Daily Word: Bringing Justice

Proverbs 29:24 says: The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing. (RSV) The JPS translates the verse as follows: He who shares with a thief is his own enemy; He hears the imprecation and does not tell. The JPS Study Bible notes explains the verse: "Upon the discovery of a crime, a proclamation was issued requiring everyone who knew about it to come forward and testify. The proclamation was accompanied by an imprecation, a conditional curse that would fall on whoever had information and failed to come forward." Today, we have to offer money and have a confidential promise to obtain information on crimes. However, in Bible days, you had an obligation to come forward for the cause of justice.

How many times do we turn our eyes away from those in need? There is such a tendency to assume that someone else will take care of the problem. However, that is not the Biblical approach. We need to be proactive and choose to seek justice for those who cannot obtain it for themselves. We need to develop a true community approach to our faith. We all rise or fall together. That is the Hebraic way; that is the Bible way.

Today, ask yourself, "How do I help bring justice to those who need help?" This will probably require a paradigm shift. The shift is toward community involvement. If you know that someone has been harmed through a criminal act, then come forward with what you know. Don't be concerned about the consequences. God would not have instructed us in the word to behave in such a manner if it was not in the best interest of the community (Note: I did not say individual). Community is more important than the individual in Hebraic thought. It is just the opposite to the Greek thinker who values individual rights above all. Which are you?