This chapter conveys warnings from God to several members of the royal bloodline including the current king, his son, and their cousins.
” ‘Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages, who says, “I will build myself a great house with spacious upper rooms,” who cuts out windows for it, paneling it with cedar and painting it with vermilion. Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar?… But you have eyes and heart only for your dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence.’ ” (v13-15, 17 abr)
God has a special place in His heart for those who are treated unjustly – whether they’re financially oppressed, a slave, or marginalized in some other way, God is their defender. God also allows harsher consequences to befall those who intentionally hurt others / innocents.
Jesus suggests that when we give food / clothing / shelter to those in need, visit those who are sick / jailed, or care for the marginalized, we are serving and loving Him directly (see Mt 25:31-46). Clearly God / Jesus have a heart for those who have been wronged, and anger against those who commit wrongs unto others.
If we have wronged someone, no matter how trivial it may seem to us, we need to make that right with them and God. With sincere and humble hearts we should apologize properly, and seek to reconcile any damaged relationships, even if it’s “not our fault”. Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers”, which includes those who pursue reconciliation. I strongly urge us (especially myself who struggles with this) to be peacemakers and reconcilers, for this is near and dear to our Lord’s heart.
Father God, our Lord of Peace and Reconciliation, we praise Your awesome works and glorious ways. Thank you Spirit for guiding us on the paths of righteousness, helping us to avoid wronging our neighbors, and to reconcile with them when we cause harm. May we be consistently humble and loving toward all those made in Your image O Lord, as if we are loving and serving You directly. In the name of Jesus the Chief Reconciler we honor, praise and glorify You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training