Jeremiah Burroughs, Puritan preacher, comments on Isaiah 5:7. The oppressed poor who get no fair shake here below, will prevail in a Higher Court. They can be comforted in the rightness of this Judge.
Is this troubling? Or does everyone, even all politicians, raise objections to various injustices, but we just don’t like to think the poor are more oppressed than we are.
How can you consider the uprightness of the Lord of hosts?
Joseph Hall, Puritan preacher, considers the luxurious life of the rich man (“Dives”) from Luke 16: banqueting and parties all day. Jesus had a “quarrel” with this man, who had no time for church festivals, nor his poor neighbor, Lazarus.
Does the church today also have a “quarrel”, but is instead damning those who would criticize wealth creators?
How can you make time for your neighbor, and the business of church life?
John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople, on responding to appeals for help. Conversation could in some cases “recover” the person as well as money. He says the biblical commands to give, period, may be God’s design to create opportunities for connection, and learning of people’s misfortunes.
Some today are using the state to prevent these human connections.
How can you talk to someone in misfortune today?
Greg Johnson
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