An Eye for an Eye
Reading the Word Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV) — 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. … Continue reading An Eye for an Eye
Tag: Justice
The Great Shepherd
Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental material on Sundays, but I do include a suggested Scripture reading. Please be sure to subscribe to this page to follow along every day. Thanks for … Continue reading The Great Shepherd
Remember
Today’s post is part of our Psalm Saturdays series from guest blogger Robert Chamberlain. You can read his archives at www.roberlain.wordpress.com . Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV)1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.2 On the willows there … Continue reading Remember
From Dust to Dust
Reading the Word Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 (ESV)16 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.17 I said in my heart, God will judge … Continue reading From Dust to Dust
Defend Their Rights
Reading the Word Proverbs 31:8–9 (ESV)8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Understanding and Applying the Word This passage … Continue reading Defend Their Rights
The Poor and Injustice
Reading the Word Proverbs 13:23 (ESV)23 The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food, but it is swept away through injustice. Understanding and Applying the Word What causes people to be poor? Well, there are many reasons we … Continue reading The Poor and Injustice
The Lord Reigns!
Reading the Word Psalm 97:1–5 (ESV) 1 The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! 2 Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. 3 Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around. 4 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. Understanding and Applying the Word The Lord reigns! This is the proclamation of Psalm 97. Notice that it does not say that … Continue reading The Lord Reigns!
Motivated by What Is Right
Reading the Word Mark 15:15 (ESV) 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Parallel Texts: Matthew 27:26; John 19:16 Understanding and Applying the Word In this single verse, we read of how an innocent Jesus ended up on a cross for crucifixion. Pilate, the Roman governor, wanted to please the crowd. The motivation was not doing what was right, but doing what was popular and best for himself, even if an innocent man had to die. Sinfulness causes us all to do terrible things. Imagine … Continue reading Motivated by What Is Right
God Is Just
Reading the Word Luke 18:1–8 (ESV) 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so … Continue reading God Is Just
How Shall We Sing?
Reading the Word Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV) 1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I … Continue reading How Shall We Sing?
