With righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.
Isaiah 11:3-5
If asked to name a politician past or present who is an ideal political leader, you are likely to be met with silence. Many politicians seem to have feet of clay; even those with whom we are largely in agreement will usually have aspects of their personality or beliefs we would wish to be different. Politics deals with the ‘art of the possible’, so compromises are made which water down someone’s appeal.
Isaiah presents an ideal future king, one who is wise, fears the Lord, who judges righteously ‘for the meek of the earth.’ God’s law was always meant to alleviate poverty, but individual rulers would be swayed by bribes and a bias to those who could repay favours. Poor communities got a rough deal. Prophets always tried to bring the people back to the law’s provisions, but they were too often a lone voice.
Both globally and in our country, the gap between rich and poor widens each year. Voters, businesses and consumers from affluent countries demand more for less, and get it – often at a cost to the poorest.
There is a desperate need for those in power to ‘decide with equity for the meek of the earth’: for politicians and people to relinquish demands for more and cheaper goods. There is a desperate need not to mortgage our lifestyle against future generations, as our patterns of consumption endanger the planet.
We need to look hard and rationally at what creates poverty. And then we need to follow in the wake of our King, building his kingdom on his earth with equity.
Light of the world,
until the dawn comes when suffering is at an end,
stand alongside all those whose witness shines in darkness,
giving them courage, safety and hope.
Amen.
