SODOM AND THE POOR
When most Evangelicals think of Sodom and her sin, they think of sexual immorality. The Scriptures make it clear that the sexual sin of the city and its neighboring Gomorrah was very great (see Genesis 19). But according to God's prophet Ezekiel there was more that displeased a holy God than that sin only.
Ezekiel 16:49, 50 tell us, "Behold this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw {it,"} (NASB).
One heart attack, one accident, one brain chemical gone awry, one stroke could reduce us to ignominy and dependency on others.
Remember that born again believers are meant to exist in community with a responsibility to help other needy believers including the poor and homeless of our society. In many ways, this stewardship has been relegated to the american government. The New Testament Church spoke often of helping the poor (Galatians 2:9-19; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15).
Our text in Ezekiel also states that Sodom had "careless ease" Ezekiel 16:49c).
The Hebrew word for careless, "shaquat" means to be at quiet, tranquil at peace. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament states, “It overlaps with security (betah) which is a "feeling of confidence”. Sodom had its good times, the best of times. Again like many there was a "come on let's party attitude." There was plenty of apathy toward the poor and needy. Pleasure and the absence of pain were the ultimate
objective, the outcome, ethical and psychological hedonism at its worst.
Those who were not in the 'mainstream' were taken advantage of or ignored.
The word Ezekiel uses in Ezekiel 16:49 for help means literally, "to seize by the hand and set up again". In their insatiable lust they did not reach out and lift up fallen. The word for poor means "to find oneself in a stunted position". The word "needy" connotes having no clothes, no land and no food.
This word also is used of those who need protection (Proverbs 30:14)
What about it? How much money does the evangelical church spend on the poor? How much is spent on ourselves?
Isaiah the prophet echoes the truth that God judges a community and a nation when it does not pay attention to the homeless. The prophet rebukes Israel for wanting the nearness of God even, to the point of fasting but neglecting God's standard of righteousness.
Isaiah 58 begins with, "Cry loudly, do not hold back, raise your voice like a trumpet and declare to my people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins." (Isaiah 58:1, NASB). A trumpet was used to sound a warning to those who were in danger. The Jewish people were very close to God's cascading judgments rolling over their heads because of their sins.
Part of Isaiah's message includes, "Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke? "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him; and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:6)
One cannot merely explain away society's responsibility to the poor by appealing to the fact that God was speaking about his Israel his Theocratic nation. The Ezekiel 16 text calls Sodom Israel's sister. Sodom did not have a special covenant relationship to God like Israel. However, both were judge because of their failing to help the poor and the needy. Sodom was a well organized society. It was financially well off.
One of the reasons for this was it was located in the valley of Jordan and was rich in well irrigated land which would make for a booming economy. This prosperity created arrogance and a hardening of the heart toward the poor and needy.
According to John Calvin, "Sodom’s sin was not merely her notorious lusts but the secret spring of them, pride flowing from fullness of bread, caused by fertile soil producing idleness" (Calvin's commentary, Volume 12, The Book of Ezekiel).
At this time in the history of the United States and many times before what concerns Americans the most is whether we have a good economy or not.
I am thankful I am an American and I am aware that I have benefited
financially more than many my brothers and sisters in other nations.
However, there are many in this country and others who think that they are
self made men or women and should be congratulated for their
God given intelligence and health.
In the above Ezekiel text, the word arrogance in the Hebrew has its origins in a word that denotes, "excellency, majesty, pride and swelling."
Sodom and her sister's city /states felt that they should be congratulated
for all the prosperity that had come to them.
The fact is that any of us are a mere paycheck away from poverty and homelessness. At age 29, when hit by a severe clinical depression, I could not sleep, I could not eat and I could not work. I was a college graduate but I had to go to a government agency to get food stamps and Medicaid.
All of our savings were spent on medical expenses and daily living.
My wife Robyn and our three children (a the time) had to live in
a basement of a relative’s house. (Please see our book Broken Minds Hope for Healing When You Feel Like You're Losing It.)
Buy "Broken Minds" now).
