In the Father’s Ways 遵行上帝的道

[Dexu Xia]

In the Father’s Ways

They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. 1 Samuel 8:3

In the 1960s, the bustling community of North Lawndale, on Chicago’s West Side, was a pilot community for interracial living. A handful of middle-class African Americans bought homes there on “contract”—that combined the responsibilities of home ownership with the disadvantages of renting. In a contract sale, the buyer accrued no equity, and if he missed a single payment, he would immediately lose his down payment, all his monthly payments, and the property itself. Unscrupulous sellers sold at inflated prices, then the families were evicted when they missed a payment. Another family would buy on contract, and the cycle fueled by greed just kept going.

Samuel appointed his sons judges over Israel, and they were driven by greed. His sons “did not follow his ways” (1 Samuel 8:3). In contrast to Samuel’s integrity, his sons “turned aside after dishonest gain” and used their position to their own advantage. This unjust behavior displeased the elders of Israel and God, putting in motion a cycle of kings that fills the pages of the Old Testament (vv. 4–5).

To refuse to walk in God’s ways allows room for the perversion of those values, and as a result injustice flourishes. To walk in His ways means honesty and justice are clearly seen not only in our words but in our deeds as well. Those good deeds are never an end in themselves but always that others may see and honor our Father in heaven.

What current example of injustice are you aware of? What is one way you can work toward justice in that example?

God, injustice surrounds us on every side, often overwhelming our hearts. Help me to stand with those who suffer and commit my life to walking in Your ways.

遵行上帝的道

他儿子不行他的道，贪图财利，收受贿赂，屈枉正直。—撒母耳记上8章3节

在1960年代，位于芝加哥西城繁荣热闹的北朗岱尔（North Lawndale）社区，率先成为不同种族混合居住的社区。一小群中产阶级的非裔美国人在那里购买“契约”房产。与其说是拥有房子，倒不如说是租房子，因为契约上的条件十分苛刻。只要欠缴一期的房款，就会马上损失订金，以及先前缴纳的房款，并且失去房子。无良的卖方会以高价出售房屋，而原有的买主就会被赶出去，然后又会有另一个家庭以契约买下房子，这样的情况因着人的贪婪而一再重复。

撒母耳任命他的儿子们作以色列的士师，但他们却因贪婪而“不行他的道”（撒母耳记上8章3节）。他们与撒母耳的忠诚正义背道而驰，不但“贪图财利”，并且利用其职位牟取私利。这种不公义的行为惹怒上帝与以色列的长老，开启旧约时期的君王时代（4-5节）。若拒绝遵行上帝的道，我们的价值观就很容易受到扭曲，而导致许多不公义的事情发生。若行上帝的道，我们就要让人从我们的言语和行为清楚看见诚实与公义。当我们如此行，别人就能看见并归荣耀给我们的天父上帝。

上帝，在我们四周有许多不公义的事，常令人伤痛。求祢帮助我能体谅受害者的处境，使我遵行祢的道。

在现今社会中，你知道有什么不公义的事吗？针对这些事，你可以用哪种方法伸张公义？