OUR LORD WHO, IN JUDGEMENT,  IS MINDFUL OF THE POOR AND NEEDY

Isaiah chapter 14 verse 30 captures the words of the prophet Isaiah on behalf of the Lord about the fate of the Philistines after they had brought oppression and hardship on the Lord's people. This verse makes a distinction between poor Philistines and the elite of the Philistine society in prescribing how punishment is meted out.

 The scripture tells us that God's judgement will not fall upon the poorest people but rather will fall heavily on the members of the ruling families of the nations that oppress God's people. The verse reads this way;

The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety.

But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors.

The acts of oppression against God's people will be brought to a halt but the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the oppression will be distinguished from the rest of the Philistine society and will suffer the brunt of the retribution for the nation's deeds.

Let us bless the Lord who shields us from oppressors and let us consider that He is mindful of the poor and weak even in the belligerent societies and He takes action to ensure that they have the provisions they need and can live in safety.

Amen.