This week's passage focuses on the need to help the poor--a common admonition in the Old Testament. Note: the gate is the place where disputes between litigants were decided.
Do not rob the poor because they are poor,.
or crush the afflicted at the gate;
for the Lord pleads their cause
and despoils of life those who despoil them(22-23)
This is pretty threatening.
As we arrange our lives, do we consider the statements presented as facts in verses 8-9?
Whoever serves injustice will reap calamity,.
and the rod of anger will fail.
Those who are generous are blessed,
for they share their bread with the poor
An example of how we might respond to this lesson is demonstrated in a letter that UM clergy received this week:
INFORMATION FROM SOCIETY OF ST. ANDREW
The Society of St. Andrew still needs help picking watermelons in Port Gibson, MS. There are thousands of pounds of melons available, that left unpicked will just be tilled back into the ground. I am planning a watermelon gleaning on Saturday, September 12th and could use as many volunteers as possible. We normally start gleaning at 8:00 and pick until around 11:00.
Our growing season will be ending soon, so please take this opportunity to pitch in and help feed the hungry in Mississippi. I hope with this advance notice we will have lots of pickers and will be able to fill a truck from the Mississippi Food Network.
Anyone interested should contact me by phone or email and I will give you the details.
Thanks,
Jackie Usey
Society of St. Andrew
Program Coordinator
gleanms@endhunger.org
769-233-0887
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