Justice Be Our Shield and Defender

The fifth chapter of the book of Nehemiah is very insightful on the subject of "Justice", which has become scarce and elusive to most African societies today.  The chapter begins by detailing how Nehemiah was informed about the injustice and oppression of the poor in Jerusalem:

Nehemiah 5:1-5 states "Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.” Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.” Still others were saying, “We have had to borrow money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”

Please note that although the Jewish exiles had been freed by King Cyrus to go and rebuild their beloved city, Jerusalem, their rich country men, nobles and officials lorded over them and adopted oppressive practices that enslaved their tribesmen. Nehemiah was deeply aggrieved by this evil and summoned its perpetrators to address the matter and hopefully bring it to an end.  Nehemiah did not mince his words; he said it as it was: What you are doing is not right...But let the exacting of usury stop!  Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them...  Please note that usury is the practice of charging excessive interest and it was forbidden in the Law of Moses (Exodus 22:25). 

Nehemiah did not just warn the Jews against oppressing the poor, he went further to lead by example.  He demonstrated true servant leadership by choosing not to eat food allotted to the governor (Neh 5:14) because he did not want to place a heavy burden on the people.  In addition, he did not acquire any land!  Nehemiah had the moral authority to condemn injustice since he lived a life that upheld justice and righteousness.  Most leaders are mum about social evils in the society because they have no moral authority to speak against such practices.  The voice of a leader and the Church is in their righteousness.

Leaders, including Africa's public servants and political leaders, ought to learn from Nehemiah's life if they are to succeed in building their nations and achieve prosperity.  Today, most nations in Africa are in turmoil due to oppressive practices, policies and laws that are perpetuated by their leaders' greed and selfishness.  Nehemiah understood very well that God's Kingdom operates differently from worldly systems: whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave (Mtt 20:26b-27).  Many leaders in our nation have mocked the word "servant leadership" by claiming to be living by its standards and yet their lives exhibit deep seated greed and selfishness.  True leaders must hate injustice and be willing to confront it whenever it arises in their circles of influence.

God's concern for the poor is revealed in almost every book of the Bible.  Nehemiah insisted that fairness to the poor and oppressed was central to following God.  The way we help those in need ought to mirror God's love and concern (NIV commentary).  How is it that Nehemiah was able to flow against the grain and challenge the wicked practice of oppression in Jerusalem.   His fear of and reverence for God compelled him to speak up and confront the "high and mighty" without compromise (Neh 5:15b, 19).  Our love for God compels us to love each other, and by this all men know that we are Christ's disciples.  The early church revered God and loved Him deeply; consequently, they freely shared their wealth such that there were no needy persons among them (Acts 4:34-35).  When the politicians pull off publicity stunts by taking relief food to their counties despite having been in leadership for decades and failed to implement strategies to avert food shortage, and the corporates engage in corporate social responsibility gimmicks to appease the public at the least possible cost, the Church must do it the Bible Way!  Today's leaders and the Church ought to fear God and love Him deeply.  Only then, can they model out true justice and genuine care for the poor. 

Also noteworthy is that God hates injustice.  Amos 5:21-24 states, "I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.  Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them.  Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.  Away with the noise of your songs!  I will not listen to the music of your harps.  But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!"  Injustice causes us to be a stench before God; and our songs a mere noise!  We need to learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless and plead the widow's cause (Isaiah 1:17).  Contrary to worldly principles, It is never God's intention that we should benefit from other people's misfortunes (NIV Commentary). 

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times (Psalm 106:3).  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3).  Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you (Deuteronomy 16:20).  All that the Lord requires of you is to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

The first verse of the Kenyan National Anthem states:

O God of all Creation

Bless this our land and nation

Justice be our shield and defender

May we dwell in unity

Peace and liberty

Plenty be found within our borders

Its amazing how much insight God gave the founding Fathers of our beloved nation, Kenya.  The truth of the matter is that without Justice, there will be no unity, peace, liberty and plenty within our Kenyan borders!  

What are your areas of influence and which areas need your intervention to ensure that justice prevails?  Pray concerning those areas and ask for wisdom on what action to take regarding the injustices.  Also pray to God that by His grace, you may daily uphold justice, show kindness and walk humbly before Him.