Prophet Driven Economy

Prophets Talk about Poverty

In the Hebrew Scriptures the prophets were empowered by God to speak the “word of the Lord” to the people of Israel. Many of their words were directed at those in places of power, challenging them to change their behavior and govern according to the will of God. Looking through scripture we will see that very few of the kings won God’s approval. Then, as now, those in power used their power to benefit themselves and those close to them, rather than for the common welfare. There are many, many scriptural passages that challenge society and rulers to turn from evil, to practice justice, to love kindness and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).

In Ezekiel 34 the prophet directly challenges the rulers of Israel who have failed to care for the needs of their people. The prophet writes: “Thus says the Lord God: Ah, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings; but you do not feed the sheep. You have not strengthened the weak, you have not healed the sick, you have not bound up the injured, you have not brought back the strayed, you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and scattered, they became food for all the wild animals … scattered over all the face of the earth, with no one to search or seek for them.”

It is clear here that the “shepherds” must be understood as the “rulers” of Israel. They have not done their job. Placed in positions of leadership, they have failed to care for the basic needs of their people: food, security, health care, strong support. Instead, the rulers have “used” the people for their own ends.

Because the kings have failed the people the prophet declares God’s intent to set the kings aside, to provide the care the kings refused to provide. God says, “I myself will search for my sheep, and seek them out. ... I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice” (Ezekiel 34: 11, 16).

If the rulers refuse to do the work entrusted to them, they will be removed. God will not stand by and allow the people to suffer. These are strong words.

This passage could just as easily be spoken to the rulers of our day. In today’s economy, the poor are used. They have become pawns, cogs in the economic wheels that keep the economy humming. The working poor provide essential services every day. Where would we be if tomorrow all the low-wage workers decided to stay home? Who would do all the many important tasks they do?

But when the economy grinds to a halt, the poor are the first to suffer. Hours are cut, salaries are frozen, and layoffs soon follow. The poor are typically the last to see the benefits of government financial bailouts. And when the economy recovers, the poor, again, are the last to benefit.

Why? Because the “rulers” are not doing their jobs. They are not practicing justice, they are not doing kindness, and they are not listening to God by caring for the needs of the least of these. The prophet, speaking the word of the Lord, chastises the “shepherds” and calls them to repent and change their ways.

As a faith community, we must play this prophetic role in our society. We must become advocates, standing with and speaking "alongside" the poor, demanding, with them, justice in the marketplace.

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