Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1946-09-20
JESUS AND THE LAW OF THE
STRANGER


LESSON TExT-Exodus 22:2i.23: Deu.
teronomy gaia. Is; Matthew 2s;A.N.
MEMORY SELECTION The King
shall answer and say unto them, Verify
say unto you. lnasmuch as ye have
done II unto one Of the least Of these
nay brethren. " have done II unto me-
Matthew $500.
There Il az much need today
for the words Of counsel and ad-
monition regarding strangers which
we find In our lesson. a. there was
in the days Of Moses, for there
seems to be an almost complete
breakdown Of neighborliness both
between nations and individuals.
I. The Law Required Neighberli.
ness tExod. 22:2l-23; Deut. 24:1A
49,.
Our heavenly Father as revealed
10 US in his Word is Father In
deed. one greatly concerned about
his many children; but especially
does he care for those who are weak
and needy.
The laws Of ancient Israel made
provision for the feeding Of those
who had no fields. The corners Of
the field were left uncut at harvest
time. some OF the grapes were to
be left on the vine. etc. so that the
poor could enjoy the sense Of self
respect as they picked for them
selves what God had provided (see
Lev. 1879, 10; 1922; Deut. "a: 1921.
and other passages).
The poor man who found work
was to receive his pay when need
ed. For the one who hired him to
do otherwise was to bring upon
himself the judgment Of God. He
listens to the cry Of the hungry
worker and his family (Deut. a. l5).
Strangers were in a peculiar way
subject to the possibility Of extor-
ton. They are even today the easy
mark Of the one who lives by his
wits. the confidence" man and
sneak thief.
II any such person reads these
notes let me warn him solemnly to
keep his tricky hands of the stran-
ger. for God 10 watching and will
hear their cry (Exod. 22:20.
The same IL true Of widows and
orphans. God is their keeper and
their defender.
Someone may say that all this is
Old Testament in its background
and principle. What about the fol.
lower Of Christ in our day? The an.
swer Is that
II. Christ Expects Neighborli.
ness Matt. IS: 34-4D.
This is a prophetic picture of a
great judgment scene. II is not, as
many suppose, the same as the
judgment of the Great White
Throne of Revelation 20.
The scene here is not in heaven,
but upon the earth. II is not individ
uals who are being judged, but the
nations Of the earth. They are moi
being judged regarding per
sonal salvation. but for their treat
ment Of Christ's brethren.
Who are his brethren7 First W.
think Of his brethren. after the flesh
the people Of the Jewish race. Scrip
ture reveals again and again thai
God 10 watching over his chosen
people. even though they are nov
scattered in judgment for their I'm
belief. He will not hold any guiltles,
who harm his people (Gen. l2:l-O
The word brethren" 10 also used
In such . passage - Matthew IL:
$3.50 10 include all who do the will
Of God. That suggests . broader ap
plication Of these words.
Our attitude toward God ex
presses itssk tn our attitude toward
our fellow man. That which We dc
toward those about W 10 not q mat
tss Of indifference. but 10 the bash
for Gods judgment Of our lives,
Each q W must answer Tor ths
dseds lone 10 the 6ssh whether they
b good Of svu. That h true ever
Of ne believes III Cor. 500. whose
salvauoa has slresdy BEEN deter
mined b hls faith h Christ
Here b our Lessen. however. thu
failure 70 Do that which shows forth
God's lav q love 70 made th&
ground a eternal Judgment Thli
y ~ bsssaass a scs q kindness
'Itssl esa b regarded % IN
ground q division. but because th<
failure 70 give II OF Do II rsAscti
an attitude Of heart toward our Cod
and bis Christ which 10 In reality Z
rejection oe his way of salvation
Judgment 10 thus . revelation a
he attitude of the heart. which
marks Q man or woman % being
either saved or lost. II may BE- pos
sibls 70 % beeloud the thinking d
our friends and neighbors that W
may 20 through life looking some
thing like . Christian, but wher
Christ judges. Il will all Be revealed
Notice the importance Of Z prope,
attitude toward those who need oui
kindness and help. All too often the
only concern Of men and women II
to look out for number one" anc
let the rest OF the world shift for II
self
Observe also that the Lord identi
fees himself with his brethren
...AaA L. Anna "a md for thntra L.