Don't rob a poor person because he is poor, 

and don"t crush the oppressed at the city gate, 

for the Lord will champion their cause and will plunder those who plunder them.

Proverbs 22:22-23 CSB

There's a bit more to this proverb than a moral requirement...God's heart for the poor, his heart for the oppressed, the marginalised, the vulnerable, is exposed. 

The other thing that's exposed here are the systems that marginalise people and keep them there. As we sit with this proverb questions pop up like why are there people living at the margins, at the city gate, vulnerable to being plundered?

What are the systems that allow that to continue?

What makes it OK for society?

There is hope here for those trapped in poverty, in abusive families, trapped at the margins, at the city gate. 

God sees you.

And He is not happy about the way people's hearts have structured things to benefit some and exploit others, use others, abuse others.

Some days it would just be better if Jesus returned and set things right, but in the meantime, follow God's heart here, see people, see the broken systems, and act where you can. 

"It is not your duty to finish the work, 

but neither are you at liberty to neglect it"

Rabbi Tarfon

Perkei Avot 2:16

#proverbs

#wisdom

#somethingtochewon