A Study of the Poor: (Look
out!)
(Psa 41:1 KJV) Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
. . . . . Pretty straightforward. The first part of this verse should be translated "he that has an active compassion for the poor" don't ya see? And "time of trouble" could easily be like the end times huh? "Tribulation" might even translate that way, but I certainly don't wish to get into end times doctrine 'cause folks, i just don't know how it's gonna go down.(Psa 9:18 KJV) For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
. . . . . Ahhh, sweet promise! This is particularly relevant to our study when we juxtapose it with with Jesus' admonition in Mark 14:7 that "ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good"( emphasis mine). Looking at the big picture it's easy for me to see this as part of this covenant.(Gal 2:10 KJV) Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
. . . . . Several of the disciples were agreeing to Paul's missionarying, and asked "Only . . . that we should remember the poor." Yeah, the early church held all things in common in order to make remembering the poor easier. Not too hard to figure out where this plan went south, huh? (It was ordinary mind at work, the will of the people manifesting itself in the doctrine of the church. [Remember when Catholics weren't supposed to eat meat on Fridays?])
. . . . . This definitely does not jibe with contemporary (would-be) Christian doctrine, huh? (That's where prayer and token efforts, let's just call it lip service, counts; you know, tithes even of luxuries but of no account to God.) Remember (did'ja see) the mission statement here?(Job 29:16 KJV) I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
. . . . . Well, just moved this up here because: "cause" can be translated "controversy" and that would fit Jesus pretty good here, huh? Talking about the dangers of ordinary mind in the Sermon on the Mount, His ministry deserves the title Ministry To The Poor huh? And certainly not just the spiritually hungry, an approach I think I've adequately defended on this site.
. . . . . (And see Isaiah 55:8 ["For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."] and Micah 6:2 say ["Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel."] and think about the Lord's Cause say, His ways, His will about hungry people, and what we do about it.)(Jer 22:16 KJV) He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
. . . . . Hey, plain and simple, "was not this to know me? saith the Lord". Judging the cause of the poor and needy. Look out status quo.(Luke 14:12-13) When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind . . .
. . . . . Maybe this really is part of God's doctrine huh? You wouldn't know it from the number of sermons preached on it.(Isa 1:17 KJV) Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
. . . . . Matthew 23:23 says we pay tithe and ignore the weightier matters like judgment and justice, and more and more I'm thinking it's simply a matter of a redistribution of resources doing a whole lot of good. This verse certainly (in the context of all these other verses plus my big picture rants) gives the impression that God's judgment is very focused to the good of those forgotten by the system, and those who worship the status quo need to look out for themselves by changing their approach to our reality. Check out Charles Spurgeon's 19th century devotion on this topic here.
. . . . . And I'm not talking about 'lost people', I'm talking about people who are hungry, even desperate for a slice of bread, who certainly find it difficult to be interested in their eternal salvation given their malnourished, day-to-day existence.
. . . . . The verse preceding this one reads "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;". These verses (let's look at verse 18 too: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."), they seem to address let's say the majority. Remember Sodom and Gomorra, the Ten Commandments, haves and have-nots, Revelation (let's look at one verse: Rev 22:12: "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.") That surely is food for thought to me.(1 John 3:17 KJV) But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
. . . . . No gray area here that I see. My computer Strong's says that "brother," from the Greek word adelphos translates "a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote", a definition which fits right in with my big picture.(Zec 7:9-10 KJV) Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
. . . . . My computer Strong's says the Hebrew word here rendered "brother" translates "a brother (in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance)", a definition which fits right in with my big picture. Notice that "true judgment" is 'mercy and compassion' to all, and the poor, the afflicted, the oppressed again get special mention. (For New Testament freaks, see 1 John 3:17 [again/above]: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?")(Prov 14:31 KJV) He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
. . . . . "Oppresseth" might better be translated "strives with" or, in light of Matthew 25:34-45( see below) it probably better translates "he that does not help the poor reproaches God". Acquiescing to the status quo is actually striving with the poor, given that the rich still get richer at the expense of the poor. My note on this verse says "lip service and token efforts might be worthless."
