Burden of Champions

How is it that the faithful city hath become an harlot?

   Once upon a time, it was full of judgment;

                                 righteousness lodged in it;

   But now it hath become the home of murderers. 

Thy silver is become dross,

Thy wine mixed with water: 

Thy rulers are rebellious,

                  and companions of thieves:

Every one loveth gifts,

                  and followeth after rewards:

They judge not the fatherless,

                  neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.  Isaiah 1:21-23 (KJV…enhanced)

The prophet’s question in the first line is answered in the lines that follow.  How in the world could such a thing happen? How could the place where the True and Living God had chosen to place His powerful name become a spiritual brothel?  How could the people of God come to understand their religious duty as being nice and tolerant and learning to COEXIST?  Silver and tin flow together easily at a certain temperature and eventually, if one is unscrupulous, the tin can become a substitute that only an expert can distinguish. Everyone thinks that the new doctrine (or an old sixteenth century remake) sounds like what was being preached all along.  The wine is mixed with water after the drunkenness sets in and the drinkers cannot tell the difference.  (Peter is being literal to millions of drunken and drugged believers when he warns that they should “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV)

The operation of Hebrew poetic parallelism is obvious in most of this passage.  Rebellious rulers love thieves in the same way as those to whom they provide leadership become fixated on rewards and money…”what difference does it make if other people think it is fraud – I got mine!”  Prosperity doctrine.  As noted, slow substitutes must be tolerated and renamed to maintain the “new” way of thinking.  The result is that a place that was once known for its champions has become the butt of jokes to the army of occupation.  “Whatever happened to that boy David y’all had as king: the giant-killer?  Where is this Messiah that’s supposed to be his blood?  We have Caesar – we ain’t afraid of no ghosts!”  The end result of Hebrew nationalism mixed with Greek rationalism = rebellious rulers; “we have no king but Caesar.”

The not so obvious operation of Hebrew poetic parallelism has already been mentioned.  The best rendering of the KJV term, “judgment” in verse 21 is “champions,” e.g., not only David but David and his mighty men; 40 in all. 2 Samuel 23.  The amazing thing about Hebrew translation is that, quite often, it is necessary to discover the meaning of a word from within the context and not plow through by trying to give a one word equivalent.  It is easy to say that mishpat = judgment and move on.  It is ridiculous to ignore the context that shouts the interpretative environment that has been carefully crafted by the Holy Spirit to provide understanding.  Immediately before the verses above is the simple instruction to wayward people:

(You shall) Learn to do well (if you);

seek judgment,

relieve the oppressed,

judge the fatherless,

plead for the widow.  Isaiah 1:17 

No one with any sense would think that the prophet is advocating a comprehensive legal approach to the issue of orphan concerns along with a well crafted court system to manage their affairs.  In a modern society such as ours, these things may be good.  In any society, the prophet is saying that people with a heart filled with the joy of the Lord will champion the cause of those who cannot help themselves: orphans, widows, the oppressed, etc.

Jesus pointed out to the enemies he had in his own country that they had become murderers and fools by reinventing the rules about taking care of their widowed mothers (Matthew 23:14, Mark 7:9-13!).  Jesus fulfilled the conditions to restore the place where the Father in Heaven would place His great name in order to make champions.  That place is no longer some building made of stone (or any other church house material) but is no less a venue than any human heart (Romans 10:10).  Champions look for opportunities to care for the weak, disregarding their own advantage or profit.  Champions lay down their lives for children, knowing that it is God’s will for their lives.  Champions know that their success lies in the one piece of equipment with which the Holy Spirit wants to equip them daily; the cross of Jesus.  There is no other cross for believers to bear.

Come to Jesus.

Come to the Cross.