In the Bible Nebuchadnezzar was one of the most brilliant intellects in the world. His reign was extensive and powerful both in militarily,commerce and in building projects
However when God chose to humble him he used insanity. The book of Daniel clearly presents what happened to him. The Hebrew word for reason means intellectual abilities and understanding. Daniel 4:36 says...At that time my reason returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me.
Nebuchadnezzar was totally psychotic (insane, unreality) for seven years. Some think that the prophet Daniel helped him and protected him while he lived among the beautiful gardens that Nebuchadnezzar once landscaped... Today he no doubt would have been diagnosed having some type of schizophrenia.
His hard learned lesson was this; all of his accomplishments, his majesty, the beauty and prosperity of his kingdom were because God in His grace had exalted him.
He should never have been so proud that he said,”Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' (See Daniel 4:28-33). After he had been in God's school of affliction and suffering, God had mercy on him and exalted
Contrary to the American ideal of ’rugged individualism' God wants us
to live in community, we need one another; we must bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). We are not the Captain of our own soul but Christ is our Champion, Lord, High Priest and Savior God delights in showing His power through man's weakness, (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Please let us give to the true poor.
Our system of welfare has its problems.
There are no incentives for the working poor. Now more than ever the church must spend money on the poor and the nation should repent of its ungodliness
.
Rev. Steve Bloem B.A. M.M. LBSW
Heartfelt Counseling Ministries
Grand Rapids, Michigan
USA
Penny Wise and Pound Foolish - True story of a serving agency and a mentally ill client.
From: Steve Bloem
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 5:39 PM
To: Stacy Klaassen
Cc: Dennis Potter; Operations Manager
Subject: Triage, today's date, Terry James
This amazes me that a co pay of $3.00 not being paid ends up costing the 'tax payers' at least $3,000.00.
Ann V. On call told me that they do not have the authorization to approve co-pays.
Our client when he presented before me was 'floridly' psychotic, in one or two days and could have easily been killed today.
I really wish that something could be done about the 'Pound Foolish', 'Penny Wise', aspect of our present Mental Health System.
Can't we have a weekend co pay fund?
This clinician talked to a TI receptionist. She said that Terry was acting very agitated and incoherent. This clinician talked with him face to face. He showed signs of conceptual disorganization. He was screaming incoherently. He also looked very disheveled. His eyes seemed to be dilated. I decided to call a Triage Nurse to examine him. When I said, 'nurse', he jumped up and yelled, 'you arer not putting me in the hospital". He ran out of the building.
This clinician talked to Stacy Klassen of Alpha II, who is his clinician. She gave some background on the consumer. He has muscular dystrophy but also may have Tardive Dyskensia (AIMS testing suggested). He has reported in the past that if he misses his medications (even one dose), he decompesates quickly.
On Call Notes show that he had called Cornerstone about a medication issue. He presented there at 2:30 am saying he could not find his medications. He was oriented times three and at his baseline. He was 'cabbed' by TI to S. Mary's ER, where a medical doctor was willing to write a script. However the pharmacy said that he had a co pay of $3.00 and the Social Worker calledcalled Ann V. and confirmed this. He was sent away by St. Mary's social worker without any money for co-pay. Please note that a failure to pay a $3.00 co - pay, was part of the non-profit agency's policy, cost the tax payers of the state of Michigan thousands of dollars. The non-profit, a large outpatient mental health agency which was required to report on a web site that it grossed that year 11.5 million dollars.
After he ran out of medications (because no one paid the three dollar co-pay,) TImedica his clinician reported that he was in the jail for 'running in front of cars'. Because of this she had him put in a psychiatric hospital.
This writer is of the opinion that a higher level of care would be the best for Terry at this time. He cannot seem to manage his medications on his own.
Consumer demonstrated speech that was incoherent and fragmented. He has severe conceptual disorganization. This clinician wondered about possible drug abuse and Stacy said that she would ask for it. He also needs a full medical work up, which hopefully he will get at Forest View.
The case management agency that I quoted from did nothing about this
problem. You should follow the money trail.