. . . . . Note that here is juxtaposed our treatment of the poor and how we really are towards God.(Prov 17:5 KJV) Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
. . . . . Might more correctly read "whover takes the poor lightly", i.e., has little regard for them, has little regard for God. The second part of this verse could obliquely reference the fact (for example) that "after all, it was you and me" (Mick sings) who shot the Kennedys. Part of ordinary mind is relieved that stuff happens to other people, and when it's a close thing it can be a large part.(Psa 12:5 KJV) For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.
. . . . . Note here that the poor and afflicted, all who are oppressed by those who have more than they need (whether it's their intention or they do not realize, the result is oppression and "the sighing of the needy"), are given assurance of safety from (presumably) the avenging angels here. Seems the only question which remains is when will God arise to take His vengeance on ordinary mind.(Matthew 25:34-45 KJV) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.(Isa 58:6-7 KJV) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? (emphasis mine)
. . . . . Perhaps this was the cause espoused by Isaiah (and others, notably of course Jesus), to break the yoke of ordinary mind, the incredible injustices of the status quo. It might well have been that the ways of God Isaiah saw focused on verse 7, feeding the hungry (remember Jesus in Luke 14:12-13: When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:), sheltering the homeless, not hiding our heads in the sand about the huddled masses (hiding from our own flesh: consider that even the Hebrew word for "brother" is defined as being "used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaph. affinity or resemblance"). This passage continues to say
(Isa 58:10 KJV) And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
. . . . . An exceedingly great promise regarding even eternity huh? Like, "the darkness and gloom of that great and terrible day of the Lord's judgment shall be as high noon to thee."(Prov 18:23 KJV) The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
. . . . . My note says in part "apparently this points out the status quo -- every man for himself (excepting a certain group probably), and beggars are looked down upon and treated like excrement rather than 'the least' (Matthew 25:34-45 [above]) of Christ's." The verse just above this one gives a little credence to my saying that those ameriKans who rationalize not helping the very poor (by works, of which prayer is one) are gonna encounter darkness at the edge of noon, as Mr. Dylan said).(Prov 19:4 KJV) Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
see note above(Psa 82:3 KJV) Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
. . . . . "Justice to the afflicted and needy" seems self-evident huh? Food and (temporary?) shelter. (Hey, it's all temporary, i'm sure we agree with that; i'm just saying some form of shelter is in order some places i'm sure, even if it's blankets. And with the top 20% controlling some 90% of the wealth in 2012, it seems obvious that we need to redistribute some of that wealth. 50 million Americans living with hunger? Think of the three times Jeremiah asks "Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"(James 1:27 KJV) Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
. . . . . "Fatherless and widows" is short for the oppressed, the afflicted and needy. My note on this verse says in part "Faith without works is dead, James said. Pure religion is helping oppressed people."(Luke 6:38 KJV) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
. . . . . Way too many people give a lot, but give of luxuries (and still have a huge lifestyle relative to many of our neighbors) and not of lifestyle. (see Matthew 23:23) Also the parable of the widow's mite is quite apt here, giving not of discretionary income (there's a phrase for conspicuous consumers) but of what Jesus called her 'living', meaning she had a utility bill or grocery list that was ignored. Robbing Peter to pay Paul, huh?(Prov 19:17 KJV) He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
The bad news is that people who give of their time and resources to help "less fortunate" people seem to be proud and stiff-necked and hard-hearted for the most part. Your average person i'm saying. We pay tithe of luxuries and ignore the important stuff.(Deu 15:7-9 KJV) If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
. . . . . We could/should start reading verse 7 as "So long as there be among you a poor person". You know, "whensover you will ye may do them good" (Mark 14:7). (Notice that what some people 'need' others consider [and have considered throughout recorded time] luxuries [running water springs to mind]; the basics might be considered luxuries to a lot of people, given that in June of 2001 i read that 800,000,000 [that's eight hundred million] people go to bed hungry every day, and half of them are children. [in 2011 it was nearly one billion human beings living in abject poverty( just read in late 2012 that five hundred million people are in danger of starving to death; 2021 appears to be maintaining these numbers)]) This theory is given some validity in 15:4 which says the restitution of things and forgiving of debts in verse 1 should occur every seven years "save when there shall be no poor among you".(Isa 10:1-2 KJV continues "Woe unto them (who conspire) to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
. . . . . Another verse (like Isaiah 1:17) which seems to put a whole lot of emphasis on what we might call the helpless and the hopeless (or how about "tired, poor, huddled masses, tempest tossed...") and certainly at least lends credence to my theory that judgment might focus on these wretched folk.
