I’m not sure why – maybe it’s because of the book I’m reading (“Searching for God Knows What” – Don Miller) but I keep being drawn to passages and stories about treating everyone as equal. Treat everyone fairly. Let’s get over this superficial social hierarchy that we’ve developed.
Proverbs 24 is no different.
Prov 24:1 & 2:
Do not envy wicked men,
do not desire their company;
for their hearts plot violence,
and their lips talk about making trouble.
v. 12:
Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
v. 17-18:
Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.
I heard today that the city of New York has forbidden the president of Iran to visit Ground Zero during his trip to the city and the UN today. I don’t know why verse 17 & 18 remind me of that story but I wonder what’s going on in everyone’s head. Is the Iranian president truly wanting to pay regards or is he gloating because an enemy fell. I’m sure that’s what Mayor Bloomberg thinks at least.
What should our response as Christians be though? What if someone killed a loved one of mine. Maybe it was intentional. Maybe not. What if after they were prosecuted they wanted to go lay flowers by the grave of my loved one. What should my response be.
Proverbs 24:19 & 29 says:
Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of the wicked,
for the evil man has no future hope
and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Hmm. Sounds like I shouldn’t let it get to me. Sounds like I should lay my pride aside and let God handle my enemies and others around me.
Finally,
Prov 24:23:
These also are sayings of the wise:
To show partiality in judging is not good:
Verse 24 goes on to say that we should not judge a man unfairly because of our preference towards him or against him. I believe this speaks directly to a judge ruling over a trial but I think the same can be directed to each one of us. Don’t show partiality. Believe and live as if every man, woman and child are equal to you – or more better yet – more important than you.
We read that with the high schoolers over the summer, it made for some really good discussions. It’s been interesting to see how what we talked about over the summer has informed how they act now that school has started and they’re back to ‘real’ life.
We read that with the high schoolers over the summer, it made for some really good discussions. It’s been interesting to see how what we talked about over the summer has informed how they act now that school has started and they’re back to ‘real’ life.