10Do not move an ancient landmark
or enter the fields of the fatherless,
11for their Redeemer is strong;
he will plead their cause against you.

Proverbs 23:10-11

Andy is in Shawshank Prison for the murder of his wife. His sentence is severe, but he is able to make a few friends. One inmate, Tommy, is willing to share evidence that clears Andy’s name for the murder he was framed for. When Tommy expresses to Warden Norton that he has this liberating evidence, the Warden has Tommy shot. The Warden couldn’t risk losing Andy’s financial services for his laundering scheme.

Tommy had a chance to testify for Andy, but he wasn’t strong enough to avoid death.

If you ever want to know God’s opinion on the poor and marginalized, spend time in Proverbs. There are plenty of examples of God advocating for the powerless. In Proverbs 23:10-11, God vows to testify against you in the court of law if you do anything to take away land or wealth from widows.

Looking into the severity of the issue, God is willing to cut ties with you and put you under the bus for the sake of the poor. That should tell us how special God’s relationship is with those that cannot defend themselves.

This reveals two important truths. We need to be careful how we run our lives so we don’t hurt the poor and marginalized. We don’t want to support businesses or laws that push people out of their homes. When God takes the witness stand, he might be shutting down something you supported

God is a redeemer in scripture. He takes objects of poverty and helplessness and labors to exalt them. Take that to the New Testament and we have Jesus as the redeemer of the whole earth. Every human is poor and powerless until they align themselves with Jesus, who empowers us.

Figure it Out:

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.[a] 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

James 5:1-6

  1. Circle all the words and phrases that stood out to you. What made them stand out?
  2. What is God’s role in this?
  3. What is humanity’s role in this?
  4. What warning should the reader take from this passage?