God gave the children of Israel some instructions concerning poor people and strangers in their midst. God said that when the children of Israel lend someone something, they must not go into the person’s house to take his or her garment as a replacement (or take something in exchange for what was borrowed).

They must allow the person to bring it out him/herself. If the borrower is a poor person, they must return his garment to him/her in the light for the borrower to have something to cover him/herself and keep warm. When they do that, it is acceptable to God.  Furthermore, when a poor person works for the Israelites, they must pay him daily. If they refuse to pay and the poor person cries out against them to the Lord, they will be guilty of sin. God added that they must treat strangers with care because they were once strangers and slaves in Egypt.

Whenever they harvest their crops, they must leave some for the poor and strangers among them to gather for food. When they forget some crops by mistake, they must not take them but leave them for the poor, strangers, orphans, and widows. Anyone who disobeys these instructions of God would be punished. This is kind of God’s just we have to emulate. We shall discuss more stories and lessons of God’s just in these articles. Read further related posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.

Just for two brothers (Genesis4: 1-16)

Cain and Abel were born by Adam and Eve. Cain was older than Abel. Cain was a farmer while Abel was a shepherd. Both Cain and Abel brought their offerings to the Lord. The Lord looked with favour on Abel’s offering, but he did not look with favour on Cain’s offering. Cain then became angry that God rejected his offering.

God noticed that Cain was angry and cautioned him so that he would not sin against Him. However, Cain did not listen. He became angry with his brother, Abel. He became jealous of Abel and developed hatred towards him. One day, Cain deceived Abel to go with him to the farm. On getting there, he attacked Abel and killed him. God was not happy with what Cain did; hence, He punished him severely.

Cain realized that the punishment was too much for him and was afraid that if anyone saw him, they would kill him. Therefore, God put a mark on him so that anyone who sees him would not kill him. As children, give your best offering to God joyfully. You should also know that God punishes all sinners. Do not be jealous of anyone in the school, in the home, in the church and within your community.

Lessons

• Give your best offering to God with a good heart.
• Pray to God to help you overcome the spirit of hatred, anger, jealousy and fighting.
• Know that God punishes all sinners.

Our just God remembers everybody (Genesis 21: 8-21)

Abraham gives birth to Isaac through Sarah his wife. But, he already had a son through Hagar whose name is Ishmael. Sarah’s maid, before the birth of Isaac. When Isaac grew and was weaned (stopped breastfeeding), Abraham made a great celebration for him. Sarah saw that Ishmael, the son of Haggar was making jest of Isaac. Sarah asked Abraham to send them away from their home, but Abraham was disturbed and did not want to do so. God told Abraham to do so as Sarah had requested.

Early in the morning, Abraham gave them bread and water to take along for their journey. Hagar went into the wilderness of Beersheba. After a while, the bread and water finished. So, Ishmael was about to die of hunger and thirst and Hagar did not know what to do, so she laid the boy under a small plant and moved away from him. She did not want to watch the boy die in her presence. God heard the cry of the boy and opened the eyes of Hagar to see where she could get water for him.

God told her that He would make the boy a great nation. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness of Paran and God was with him. He became an archer (someone who shoots a bow and arrow). God is a promise-keeper and He does not forget anyone. Whatever He says, He does not forget you too. He sees you and He is ready to help you when you have any problem.

Lessons

• Always remember that God is a promise-keeper.
• Pray to God to help you overcome the spirit of hatred, rejection and mockery.
• Know that God never forgets anyone.

A Just God says “Remember Other”. (Exodus 23: 1-13)

God gave the children of Israel laws, through Moses. The law was to serve as a guide for them. God did not want them to join other nations to do evil. So, He gave them laws that would guide their ways of living in the Promised Land. In the Law, He said the children of Israel must not spread false rumours and news. They must not be partial. They must be kind and treat people well no matter who they are. They must not be wicked towards others but they should help others. God also warned them against bribery and corruption.

They must treat strangers kindly because they were once strangers in Egypt before God set them free. They were to plant and harvest their crops for six years but must not plant in the seventh year. In that seventh year, the land will rest and regain more strength for more fertility. Also, during the seventh year, whatever grows on the land must be left for the poor to harvest. At the same time, they must work for six days and rest on the Sabbath (the seventh day of the week, which is Sunday in our own time), this includes man, slaves, strangers, and their animals.

Lessons

• Always remember that God is a good God who wants you to be good to everyone.
• Pray to God to help to be good to others, even to those who have not been good to you.
• Know that God cares for the poor and wants you to care for them too.

God’s just judges and priests (Deuteronomy 16: 18-20)

God instructed the people of Israel to appoint judges and other officials of their tribes in every town He had given to them. They are to judge the people without partiality. They must not accept bribes because it blind the eyes of the wise and twist judgment. Their obedience will make them live long in the land God promised them. God also instructed them on how to handle different cases.

Cases such as killings and other cases that are not easy to judge would be taken to the place where God chose. The priest in the sanctuary at that time will give judgment over such cases. The people must obey whatever the priests asked them to do. Anyone who disobeys the instructions given by the judge or the priest on duty must be to death.

This is done to take evil people out of Israel. It will also help people who hear and see God’s judgement not to disobey or disrespect the priest again. God is not partial; He is just and He judges everyone accordingly. As His children, you should be fair and just towards others so that God can be happy with you.

Lessons

• Always remember that God is just and wants us to be fair and just towards one another.
• Pray to God to help you obey His instructions.
• Do not join others to do evil.