People Helping People

Exodus 20:1-22:15

Today's OYCB reading is revealing, to say the very least. Religious people will not be quick to refer to this passage of scripture in its entirety. The irony of it however, is that the same religious people refer to 'part' of it more often than perhaps any other scripture.

This reading covers the Ten Commandments.

But this reading also covers a couple of touchy subjects: slavery and polygamy.

I am not making this up, so, don't shoot the messenger! The subjects covered in today's OYCB reading are the record of instructions God Almighty gave to Moses for the Israelites.

Here are a couple questions we should ask ourselves without bias:

1. If God saw slavery as a violation of human rights, why then did He not take this opportunity to prohibit it? Why, instead, did God make provision with specific instructions for the fair treatment of slaves?
2. Likewise, if God saw polygamy as a violation of marriage, why then did He not take this opportunity to prohibit it? Why, instead, did God make provision with specific instructions for the rights of multiple wives?

We must remember, these instructions are not found buried deep in obscure scripture! They are found flanking THE pillar scriptures for human morality, the Ten Commandments! They are found in the same conversation that produced the Ten Commandments.

I have addressed this topic before in the context of this blog. It is not apt to ever be considered a 'brilliant' moment for me. However, I refuse to think these two topics in particular are not without social significance to humanity. I will attempt to support my point...

As social programs go, there was a time in American history that social welfare programs genuinely seemed like the best thing for those struggling financially in the USA. However, today, it is all too obvious, that our welfare programs have worked the opposite of their intended purpose "to help" and, have instead, largely enabled laziness and entitlement without accountability. Our country really thought this social program was the morally right human thing to do. But time has proven overwhelmingly differently. Yes, there remain those who genuinely need help, but our social programs are rife with abuse and un-accountability.

So, the point is, just because we 'think' something is right, does not make it right. Just because we 'think' something is Biblical does not make it Biblical. For example: we may justify our social welfare programs by quoting popular scriptures about giving. But what about the early foundational scriptures (found in today's OYCB reading) about human morality that gives credence to slavery as a social program - even providing instructions for the fair execution of it?

This is not about racism. It is about people helping people.

And, to further paint myself in a corner, if slavery is endorsed as a working social program by the Bible (and not at all prohibited), then polygamy (acknowledged and addressed in the same setting), has a social benefit as well.

However, to see any social benefit from either of these two topics, one must be willing to first lay down all personal bias. These topics are at the core of what modern man has come to know as basic human rights. Indoctrination against the practices of slavery and polygamy has gone far past the point of no return. It is safe to say that the benefit of these solutions will never again be seen as long as the earth as we know it exists.

All I am saying is that God's determination of basic human rights (found in the Bible) does not match man's determination of basic human rights. We might speculatively conclude that God agreed with us had He remained totally silent on these topics. But He did not. Instead, God actually addressed the proper execution of these social conditions - just a few sentences away from "Thou shalt not kill."

I ask myself just now, "What is the use in even discussing this?" I must confess, it is, for any practical purpose, pointless. However, I believe it is worth noting that we owe it to God to search for Truth from the Bible. And, we must be willing to accept that Truth as it comes. We have every assurance that the Bible will affect change in our lives and attitudes. Even if only in our minds we consider God's heart on these topics, it might positively affect our social perspective.

If you read this and are enraged, please accept my genuine apologies. But if you read this and find yourself saying, "Wow, I hadn't seen it that way before..." then, you are welcome. I hope your journey with God continues to be one of revelation and ever-increasing relationship. And, who knows? Maybe as I (we) continue to learn more about our Father God and His amazing story, there will be yet another perspective on these topics in the years to come...

Father, I am grateful that, even though I must be cautious as my relationship with others goes, I can have full confidence that You fully engage me in the Truth of Your Word and that You are equally fully committed to helping me continue to learn and grow.