(Isa 10:3 KJV) And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
. . . . . I just had to put this verse in this study. (see also my study here on judgment day and the end of time [Daniel 8:17 is one of seven references in that book to "the time of the end"])(Prov 31:9 KJV) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
. . . . . Another of those judgment-linked-with-the-poor-and-needy verses.(Prov 22:9 KJV) He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
. . . . . Perhaps should read he who has a "good eye" shall be blessed, considering Jesus warning about having what may be called "single vision" (Mat 6:22 and Luke 11:34), as opposed to being double-minded and such.(Isa 10:4 KJV) Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
. . . . . Remember Jesus opening Isaiah and reading that He had come to set the prisoners free (actually the verses my Quickverse opens to)? Could be that this reference to prisoners really addreses all of the needy. Reckon the wicked will bow down to legions of angels on the big day? Lots of bodies, sounds like. The second sentence of this verse is really why I put this verse in this study, because it lends such focus to the big picture to me, like for everything, the world in its entirety you know, for all this lack of judgment and justice to people hungry for a bowl of rice
i had to stop, but "for all this, His Hand is stretched out still." Here's the image i posted back in '97.(Isa 66:2 KJV) For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
. . . . . Maybe God knows that Elijah is coming back to warn people of that great and terrible day. (Well, people who've read much here know I don't believe God knows like that; those folk also know I wonder if me could be who God wants people to heed.)(Mal 3:5 KJV) And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
. . . . . I de-emphasized the part of this verse that most people like to focus on (and think, hey, cool, I'm safe), you know, the really bad things that maybe even most people manage to avoid. That the status quo robs the poor is inconceivable to ordinary mind. No, maybe it's the insidiousness of ordinary mind that's incomprehensible to most, perhaps the ubiquitousness of it.(Psa 138:6 KJV) Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
. . . . . "Lowly" is defined as "depressed, literally or figuratively"; "proud" is defined as "elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant:--haughty".
. . . . . Ain't that wild: God loves people depressed in attitude and/or circumstances but those who pay lip service to Him (for example; even though they think themselves humble when they pray to God and seek to serve Him) He has little regard for. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. That's straight out of Proverbs 15:8; see also Prov 21:27.(Deu 10:18-19 KJV) (The Lord) doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
. . . . . And the stranger, I believe, is lower than the resident alien in God's book (which is what we need to study to figure out who our neighbor is).(Deu 14:29 KJV) And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. (emphasis mine)
. . . . . Strangers and poor people "shall come, and shall eat" of our tithe (verse 28). And hey, let's not get picky about 'within thy gates' huh? The first rule of any real religion is anybody is welcome. Right? Well, maybe anybody is welcome as long as they don't open their mouth questioning doctrine.(Deu 27:19 KJV) Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. . . . . . Doesn't beat around the bush here. This is huge, like 'don't take advantage of anybody'. (see Matthew 5:47-48 ['And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.']) I actually told a local businessman that profit is contrary to God's doctrine.
(Job 22:7 KJV) Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.
