Taking Up Cases
There are many kinds of sins. All of them fall into two broad categories, though. There are sins of commission, which are the sins we think about most of the time. These are sins where we do something that is displeasing to God or forbidden by God. However, there are also sins of omission. These sins are when we fail to do the right things. Both types of sins are equally as destructive in God's eyes, and it should be that way with us, too. The people of God in Jeremiah's day were committing plenty of sins in both categories. (Jeremiah 5:28-29). They became fat and sleek, and they excelled in evil matters, sins of commission. Also, they did not take up cases. They did not take up the case of the fatherless to help them prosper, and they did not defend the rights of the needy. God had warned them about these sins, so He made a declaration. He told His people they should have taken up a case for the fatherless to help them prosper, and they had not defended the rights of the needy as they should have. Therefore, for these sins, God said that He was justified in punishing His people until these things ended in confession and repentance. This is God's way of dealing with us, as Christians, today, too.
If we put all of the emphasis on getting rich and having all the best clothes to make us look good, we will become fat and sleek. Those are not the things God wants us to prioritize. God wants us to make sure we are not "excelling" in matters that are evil, things which displease God and go against His will and His ways. That is what our neighbors and co-workers may be doing, so we must not get caught up in those things. Also, we must be in the practice of taking up cases for those who have special needs. This is because now we are God's people, the church. We are to champion the cases that God cares about, to be His hands and feet in this world. These cases are not just limited to helping the fatherless and defending the needy. We must be determined to make sure we work for justice for all people, so all have a chance to prosper and to have what they need to live their lives. This is why churches have ministries for the homeless and benevolence ministries. It is also why churches support orphanages, shelters, and other ministries to help people in need. We, as Christians, need to be involved personally, too, not just giving our money. God wants us to have a case to which we give our time, talents, and money. If we do these two things, God will not want to punish us but to bless us well.
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Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 7-9.