Photo: Jim Loring/Tearfund
In the initial law (found in Deuteronomy) the Israelites are asked to walk in the way of God, which includes the fact that he ‘defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.’ (10:18) Here God is seen as speaking out for those in need as well as providing for their immediate needs.
Through the prophets such as Isaiah, god speaks clearly to his people:’ is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked or clothe him and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (58:6-7)
Here Isaiah is talking about tackling the causes of injustice and oppression as well as providing food, shelter and clothing for those in need (which seeks to alleviate the effects)
In Proverbs we are called to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, speak up and defend the rights of the poor and needy.’
Jesus himself proclaims liberty, freedom and release when he announces his mission statement.’ ‘The spirit of the lord is up on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the lords favor.’ When Jesus talks about release for the oppressed, he is referring to both physical and spiritual oppression. Releasing the physically oppressed will involve tackling the causes of this oppression, such as the actions and the policies of governments
Bringing good news to the poor therefore not only means providing for those people who are in need, but seeking justice and freedom for them – i.e. tackling the causes of the need.
In this context we are called to challenge people, situations and structures which perpetuate injustice and do not provide for the most vulnerable in society. We are called to address the causes of injustice – not just the symptoms.
Patrick Dixon, ‘In the 19th century Christians saw slavery abolished, the hours and conditions of work for women and children transformed, employment exchanged introduced, orphanages and leper colonies set up, built and staffed. We can and must do it again!’
As Christians if we are to truly love our global neighbors we can no longer ignore God’s call to get praying, get campaigning and get active to benefit the poor.