reminds his people that a portion of the tithe is for the orphans. Remember, they are to have enough to be satisfied. When we obey this command, we can be satisfied in knowing that we have obeyed God’s command. If we fail to provide for their needs, or if justice to the orphan has been distorted, the curse will be placed on the wrongdoer from God himself. (Deuteronomy 26:12,13; Deuteronomy 27:19).
Sometimes it may be easy to follow to the trap that we can get away with oppressing the orphan. Just cover it up, and no one will see it. The problem is that God sees it. He is a direct witness to all the misdeeds that are done to orphans in the otherwise helpless people. God sees all the misdeeds and harmful treatment. The psalmist calls in prayer forgot to take the matter into his own hand. He is the protector and helper of the orphan. The psalmist calls on Swift, extreme and harsh judgments on the lawbreaker. He will surely vindicate the orphan, and be a shelter of encouragement for the oppressed. People may fail us, but God certainly will not. (Psalm 10:14,17,18; Psalm 27:10).
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
Psalm 68:5Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Psalm 82:3
NASB
there we go, God is a hero who is much better than Boston black he. An enemy to the enemy, and a friend to the friendless.
Sadly, sometimes the plight of the orphan means they may have to face death. God will sort the ways of the wicked, although we mean that see it on the timeline we expect.
Psalm 94:6; Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 23:10
although God has his eye on the oppressive situation, it doesn’t remove blame for us to not do our own due diligence. We should make every effort to learn to carry out good justice. We need to be willing to get in the face of the ruthless one and defend orphans. Just because someone is a ruler or in charge, doesn’t mean they aren’t corrupt. (Isaiah 1:17,23).
There’s a Special Place in God’s judgment for corrupt leaders who not only allow perverted justice for orphans. He sees how they deprive and deprive them of their rights.
(Isaiah 10:1,2;Jeremiah 5:28).
God makes a promise. If his people refrain from oppressing, then he allows his people live in their promised land.
Jeremiah 7:6,7; NASB
God reinforces his command to deliver the oppressed, and not mistreat them. (Jeremiah 22:3).
Even the prophets of old knew that there would come a day of reckoning or God would judge everyone for all other misdeeds. Malachi uses the phrase that God will draw near. While he draws near to judge those who deserve it, he also draws near to provide justice for the orphans and afflicted. (Malachi 3:5.)
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their distress,
and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
James 1:27
NASB
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