. . . . . Actually everybody who acquieces to the status quo fits this bill huh?(Job 24:4 KJV) They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
. . . . . Wrote a letter to an editor back in '84 I think ('85; here it is) where I mentioned how the slums of Mexico City were being inundated by hungry peasants hoping to find food in garbage dumps and such. Easy place to hide.(Psa 68:5 KJV) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
. . . . . "Judge" is better translated "advocate" (Strong's defines the Hebrew word dayan as "judge or advocate") here huh?(Psa 72:4 KJV) He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
. . . . "Oppressor" could translate "overflowing"; in other words, people with more than they need. Might read "He shall avenge the poor...and break in pieces the hold of ordinary mind."(Psa 72:12-14 KJV) For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
. . . . Basically the least esteemed of the world it would seem. The spiritual violence of free enterprise which allows neighbor stabbing neighbor in the back might be worse than the physical violence.(Psa 74:19 KJV) O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever.
. . . . . The Lord's poor appear to be the destitute and helpless and even hand-to-mouth types, huh?(Psa 74:20 KJV) Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.
. . . . . The covenant is an agreement people profess to follow, like love God with all your heart and mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself appears to be our end of the agreement.(Psa 74:21 KJV) O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.
. . . . . "Shuwb", translated here "return", would better be translated "turn away", as from a neighbor who has more than he needs.(Psa 94:1-8 KJV) O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? (emphasis mine)
. . . . . Ode to Ordinary Mind, figurative mode.(Psa 102:17 KJV) He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.
. . . . . This refers to the Lord and what He will do. Doesn't say when. Could be what Isaiah 61:2 calls "the day of vengeance of our God". Like He not only doesn't regard the prayer of the rich, He despises it. (See Amos 5:21-24, e.g.)(Psa 103:6 KJV) The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
. . . . . This must be a prophetic passage, as we know that now the rain falleth on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).(Psa 146:9 KJV) The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
. . . . . This must be prophetic also, for even today as in Malachi's time, "now we call the proud happy".(Prov 1:18-19 KJV) And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain . . .
. . . . . My note on the negative side of what we might call the profit motive might seem more reasonable with these verses considered also.
. . . . . This might be a good place to consider my journal entry(*) on some encounters with car salesmen and also Peter's warning about "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" in light of my note (on 1 Peter 5:8) which reads "Could be, in both broad and narrow senses, our adversary ordinary mind."(Prov 14:20 KJV) The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends.
. . . . . See verse 21 (below) and note.
(Prov 14:21 KJV) He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
. . . . . People professing to be Christians too often think, I've hypothesized, that people who are destitute and impoverished are inferior, even spiritually lost. Rationalization: Giving money to charity/church (not the same thing huh?) can easily be construed as justification for a lifestyle which might be abomination to the Lord. ("The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord" might have made me choose the word. [see Proverbs 8:15 and 21:27]) Notice in these two verses the (continued) juxtaposition of sinners (with money) and poor people (without).(Prov 15:25 KJV) The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
. . . . . See note above on Psalms 146:9. Could and maybe should read "poor, oppressed, afflicted people" instead of "widow".(Prov 15:27 KJV) He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
. . . . . "Greedy" might better translate "given to covetousness". Not much difference. How about a bigger tv, a newer car, a freakin' house with new kitchen counters and tile in the bathroom? Remember that this old world is made up of mostly needy and some greedy. Kind of a big picture verse.(Prov 21:10 KJV) The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
. . . . . The wicked could be simply people, rather kind and gentle and sincere about wanting to obey God, who work and work five or six days a week say to get more and more, bigger and better stuff, huh? Because "wicked" translates "lawless" "mischievous" (or even "make trouble"[ by bowing down to the idol of the status quo]) and we're talking about justice and judgment and (for the only law) love our neighbor as we love ourselves being almost just like love God with all our heart and mind and strength. "His neighbor" here would be all the hungry people in the world, who we can help whensover we will. (or will we?)"(Prov 21:13 KJV) Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
. . . . . What did Jesus say? Matthew 25:45 (see above for 25-45), e.g., "Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me."( partial emphasis mine). Or Matthew 23:23: "ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith". Or Matthew 7:22-23: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
. . . . . Note also an alternative translation of 'wicked' ("morally wrong")and its application in today's society in Proverbs 21:10 note (above). Paul said if we would judge ourselves we would not be judged, and I think I'll not be alone when I say there are a lot of hard-hearted, stiff-necked folks who think themselves to be "good people".(Eccl 5:1 KJV) Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
