Unit 2: The Source of Justice
Justice and the Marginalized | Bible Background • DEUTERONOMY 24:10–21 | Devotional Reading • 3 JOHN 1:2–8
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLORE God’s standards for justice, APPRECIATE how God loves those who are poor and marginalized, and SHARE love with those who are rejected by others.
IN FOCUS
IN FOCUS
Melissa couldn’t believe her bad luck. She had been laid off three times in the past two years. Every time she was financially stable, her company announced plans to downsize, or shut down. That evening, Melissa needed time alone, but then her phone rang.
“Brandy told me about the cutbacks,” her brother Adam said sympathetically.
Melissa said, “That wasn’t her news to tell. And you need to mind your own business!” Adam quickly said, “Don’t shut me out again! God has a purpose. He is your provider, not the company. He’s always got your back!”
Melissa hated when her brother got all preachy. His religion was fine for him, but it wasn’t her thing. “Adam, my dinner’s getting cold. I’ve got to go.”
“Sis, wait!” Adam said. “I know you don’t care for Jesus, but He gave His church some very specific instructions about what to do when people hit hard times. I want to help, and my church has a program that might be just right for your current situation.”
“I’m not some charity case, Adam” Melissa said. “I know, Sis,” Adam said. “Just give this a bit of a chance. It can’t hurt. Can I come by and talk with you about it tomorrow?”
Melissa hated that her brother wouldn’t take no for an answer. She hated her situation. But she also hated feeling so much hate at it all. “Tomorrow, then.” Melissa hung up the phone as tears ran down her face.
What programs does your church support to help the disenfranchised and marginalized in your community?
KJV Deuteronomy 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.
17 Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow’s raiment to pledge: 18 But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.
20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.