Addressing Mistreatment

Addressing Mistreatment

Exodus 22: ¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. ¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

 

¹⁸ “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

 

¹⁹ “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

 

²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

 

²¹ “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE gave several statements.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing mistreatment of self-control.
• Each of the statements seem unrelated, but may have the same root.
• GOD seems to desire that we become like HIM.

 

Lack of self-control which could lead to mistreating people or self seems to be what GOD is addressing. A male child of the descendants of Israel, needed to have self-control that was not expressed by those who followed the ways of Canaan.

 

When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, they unleashed exposure to desires that would require understanding and to control them. Sexual desires are not bad, but if a man could not control himself, then something needed to be done. In some instances, the situation could not be made right by exchanging wealth.

 

GOD never meant to become the ultimate punisher as we perceive HIM. If I were to paraphrase a rule as an example it would say “Don’t use any power that could come from Satan to provide for other people in ways that are categorized as sorcery. If you do, you will be put to death.”

 

Having sex with animals, sacrificing to fictitious or human gods was prohibited. And mistreating strangers lacked the compassion that GOD showed on the children of Israel. GOD knew how low humans could sink in terms of depravity. HE wanted HIS people to be successful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about various ways humans could mistreat themselves and other people?
• Are there any ways you are mistreating people or yourself?
• What does treating people like GOD wants you to treat them look like?

Because of You

 

Because of You

Genesis 21: ⁸ So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned.

 

⁹ And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. ¹⁰ Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.” ¹¹ And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

 

¹² But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. ¹³ Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.”

 

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After the miracle of birth, Sarah was elated, but reminded that her plan of Abraham having a child through Hagar was a mistake. She wanted Hagar and her son thrown out to keep them from getting an inheritance. This was very disturbing to Abraham. GOD had to intervene.

 

My Observations:

• GOD had a plan for Isaac and a plan for Ismael.
• GOD had to talk to Abraham to let him know that Ishmael was still part of HIS plan.
• GOD let Abraham know that “because of your seed” Ishmael would become a great nation.

 

Through the bickering, and dysfunction, GOD had a plan for this family. Because of Abraham’s walk with the LORD, many nations would be born. GOD kept HIS promise with Abraham simply because of HIS relationship with him.

 

It seemed like mistakes were made. Sarah convinced Abraham to have a child with Hagar, then turned around and had them thrown out. You would think GOD would be angry. BUT GOD took the difficult situation as a factor in HIS complex plan that no human can understand. HE then mentioned that through Isaac, JESUS would be born as a human, even though HE existed as GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Sarah’s feelings towards Ishmael?
• Have you ever thought you made a mistake with GOD?
• Do you know that the mistake you thought you made is being used for good through GOD?

People Treatment

People Treatment

James 2: ⁸ You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ⁹ But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. 

 

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Approaching a person with tattered clothing was easy. I felt comfortable “telling” him or her about GOD. But approaching a person in an elevator who wore expensive clothes made me hesitate.

 

• I said to myself, “He or she won’t want to hear this message.”
• I convinced myself that one group was easier to speak to than others.
• I inadvertently treated people different based on socio-economic status.

 

James continues to warn everyone about mistreating people based on appearance. He drives the point deeper by stating tat everyone should “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” He also provides what would happen if mistreatment occurs based on appearance.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to value everyone as much as HE values them.
• GOD wants me to see how much HE loves people, so I have to look at people differently.
• GOD gives me an easy way to treat people well, namely love people as I love myself.

 

Treating people on different levels is easy to do, especially if he or she looks different than me. I mean, I cannot possibly know what is inside of someone’s heart by looking at him or her. Lavishly dressed people may be full of as much hatred as a tattered dirty dressed person. They also could be full of love. Who can tell? GOD can!

 

HE wants me to see him or her as a person who need the love of GOD as much as I do. HE wants me to think “What would I do and feel if I were in this person’s situation? Would I be afraid to ask for help? Would I be too proud? HE then wants me to take action and do “the right thing.” I am glad GOD does not judge me based on my masks, because HE knows my heart.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer emphasize treating people the same?
• Have you ever looked at someone and thought differently about him or her solely based on appearance?
• Will you practice seeing beyond outer appearance so you can embrace the love of GOD for him or her today?

Something Much Better

Something Much Better

Hebrews 10: ³² Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. ³³ You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. ³⁴ You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever. ³⁵ Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.

 

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Many wars broke out at the company. Some were ego related, some power related, some were racially motivated and some were just plain greed related. Whatever the case, I was ready to fight! When I “lost” the battle, I questioned GOD.

 

• I wondered if GOD loved me.
• I questioned HIS motivation for taking me out of the struggle.
• I thought I was supposed to stay where I was, doing the same battles over and over again.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, addressed suffering. He spoke about it in two ways. First he spoke about past suffering. He suggested that GOD brought them through this difficult time and they were not defeated. He then spoke about other people’s struggles and how those who were not struggling at the time, empathized with those who were.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees me when I am going through a struggle.
• GOD hears me when I cry out to HIM.
• GOD may move me out of a struggle that I wanted to hold onto.

 

Pain and struggles are something I can get used to even though I am not supposed to. I mean, when I am in a bad situation where there is abuse, slander and mistreatment, I think I should stay there and simply take it. I also think it is okay to receive no help when I ask for it and be insulted for trying to serve. I then wonder if GOD is there... HE is.

 

GOD shows up in marvelous ways during the insults, slander, abuse and manipulation. HE fills me up when nothing else in the world can do the same. HIS SPIRIT guides me and provides me with hope that can never be tarnished. All things I hold onto pale in comparison to what GOD has for me. I am glad HE has something much better than I can imagine!

 

Challenge

• What encouragement does the writer present?
• Have you ever suffered mistreatment and insults?
• Will you look beyond the current struggle and remember how GOD brought you through many of life’s battles and also know HE has great rewards for you because of your endurance today?

Mistreated Strength

Luke 6: ²⁷ “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹ Do to others as you would have them do to you.

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Feeling helpless, I went to the nearest person and began grousing about the mistreatment I just experienced. My emotions went from being mild irritated to rage as I recalled the story. “How dare they!” were my words as I replayed the scenario over and over.

• There have been times when people have gotten on my nerves.
• There have been times when I have been enraged by people who have mistreated me.
• There have been times when I have felt helpless because of someone else’s “meanness.”

JESUS said some strange words to those who learned “revenge” as a biblical practice from their childhood. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” seemed quite fair to everyone in the Law of Moses. BUT JESUS said to act differently.

• JESUS wants me to seek restoration versus revenge.
• JESUS wants me to seek being a witness as opposed to being right.
• JESUS wants me to seek peace instead of pain.

There is nothing fair about giving a thief extra stuff for them to steal. When someone mistreats me, I get furious at being powerless. BUT GOD has a remedy for that feeling. HE wants me to have HIS strength in the middle of being mistreated. By giving myself permission to love my enemies, they have no power over me.

In fact the more I love those who mistreat me, the more compassion fills my heart versus poison. I no longer replay the moments that bring on disgust, rather I can actually pray for them to have a wonderful relationship with JESUS, who brings peace to those who love HIM. JESUS puts me above the situation by adding HIS love.

• Are you furious at someone?
• Did someone treat you wrong?
• Can you diffuse the situation by loving the person as GOD loves you?