. . . . . "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to the Lord" (Prov 15:8 and 21:27). This verse's "be more ready to hear" might translate more correctly "approach understanding and obedience", i.e., discover God's will for His people( all His people [question: Who are His people? (answer: Everybody.)]). The sacrifice of fools, it seems more and more likely, is people tithing and basking in their (self-perceived and reinforced by the priests and preachers they rule without knowing it) salvation while in fact they are hearing but not hearing, seeing and not seeing, simply not understanding the reality of their situation, i.e., the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
. . . . . A digression of sorts: just did a short study of the Proverbial "fool" and it turns out that in this book there are three words translated as "fool". One, occurring nineteen times, can translate "lax or careless habit of mind and body" (have too much and want more; forget the poor); another, occurring forty-nine times, might read ""fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety" (not my emphasis: consider: now we call the proud/rich happy, who have more than they need and don't love the poor huddled masses who are starving and malnourished); the third, which occurs only three times in the book, translates "a vulgar churl" (the traditional translation).(Isa 32:7 KJV) The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
. . . . . "The churl" is one who is "withholding" or "niggardly"; he devises "mischievous" (often worse) instruments which "bind, spec. by a pledge" the poor. Sounds like the system to me, the system of common sense, ordinary mind, easy credit (but the worse your credit rating, the higher the interest rate; see e.g., rates at rent-to-own places and [car]title credit joints).(Prov 21:15 KJV) It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
. . . . . Remember my study of the poor (and yeah, you're in it now), correlating so strongly the needy with God's judgment and justice? How about Lao Tsu's "The way of heaven is to take from those who have too much and give to those who do not have enough."? God's way methinks. The strait and narrow way. "The motion of the Tao is return." "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." "God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7)"(Prov 22:16 KJV) He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
. . . . . Guess this lends some validity to my rent raves huh? (See here.)(Isa 1:23 KJV) Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
. . . . . Translate "rebellious" as "morally backsliding (which must be morally wrong)" and think about our system of business and government. Now we find princes as the leaders of the status quo. Note again that the importance of what I'd like to call poor folks is prominent. No, not merely prominent: huge.(Jer 7:6-7 KJV) If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
. . . . . Actually "for ever and ever" should read "till the end of time", huh? Anybody got any problem with that? I'll probably post "Behold A Pale Horse" tomorrow. (yeah, right. well, maybe.)(Jer 22:3 KJV) Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.
. . . . . Violence, as I've noted on this site, can certainly be spiritual, psychological if you will, as well as physical. Again we have tremendous emphasis placed on oppressed people. And they might be oppressed by circumstance (the stranger, the poor), situation (fatherless, widows), people ( let's say) the spoiled in the hand of the oppressor, the system, ordinary mind.(Jer 49:11 KJV) Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me.
. . . . . A promise of God. He isn't very subtle about making His point sometimes huh, and again we see His promise for the poor. Most people (in Amerika and developed nations anyway) need to look out.(Isa 11:4 KJV) But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
. . . . . Another promise kind of promising for the have-nots and kind of frightening for any haves who have ears to hear huh? God will smite the earth with the rod of His mouth. Looks pretty good for the poor and the meek and oppressed anyway.(Ezek 22:7 KJV) In thee have they set light by father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
. . . . . Referring to 'the bloody city', now probably 'the bloody country with the golden door' huh? Notice how the wicked are 'in the midst', like they have no clue they are morally wrong.(Ezek 22:12) In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
. . . . . Actually the rich get richer and for the most part haven't recognized that their greedy gains are at the expense of all their neighbors in the world, especially (when it comes to accountability) the shedding of the blood of the tens of thousands of human beings who die of hunger each and every day. (somewhere i write of saying publicly that profit is contrary to God's doctrine; notice here that increase and gain are singled out for His derision.(Mat 23:14 KJV) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
. . . . . The sad part, of course, is that Jesus is addressing the people who go to church now just as certainly as He addressed the church people of His day, and neither group got the message. Well, better a living dog Proverbs says...(Mat 23:23 KJV) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
(Job 29:12 KJV) Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
. . . . . Job was blessed because . . . (read the verse).(Psa 140:12 KJV) I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.
