Shawn Casselberry's Blog
Protest! / 06.25.09, 01:40 PM
Part of Biblical Justice is defending the weak against the strong. Micah, one of the 8th century prophets, was outspoken against the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy and powerful. He protested the corrupt practices of wealthy landowners who seized land and houses through fradulent and violent practices (2:2, 9), government officials who perverted justice by taking bribes (3:9-11), and priests and prophets who served their own self-interest rather than serving the interests of the people in their charge (3:11).
Micah used graphic language to describe the way the powerful exploited the weak. “Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil. You skin my people alive and tear the flesh off their bones. You eat my people’s flesh, cut away their skin, and break their bones. You chop them up like meat for the cooking pot. Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble! (3:1-4)”
Micah portrays the leaders as predators who devour the poor for their own gain. In contrast, the Biblical call laid out by the prophet Isaiah is to: Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of the widow (1:17).
On Tuesday, I went down to Springfield, Illinois with three Mission Year team members and a convoy of buses filled with Chicago social service workers. We went to the Capital of Illinois to voice our concerns about the proposed budget cuts that would gut vital programs and services for the poor all across the State. Many of the service sites we partner with would lose funding for their programs and be forced to layoff staff. The budgets of social service programs are being cut to the bone and the poor among us are bearing the brunt.The budget cuts would most negatively affect children, seniors, the disabled, the homeless, and the poor. In other words, the most defenseless and vulnerable in our society.
Some of the results of the budget cuts would be:
80,000 working parents would lose child care assistance
Over 40,000 seniors and people with disabilities would lose their home care
15,000 foster children would have their support cut in half
175,000 people who depend on community mental health services would lose their care
56,000 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence would lose support services
Substance abuse, teen pregnancy and violence and delinquency prevention programs would be cut affecting 463,000 children and teens.
190,000 students would lose college scholarships.
On a very hot June day, we marched around Springfield, carried signs, and protested the budget cuts to these vital services. We crowded the steps of the Capital and cried out for a fair budget. It was a prophetic picture. People from all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and economic backgrounds ralling together to defend the most vulnerable in our communities and to protest the gross injustice of the politically powerful.
I guess not much has changed since Micah’s day. Those in power and those with wealth continue to take advantage of the vulnerable. It remains to be seen if our protest will accomplish the intended results. We don’t know if Micah’s protest was successful either. We just know that it was necessary. After all, if we don’t defend the weak against the strong…who will?
“But as for me, I am filled with power and the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and might, fearlessly pointing out Israel’s sin and rebellion.” Micah 3:8
“O people, the Lord has already told you what is good and what the Lord requires but to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
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