Readings for today: 2 Samuel 13-15
Injustice is a curse upon any land. It destroys relationships between individuals. Tears apart families and clans. It shatters the peace and stability of a nation. I think of the places I have been where there is no justice. National governments are corrupt, enriching themselves off of foreign aid while their own people starve. Villages are at the mercy of roving gangs who routinely raid in order to kill, steal, and destroy. There are no police. At least any that a person would trust. There are no laws. At least any that are consistently and fairly enforced. There is no hope. Only perpetual cycles of helplessness. It’s heartbreaking to witness.
We see the devastating impact of injustice in our reading for today. In the ancient kingdom of Israel, justice was one of the primary responsibilities of the king. Sadly, David’s rape of Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah, leads to a series of similar crimes within his own family. Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. Rather than marry her, her casts her out of his home, dooming her to a life full of shame as a “ruined” woman. Rather than execute justice and punish Amnon, David seems to let it go. This leads to Absalom taking matters into his own hands. He kills Amnon in an act of vigilante violence and then flees the king’s justice himself. After three years, Absalom is allowed to return but David refuses to see him. Two more years pass. Finally, David relents to restore Absalom but it is clear there is distance between them. Absalom takes advantage of his restoration by acting in the king’s stead and offering justice to the people of Israel. As a result, their hearts turn towards him, leading to a civil war. It’s a heartbreaking cycle that only comes to an end when Absalom is killed.
Consider the cost of David’s unwillingness to promote justice in his family and in his kingdom. He loses two sons. His daughter suffers the trauma and shame of rape. His household is divided. He is betrayed by some of those closest to him. His own son rises up against him to try to steal his throne. Many of his people will die in the battles that follow. The seeds are sown for the future, more permanent, division of the kingdom of Israel. This is why we must not only pray for justice in our own country but do all we can to promote justice as well. We must hold our leaders accountable when they act selfishly and engage in corruption. We must not look away from oppression but instead rise up to fight back. Most of all, we must make sure to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with our God in our own lives so our families and our communities will be blessed.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55