. . . . . Like, how is it you do not understand?( see Prov 1:22[ How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?]) And here maybe I should lay claim to Job's phrase in the verse somewhere on this page: "the cause which I knew not I searched out."(Prov 29:7 KJV) The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
. . . . . Jesus was simply huge on sharing with people in need and loving others (as ourselves! very difficult doctrine which amazed even the disciples[ Mark 10:24: "the disciples were astonished at his words", and verse 26: "they were astonished out of measure"]). "Wicked" can be translated as "lawless" recall, people who even pay lip service (and even tithe) to God, but whose hearts are far from Him. The devil of ordinary mind has them in such a grip they don't want to hear the truth and when they do it's rejected out of hand. Kind of like Jesus saying in Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.(Dan 4:27 KJV) . . . let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor . . .
. . . . . Looks like righteousness could have a big focus on showing mercy to the poor eh? I mean, this was Daniel telling the king how to be, and what's that about? What's good for the goose is good for the gander? How about the rain falls on the just and the unjust?(Psa 94:15 KJV) But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
. . . . . Thought this was another good 'judgment' verse for this study in light of the following verses:(Ezek 18:7-9 KJV) And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man, Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.
. . . . . Another not-beating-around-the-burning-bush bit huh? Think about my epiphany (yeah, sure . . .) that profit is evil as you read these verses.(Rom 14:17 KJV) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
. . . . . See Sermon on the Mount. ("Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." Matthew 6 and Luke 12 and "The son of man hath not a place to lay his head. "Matthew 8 and Luke 9) It simply is not about things, not about fulfilling desires of the more common sorts. Money. Power. Sex. Thinkaboutit.(Luke 12:57 KJV) Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?
. . . . . Even today we "ignore the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith"( Matthew 23:23).' And let us not forget the frequent juxtaposition in scripture of judgment and the huddled masses.(Job 34:28 KJV) they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him(God), and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
. . . . . The "they" here seem to be those who bow down to the status quo, who say "I can't make a difference". That God hears the cries of the poor and afflicted definitely goes against the grain of conventional wisdom, which probably holds that poor, oppressed people are in that situation because they have no faith in The God Who Is and that it is God's will is that they remain afflicted.(Isa 3:14 KJV) The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
. . . . . "What you have robbed from the poor is in your houses and portfolios" is a better translation. Again (and again and again) we see that judgment revolves around our treatment of the poor. That rich people don't recognize the truth when it's written out for them is not God's problem.(Isa 29:18-19 KJV) And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
. . . . . This definitely appears to tie together judgment and the poor, huh? And again, just like the verse above, looks like it's those with ears who haven't been hearing will be the ones weeping and gnashing their teeth and begging (talk about the tables being turned huh?) "Lord Lord! Not me!!"(Isa 3:15 KJV) What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
. . . . . Back in the '60s Bob Dylan wrote about the system violently oppressing the poor (albeit spiritually) and ordinary mind/people saying to the poor "sing while you slave" (and he added "I just get bored").(Isa 61:8 KJV) For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
. . . . . If I hadn't put the "sacrifice of the wicked" notes (at Prov 14:21 & Eccl 5:1 [way above]) I might have skipped this, but perhaps those need a little reinforcement. Again we see judgment prominent and giving to the church (see Matthew 23:23) mentioned in the same derogatory fashion. Rich people rob the poor people and use the proceeds as an offering.(Isa 56:1 KJV) Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
