Kingdom Justice in the Midst of Poverty and Injustice

1
Kingdom Justice in the Midst of Poverty and
Injustice
He has shown you, O man, What is good and what
the Lord Requires of you But to do justice And to
love mercy And to walk humbly With your
God (Micah 68)

• Viv Grigg

2
The Biblical Basis for Doing Justice

• God is a God of Justice (Jer 923,34)
• Jesus Objective is to Bring Justice (Isa 421-4)
• We are to Seek first his Kingdom, his justicia
  (Matt 633)
• We are to defend the poor from those who oppress
  (Proverbs 318,9).

3
The Servant of Justice Foretold
Isaiah 421-4 One of the Four Servant Psalms
4
A. The Servant Among the Poor Foretold

• Four Servant Songs
• Isaiah 421-4, 491-6, 504-9, 5213-5312
• Prophecies about Jesus
• Prophecies of a servant among the poor

5
B. The Servant Among the Poor Foretold

• Behold my Servant whom I uphold
• My chosen one in whom I delight
• I will put my Spirit on him and he will establish
  justice in the earth
• He will not falter or be discouraged till he has
  established justice in the earth.

6
The Incarnation Act of Justice That Changed
History

• 1. Down From His Glory
• 2. O The Joy Of Following Jesus!
• 3. Incarnation As A Profound Economic Act
• 4. Incarnation As A Profound Political Act
• 5. Incarnation As A Profound Historical Symbol
• 6. Incarnation As the Beginning Of A New Social
  Ethic.

7
What is Justice?

• The right thing
• The right place
• The right way
• The right timing

8
Four Levels of Doing Justice

1. Personal justice (righteousness)
2. Relational Justice at Family Personal Levels
3. Movements Who Live Justly Seek Justice
4. National/International Justice

9
Personal Justice

• Definition of righteousness (Ezek 187,8)
• The Command (Micah 68)
• Not dealing with issues to high for us (Psalm
  1311)

10
Relational Justice

• Leave Edges of the Crops (Lev 2322)
• Relationship to Authorities
• Speaking Truth Submissive Spirit
• Peacemaking (Matt 58)
• Equity
• Favoring the poor in order that justice is done
• Is God biased
• No, he equalizes, so he helps the poor

11
Development of Justice Movements

• Who live justly
• Who bring justice to their communities

12
Development of Justice Movements

• Doing justice begins in prayer
• E.g. Garbage in the slums
• Those who separate from the world impacts the
  world
• Society is strong when small organisations
  multiply
• Economically small businesses
• Spiritually movements of churches
• Politically grassroots organizations
• These diffuse power in society
• Seek the welfare of the city (Jer 297)

13
Movements for Justice

• Two levels of movements to transform society
• Religious movements among the poor
• Social transformation movements among the elites

14
National/International Justice

• How does a country become injust? (Isa 589-16)
• Transgressions are multiplied
• Denying the Lord, Turning away
• Speaking revolt ?-------------? Speaking
  oppression
• (Breakdown of Consensus)
• Violence ?-------------? Law order
• Beyond Ethics
• Solution a man or woman to intervene

15
Structural Change by Movements among Elite
16
Upper Level Justice

• Joseph, entrusted with the care of his masters
  house (Genesis 396).
• Doesnt belong live as exiles (1 Peter 114,15)
• God is with him success at every stage and
  blessing of those he serves
• Vicious opposition. Good actions may bring evil
  consequences
• Sees two Kingdoms, but fully engaged
• Sets clear boundaries