Inexcusable
Deliver those being taken to death, and hold back those swaying and being led to slaughter. If you say, “We knew nothing about this,” does not even he who weighs motives discern [the truth]? Proverbs 24:11-12 Waltke
We Knew Nothing – Do you really want to live according to the Biblical view? If you do, you will soon discover some very upsetting – and demanding – ethical and moral principles. None is more condemning than this one in Proverbs. Following the pathway of the Host of angelic armies means acting as He would act in the face of social injustice. We are commanded to deliver those being taken to death by the wicked. We are commanded to hold back those who are being lead to slaughter by the greedy. And if we don’t, there is no excuse (if you dare, read the rest of Proverbs 24:12).
Too often we hear ourselves saying, “We knew nothing.” Lo yada nuze in Hebrew. “We were ignorant, Lord. You can’t expect us to know about all these travesties. After all, we have to take care of ourselves first, don’t we? Lord, You are just too harsh. How could I have known that there are starving masses in Haiti, just a short ride from opulent South Beach? How could I have known that there are people sleeping in the gutters of my own city? I never saw them (I avoid those areas of town – anyone would). How could I know that the jails hold hopeless hundreds? I don’t even know where the jail is. Oh, sure, I saw something about all this on the news, but it’s really not my problem, Lord. I pay taxes and tithes for the professionals to deal with this. I just want a nice, safe neighborhood. Doesn’t everyone?”
The Bible accepts no excuse. If your agenda of self-preservation comes before God’s agenda of self-sacrifice, you will be judged! Does that sound too harsh? In today’s world, we don’t like to think we are held accountable for the perpetration of social injustice. But what the world thinks does not matter. God says you are accountable. You should have known. You should have acted. That’s what matters. You can ignore God’s call if you wish, but then you will inherit the end of verse 12.
Do you really have to spend more than one minute to recognize that you do know where injustice is occurring? You might not need to look at Haiti or Somalia or Indonesia. You might only have to look as far as the home for abused women, the soup kitchen, the county jail, the crisis center or your neighbor next door. Wherever you find it, you are called to do something! The day is coming when you will stand before the Lord and He will ask, “What did you do about this?” Even heaven will not be able to help the one who answers, “But I didn’t know.”
Today I leave for a week in Haiti. You can pray for this trip. Now you know!