. . . . . Judgment and justice, I hope we are coming to see, are synonymous with doing good to poor people everywhere 'whensoever we will'. Important stuff. See Matthew 23:23 et al. Jesus was obviously (to me) declaring this verse when He said "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." When the righteousness of God is collectively sought, even if it is the form of lots of people in the grip of ordinary mind in border-line panic mode (realizing that the love and light of the universe seeks all people and desires that all people turn to it and considers the have/have-not status quo nothing but abomination) seeking to escape the day of vengeance, when that righteousness is sought out in word and deed, then God's salvation (the kingdom of heaven, the end of time, the end of matter, no more mind, only spirit) truly is near.' Border-line radical huh?(Isa 1:16-17 KJV) Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
. . . . . I know I already put verse 17 up, but take a look, maybe from eyes that see a little differently (and don't forget how that heart is deceitful, your mind can really yank on your heart and try to turn it around but that big horse those reins (see *) are trying to control can get the bit in its mouth remember), take a look around at the evil of today, reckon the evil of today is sufficient unto itself? Reckon twenty-four thousand people dying of hunger yesterday is the result of our failure to exercise, no, not exercise, our failure to even seek judgment (see this verse [Isa 1:17])? (And read Jeremiah 5:1) Think God's judgment has anything to do with the oppressed, the poor?
(Isa 1:18 KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
. . . . . Wow, what a promise, what a breakthrough from verses 16-17. Let us make an end to the matter (see note on verses 16-17); all we have to do is change it all (hey, change one big thing huh?) and our sins shall be white as snow.(Isa 1:19-20 KJV) If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
. . . . . Wow, what a promise. Maybe just obey the two great commandments and "eat the good of the land" huh? I've been working a little from time to time for years on a study of "sword" and, interestingly(?), it seems to intersect my study of that 'great and terrible' Day of the Lord (here).(Isa 26:5-6 KJV) For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
. . . . . Looks to be a promise echoed by Jesus in Luke 16:25 ("Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented") for rich people. Recall how amazed His disciples were when He told them how difficult it is for a rich person to be saved, i.e., called and chosen. "Now we call the proud happy"( Mal 3:15) and "Woe to those at ease in Zion"( Amos 6:1) are examples of people living the proverbial good life, people trying to be obedient to God and believing they are being obedient to Him who, according to my studies, would do well to change their attitude and their manner of giving say.(Prov 21:3 KJV) To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
. . . . . Is anyone beginning to think our treatment of the poor by what we might call the system is critical in the matters of justice and judgment? Just raise your hand and I'll bring you a piece of candy.
. . . . . Does anybody remember what the Bible says about people giving to the church and ignoring more important matters?(Prov 21:2 KJV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.. . . . . Well, I saw this and it's off the subject a little, but hey, our hearts, our will (individually and collectively) seems to be so critical to our situation let me add a note to this verse: This might particularly be applicable to those utterly conformed to the norms and mores of their particular society, like Saul to the Jews.
(Psa 109:16-17 KJV) Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
. . . . The 17th verse might well be the bottom line: "as he delighted not in blessing (the poor and needy of verse 16), so let it (the blessings of God) be far from him." "Persecuted" in verse 16, by the way, figuratively translates "gone by", as in opportunities to help passed up by not "show(ing) mercy".(Psa 94:4 KJV) How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?
. . . . . "they pay tithe of mint and luxuries and ignore the weightier matters of justice and judgment" and "now we call the proud happy"
(Psa 94:5 KJV) They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage.
. . . . . The status quo says "the poor ye shall have with you always" and stop, rather than consider that "whensoever we would, we could do them good."
(Psa 94:6 KJV) They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
. . . . . Figuratively mostly, the 'little people' get walked on by the 'workers of iniquity' in verse 4, and they are not being hard or mean necessarily but being part of the problem by accepting the status quo and without even realizing it.
(Psa 94:7 KJV) Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
. . . . . "Now we call the proud happy." How about "the priests bear rule by their means and my people love to have it so"?
