God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
2 “How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked?
3 Give justice to the weak and the orphan;
maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” – Psalm 82:1-4
A little bit of Biblical history, today. Most of us don’t realize that the Bible is almost exclusively written from the perspective of the underdog. The people of God, Israel, are always under attack from some other power, that seeks to subdue, enslave, or rule over them. This also follows true for the New Testament, as its contents were written during a time of Rome as the world’s super-power, and we have all heard about the martyrdom of essentially every one of the apostles, those who weren’t martyred, were exiled, which might have been worse.
The reality that we have the scriptures as all, is in the opinion of most, a miracle. Yet, so often we don’t really think about that lowly position when we read the scriptures. Today, we read from a psalm that is attributed to Asaph. There are three biblical figures named Asaph, but there were also a guild of musicians during the first temple period known as Asaphites. It is not clear whether this song is sung in the particular style of the Asaphites, or if it is attributed to one of the biblical figures, one of whom was appointed by David to be set aside to sing praises to God.
What we can understand from the psalm, however, is that at the time it was written, those who were weak, orphaned, lowly, needy, destitute, etc. were in need to God’s divine help. Those who were the outcast of the underdogs did not receive the justice that the writer believed God should give them, instead they were still in the hands of the wicked.
These are hard words for us rationalize within a modern context. We, the church, want to help, offer what we can for others, but we don't always know that to do. We rationalize the help we offer to others, the missions in which we participate, as good and helpful, and they are. Yet, sometimes I wonder if we could use our status in the world to truly help others? Let me offer a small parable.
A person is stuck in a hole, they are lonely, hungry, tired, and they don’t know how to get out. Someone walks along and has some leftover food, and says the one in the hole; “would you like something to eat? And gives them their leftover. The one in the hole is grateful for the offering, the one who gave the food feels confident they have helped, and moves on. A second person walks past the hole, hears someone crying. They stop, sit, and talk with the person offering words of hope and compassion. At some point this person’s phone rings and they need to move on, but they feel good that they have helped the person stuck in the hole feel connected to another human being. Finally, a day or so later, another person sees this one who has been stuck in the hole, and asks, “would you like to get out?” “Yes!” the one in the hole replies, “but I don’t know how.” This person reaches a hand down, and does all within their power to help the stuck person out of the hole. Together, they work to see that hole is filled, so that no one else will fall in and become stuck.
Which of the three “helpers” exemplifies Jesus teaching on love for neighbor?
Yes, I know an argument could be made for all three, however, it is the one who stays by the side, who offers a hand of deliverance, and works to bring justice by filling in the hole that truly does what Jesus has done for us.
The injustice we see in the world around us is that person stuck in hole of which they know not how to get out. What can we do with our positions to offer help, and bring justice, and create a world with no hole in which to fall? May God’s Holy Spirit give us the courage and understanding to do what is right in the eyes of God, and in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Sam