What other scriptures reinforce the call to care for the marginalized? Starting Point: Deuteronomy 24:18 — Remembering Redemption “Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place; therefore I am commanding you to do this.” Further Commands in the Law • Exodus 22:21-22 — “You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.” • Leviticus 19:9-10 — “When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident. I am the LORD your God.” • Leviticus 25:35-36 — “If your brother becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or temporary resident, so that he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or profit from him, but fear your God.” • Deuteronomy 15:7-8 — “If there is a poor man among your brothers…do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.” Wisdom That Speaks for the Voiceless • Proverbs 14:31 — “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.” • Proverbs 31:8-9 — “Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.” The Prophets: Justice at the Heart of True Worship • Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do right; seek justice, correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” • Isaiah 58:6-7 — “Is this not the fast that I choose: to break the chains of wickedness…to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him…?” • Jeremiah 22:3 — “Do justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery…Do not mistreat or do violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow.” • Micah 6:8 — “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” • Zechariah 7:9-10 — “Administer true justice, show loving devotion and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.” Jesus’ Ministry and Teaching • Luke 4:18 — “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor…to release the oppressed.” • Luke 10:33-35 — The Good Samaritan “was moved with compassion…went to him and bandaged his wounds…took care of him.” • Matthew 25:35-40 — “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat…Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” • Luke 12:33 — “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out.” The Early Church Model • Acts 2:44-45 — “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to anyone who had need.” • Acts 4:34-35 — “There was not a needy person among them…they laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.” Apostolic Letters: Faith That Works • Romans 12:13 — “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.” • Galatians 2:10 — “They asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” • James 1:27 — “Pure and undefiled religion…is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress…” • James 2:15-17 — “If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food and one of you says…‘Go in peace’ but does nothing…faith by itself…is dead.” • 1 John 3:17-18 — “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no compassion…let us love not with words or speech, but with actions and in truth.” • Hebrews 13:1-3 — “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…Remember those in prison…those who are mistreated…” Putting It All Together From Moses to the prophets, from Jesus to the apostles, Scripture consistently and literally commands God’s people to remember their own redemption and extend tangible mercy, justice, and help to the poor, the foreigner, the widow, the orphan, the prisoner, and every other marginalized neighbor. Obedience here is woven into covenant faithfulness and authenticates living faith; as the Lord redeemed His people, so He sends His redeemed to care for “the least of these.” |
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