- If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. -
Have you guys noticed Ecclesiastes is filled with some strange verses? Imagine, before reading today’s verse, I told you the Bible teaches us to expect oppression?
Yeah, I agree. Shouldn’t we be more concerned with rooting out and preventing it?
Well, we’re all sinners. That’s at least some reason to expect broken institutions. But shouldn’t the best be filling our governments and churches?
Here’s the deal, just because it’s not to surprise us doesn’t mean we should not try to live morally upright lives and root out oppression to the best of our abilities.
When we see it though, it shouldn’t unsettle our faith. Why?
Because we know the only separation between us and those that have fallen is a bad day, the adoption of an evil habit, or the right authority commanding we compromise.
If the great are susceptible, than we all are.
Solomon gives us a reason that once again seems strange. Why do our institutions fail? Because everyone has an overseer.
One of the reasons governments won’t act is because they can always blame their inefficiencies on someone above or lateral to them.
How many times does the President and Congress say it’s the other person’s job to fix the problem?
Course, it’s more convenient just to blame the other party.
The most recent example of this is the Uvalde shooting, where cops stood in the hallway waiting for someone to show up with the keys.
Afterward, those on the ideological left state, “Do something!” and those on the right say, “There coming for your guns!”
Both of these statements are foolish. They achieve nothing and create no compromise to fix the problem of mass shootings.
What are some common middle ground ideas they could explore? Why not raise the age you can be drafted, drink, and buy firearms?
Why not provide federal red flag laws with clear processes that protect reasonable gun owners while allowing the seizing of weapons owned by those who are a clear, present threat?
Don’t expect that. Expect cheap shots and campaigning.
We haven’t talked about churches, but what about them? What examples have happened that show it’s lack of righteousness.
We need to talk about the Southern Baptist Convention. The news outlined in the Guidepost Solutions report was horrible.
Not only did it accuse some pastors involved in sexual abuse, it showed an unwillingness to do anything about them to avoid legal liability.
Worse, it accused the previous head pastor of my church, Johnny Hunt, of sexual assault.
How do we act? How do we respond? Should we throw away our faith and curse God?
That is what Satan wants. He wants a divided, bitter, broken church that can’t help but continue to stumble on its own feet.
Now, the SBC and its churches are going to have to reform. They need new policies, procedures, and frankly repentance.
But what about you?
First and foremost, assist and grieve for the victims in whatever best way you can.
Second, realize that this is the nature of all men and that no pastor or leader is God.
Third, pray desperately that God keep all of us from such sin.
Share this post