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looking out for the little people

Jeremiah 22:1-5 (JDV)

Jeremiah 22:1 This is what Yahveh says: “Go down to the house of the king of Judah and speak this word there.

Jeremiah 22:2 You are to say, ‘Hear the word of Yahveh, king of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David – you, your officers, and your people who enter these gates.

Jeremiah 22:3 This is what Yahveh says: Do justice and righteousness. Snatch the one being robbed from his oppressor’s hand. Don’t exploit or brutalize the foreign guest, the orphan, or the widow. Don’t shed innocent blood in this place.

Jeremiah 22:4 Because if you conscientiously carry out this word, then kings sitting on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this house riding on chariots and horses – they, their officers, and their people.

Jeremiah 22:5 But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by myself – this is what Yahveh declares – that this house will become waste.'”

looking out for the little people

Jeremiah’s warning to the king of Judah was that if he did not live up to the covenant his ancestor David had entered with God, his house – that is, his kingship, was going to become waste.

What God wants of a leader is someone who concentrates on taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves. He wants a king who looks after the oppressed, foreign immigrants, orphans and widows.

If a leader is only interested in keeping himself or herself in office, I would suggest they look into the book and see what became of Zedekiah. Looking out for number one is not as important in God’s economy as looking out for the little people.

Lord, may our leaders take seriously their responsibility toward those who need help.

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Books by Jefferson Vann