Thought from today’s Bible reading from Jeremiah 18-22.
“‘Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness and his upper rooms without justice, who uses his neighbor’s services without pay and does not give him his wages, who says, “I will build myself a roomy house with spacious upper rooms, and cut out its windows, paneling it with cedar and painting it bright red.” Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?’ declares the Lord. ‘But your eyes and your heart are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, and on shedding innocent blood and on practicing oppression and extortion’” (Jeremiah 22:13-17).
At the beginning of this passage, it may be easy to assume that the Lord is addressing the rich in general. But as we continue on in the context, it is clear that he is referring to those who rule over the people.
Civil rulers are bound by the law of God just as everyone else is. Leaders are not above the law, and certainly not above God’s law. This short passage contains several instructions to those in power:
- It is wrong to force one to work without compensation (v. 13).
- Riches do not qualify one to lead (v. 14-15).
- Leaders must “do justice and righteousness” (v. 15).
- Leaders must defend the rights of “the afflicted and needy” (v. 16).
- Leaders must be honest and not go after unjust gain (v. 17).
- Oppressing and abusing the people is wrong and contrary to God’s plan (v. 17).
These are just a few of the instructions in God’s word from which, if our leaders would follow them, we would all benefit.
Tomorrow’s reading: Jeremiah 23-25
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
Daily Notes & Observations contains all 365 articles from this series and is available in paperback from Gospel Armory.
