Social Justice Warfare God’s Way Exodus 22
I hope you didn’t find that offensive. When we hear the phrase “social justice warrior,” what comes to mind for you? I don’t think it’s much different to what was, albeit sarcastically, described in the video.
Social justice issues are varied – climate crises, gender and sexuality, race debate, Black Lives Matter, Critical race theory, Fifth wave feminism, patriarchy, white privilege, lately the Palestinian cause, anti-Israel. Wiki Definition:- Social justice warrior (SJW) is a critical term and internet meme mostly used for an individual who promotes socially progressive, left-wing or liberal views, including feminism, civil rights, gay and transgender rights, and multiculturalism.
As Christians, we share something in common with the so-called SJWs. We, too, care deeply about tackling injustice. Jesus said to love more than your neighbours, but love even your enemies. But we must do that with a level of understanding as to what they believe and show a better way through the teachings of Jesus.
If someone is yelling “repent” at you in the street, are they more likely to be (a) a religious preacher or (b) a left-wing activist?
The answer depends on where you are. Last October, a crowd gathered outside Netflix’s offices in Los Angeles to protest the release of Dave Chappelle’s comedy special The Closer, which contained a long riff criticizing transgender activists. Inevitably, there was a counterprotest: a lonely Chappelle fan holding a sign that read ‘we like Dave.’ This went over badly. Someone took the sign from him and ripped it up. Someone else shouted in his face, and their word choice was notable. The man who liked Dave was urged to “repent.”
But under the social justice banner, there is a fundamental base premise; they seem to be united in being against knowing and following the God of moral restraints and absolutes. Why do I say this?
But not to say there is no recognition of the myopia of the social justice warrior even from their own is not true. Quote from Kai Cheng Thom, Canadian writer and former social worker. Thom, a non-binary trans Asian woman. “Shame rules community, and not only the social justice kind: In every tight-knit, ideologically steeped community that I have known — Chinese-Canadian, Christian, queer — shame and judgement pervade. In the movement, privilege is our original sin, and the doctrine is our Hail Mary. The political workshop and the protest are our church, and the organizers and speakers are our priests. Shame and judgement are the twin faces of trauma, and we are trained to see ourselves and others through their eyes.” This observation has some validity. Law without grace is legalism. Jesus came with grace and truth. The common people heard Him gladly.
So, does that describe our passage – is this based on shame and judgement, without grace? Not in the least. Let’s consider social justice God’s way
1. Young women were to be protected and honoured. (Verses 16, 17) Bride price paid regardless. Note seduction, not rape. If she is raped as a betrothed woman, he was to be put to death. (Deuteronomy 22:25) The woman’s innocence is assumed even though there were no witnesses to the rape. Such was the shame of the charge brought by a woman.
2. A sorceress – A witch, diviner of Spirits – Death a capital offense. Why? Anti the God of deliverance – Red Sea – It says my heart is in Egypt – still rebelling, even though I have been delivered. It is like someone knowing a lot of truth about the Christian faith, raised in it, accepted the blessings of a loving family and church and then speaking out against it. Sorcery also involved the use of drugs – all of which were perfected in Egypt. Not just women either – men “"'A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.'" (Leviticus 20:27)
3. Bestiality (verse 19) “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.” They were about to enter Canaan. Bestiality was part of worship; Baal is half man, half bull, there are depictions of bestiality in the ancient worship of Baal and Molech.
4. Only sacrifice to the Lord – no other gods before the Lord - YHWH. When Error leads to rebellion, society fails. Social justice begins with truth, hence the first commandment “you shall love the Lord your God and you shall have no others gods before me.” How does this then outwork – treatment of our fellow man
5. You shall not wrong a traveller (sojourner) or a guest (verse 21) Why? you were sojourners in Egypt. Remember who you were before Christ; don’t be a Pharisee or a hypocrite. You were in the world at one point. Grace saved you. Regard others with respect.
6. The vulnerable are cared for (verse 22, 23) “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,” Jesus was one who cared for women and children in His earthly ministry; children freely came to Him, women were a vital part of His ministry. Judgement comes. If not carried out, “my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.” (verse24)
7. Compassion on the poor (verses 25 – 27) “"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbour's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”…(verse 29) "You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me.” The prohibition against interest was written with the poor in mind. Commercial loans were not explicitly banned because they were not considered.
8. Respect authority (verse 28) “"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” “This is the famous verse quoted by Paul at his trial before the high priest (Acts 23:5).” (Cole)
9. Animal husbandry and use (verse 30) “You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me”
10. Worship and Hygiene (verse31) “"You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.” Jesus made all foods clean but said it is what comes out of the heart that makes us unclean. This is only possible by accepting Christ as Saviour.” “In the conclusion of this chapter we see the grand reason of all the ordinances and laws which it contains. No command was issued merely from the sovereignty of God. He gave them to the people as restraints on disorderly passions, and incentives to holiness; and hence he says, Ye shall be holy men unto me.” (Clarke)
True social justice involves worship. Social justice without Christ is also spiritual: A society that does not follow the Lord’s gracious system of social justice, also comes under God’s judgement.