“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,”
This is not a reference to the financially struggling although that is one small part of the meaning. “The poor alluded to in this verse are the feeble, weak, helpless members of society.” (Bibleref) God is outraged by people who would exploit these disadvantaged members of their communities. One of the admirable things about the United States over the years is the apparent improvement of treatment to those with limitations and handicaps both physically and emotionally. One Jesus’s shocking lessons in His culture was identifying a man’s blindness as not being the result of his or his parents sin. He explained that it was there as a way to honor God. Then Jesus healed him. If we live trusting that everything we do reflects the heart of our Heavenly Father, how we treat those represented in this truth will be great light shining moments to point toward Him. The alternative is to exploit or abuse these people. The court reference in Solomon’s day was to take them before the gate of judgment where they could further use a corrupt system to sentence them to a life that in their feeble state they will never escape. The key point is a common thread throughout all of scripture. The less fortunate in all areas represent God in this world and, as Jesus famously said, as we treat them we are treating Him. Today value all mankind as representatives of their Creator. #BeTheEdge
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalms 82:3 NIV
