I Will Hear Them (Exodus 22:22-24)

 


Thursday, May 8, 2025


Psalms 20; 21

Exodus 22:20-23:3

John 10:1-18


Observance: Julian of Norwich, holy woman & mystic (d. 1417)


I Will Hear Them (Exodus 22:22-24)


You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.


Every now and then one hears of a father who has been taken in by the police reluctantly. Reluctantly, because their child has been hurt by an adult somehow, and the father has taken matters into his own hands. The police only charge him as a technicality, and the courts often do their best to shield the father from the worst of what the law could do. A protective father willing to risk prison for the sake of their child seems to be a noble thing, and I find nothing wrong with this attitude.


Consider what God is saying to Moses. God has appeared on the mountain in the glory of smoke, fire, thunder and earthquakes. Moses is summoned up to speak face to face, and God gives Moses a ready-made national constitution. These laws have been used by Christian legislators to create what we call in the modern day “common law” – we look for the principle behind the law, so that we can apply those principles to all the different circumstances that pop up in life.


All through these laws God is revealing himself as a fair judge with a compassionate heart. He is concerned that all things are done fairly, and yet if there are people who are doing it tough (such as orphans, widows, or the poor) then they are to be treated more generously. We are his children, and he is our protective father – just think about how passionate he gets when talking about people who mistreat widows or orphans!


There is wonderful harmony with Jesus’ words in our second lesson today. He is the good shepherd; he lays his life down for the sheep. He is protective over us to the extreme, protective of us all the way to the cross. What wonderful comfort to know our God thinks so highly of us, and has the power to back up his words with actions!


What dangers in this life are you worried about? How might you call out to our compassionate and protective Father to protect you?


God our Father, who surely hears all those who cry out to you: settle our hearts in the knowledge of the protection of our Good Shepherd, your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.

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