(Psa 94:8 KJV) Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
. . . . . Really asking do we understand judgment and justice and important things huh?(Psa 37:28 KJV) For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
. . . . . Okay, one more 'judgment' verse, and another promise about the Lord's day of vengeance. My note says '"Judgement" might best be translated "obeying divine law", i.e., forsaking ordinary mind and loving even our enemy neighbors to the point that we do to them as we would have them do to us, i.e., help. Judgment also is what Jesus said the believers ignored as in "Ye pay tithe . . . and ignore the weightier (i.e. more important) matters of law and judgment and justice..."( Matthew 23:23)'(James 1:27 KJV) Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
. . . . . Faith without works is dead, James said. Pure religion is to help oppressed people(James 2:5-6 KJV) Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
. . . . . Now here's a really scary one. Many are called but few are chosen and here James says God has chosen the poor who have faith. (Remember how scared the disciples got when Jesus said how hard it is for rich people to get to heaven?) And I don't guess there are many people who will dispute (and believe) that the justice system in this country was established by people with money and property for people with money and property and remains firmly grounded on that foundation.(Job 30:25 ) Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
. . . . . Could be the cry of a sincere(ly wrong) man on that great and terrible day huh? Job was rich and probably wore nice clothes every day he left the house. Reminds me of Luke 16:25 ("Abraham said, [rich man], remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." [here's a bit on this parable.])(Amos 2:6-7a KJV) Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek:
. . . . . And the worst of it is, people don't realize they're doing these things. The heart is very deceitful indeed, as (me and) Jeremiah 17:9 points out. Again though, we see God's judgment based on our treatment of the poor, meek, afflicted peasants of the world.(Amos 5:11-15 KJV) Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.
"You have had your good times, and Lazarus his bad; now he (and the poor and needy and oppressed like him) has been given the key to heaven's gate, while you have fallen into the depths of the pit from which you cannot escape," might be the message.
For I know your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.
The status quo develops fortunes by taking from those who need, it is profit-oriented, it neglects those who are in even desperate need.
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.
Maybe the prudent will stop talking trash about people who want to change things huh?
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.
Love God more than you think possible and everybody on earth like yourself. Seek judgment and justice for everyone, so Jeremiah 5:1 will be moot say. Remember that "every idle word( Mat 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.)"
Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
The evil is that some have more than they need while others starve huh? "It may be . . ."(Amos 8:4-11 KJV) Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.
Free enterprise is the freedom to do spiritual violence on your neighbor. The profit motive is evil. People accumulate fortunes on the backs of poor people, even when they like "create" wealth, as I think some economist types like to say. I said all that.
Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
"For this" it says, you know, "For all this His anger is not turned away but His hand is stretched out still."
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:
"That day", apparently a dark one, is discussed at length in el (wud-be) study of the judgment.
And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.
I've been waiting for the days of "now we call the proud happy" to end for just about twenty years now.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
I'm hoping that these are the days we've been in for a real long time and we're about to see these past as well.(Psa 146:5-9 KJV) Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: . . .
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Could be it's only now we call the proud(rich) happy, huh? This is in both my (wud-be) study of the poor and the judgment. The judgment in all caps etc. and our treatment of the poor ["which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry"] seem inextricably linked to me.)(John 21:15-17 KJV) . . . (Jesus) saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, . . . (Jesus) saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, . . . Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
. . . . . Here is found a very familiar passage to many in quite a prominent place in the scriptures, being perhaps the last critical matter addressed in the Gospels, what might be called the last account of what some like to call the Great Commission. I addressed this a bit here.(Luke 14:12-14 KJV) When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
. . . . . Well, more end times stuff: "the resurrection of the just". What I wish to impress on people is that there is cause and effect involved in our lives, and that the bottom line, when time ends (the phrase "time of the end" appears five times in Daniel) Jesus is going to say 'I told you (Matthew 28:19-20 says) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."(emphasis mine)' and (Matthew 16:27) "the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.". . . .(John 15:14 KJV) Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.( some emphasis mine)
. . . . This follows His observance in verse 10 that "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love..."
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