In It To End It

”Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – MLK

So what is with all the people with a red X on their hand? What is that all about?

It is about human trafficking, which is another term for human slavery.

Let's get some perspective. According to the 1860 US Census, there were roughly 30 million free Americans, and roughly 4 million slaves. Five years later in 1865, the end of the Civil War also brought the end of slavery - finally abolished once and for all.

Or so you thought.

The truth is that there are 27-29 million slaves in the world today.

Let that sink in.

The number of slaves in the world today now equals the population of free Americans on the eve of the Civil War. Unacceptable. Tweet This

The problem has changed, but it certainly hasn’t gone away. While we were not paying attention it has actually multiplied.

There are more slaves in the world today than in any period throughout the history of mankind.

The slave trade of coerced labor and rape-for-profit reportedly nets 32 billion dollars each year. And business is booming.

The good news is that there are organizations such as International Justice Mission, the End It Movement, and others that are working not only to raise awareness, but actively fighting to end it. Slaves are being brought to freedom every day. But the fight is far from over.

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” – MLK

I leave you with words that my daughter Rachael penned early this morning. She is just one of many pushing back against this injustice, not just in word but in deed. She has taken this battle to the streets not only here in the US, but also in the red-light districts in the slums of Kolkata, India; facing down the evil of slavery, standing strong against it where it is openly practiced, and bringing comfort and renewal to those who have escaped it's horrors:

"I am so excited for this day and so saddened at the same time. What’s going on, and what we’re fighting against today is sad, but exciting in that today, I join millions around the world in fighting this injustice of human trafficking. Join me today by drawing a red X on your hand to help end it. Men, women, and children, should NOT be sold! I don’t care what your religion is, how old you are, what your race is, what music you listen to, or what school you go to, you have a voice, and you have the power to END IT! I urge you to think of your sons and daughters, your family, your friends, and cherish them. Slavery is not over and gone. It is HERE. It is NOW. It is PRESENT and RELEVANT, and WE CAN END IT! Work through prayer, awareness through social media, or, who knows, maybe you’ll work alongside with these heroes and raid brothels one day.”

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Unqualified: The Story of Amos

When we are seeking God in the Scriptures, we often instinctively turn to the Gospels or to the Psalms. But much wisdom can be found in a section few of us rarely turn to called the “minor prophets”.

Really? who would want to be called a “minor prophet”?

It sounds rather derogatory.

I mean, would you rather play in the Major Leagues or the Minors?

The truth is that these prophets are called “minor” merely because they wrote smaller amounts of material than say, Isaiah or Jeremiah, and it has nothing to do with being less important than the others.

Among these “minors” is the book of Amos. But in spite of being “minor”, he has a very significant message. In fact, the book of Amos was even a favorite of Martin Luther King, “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream” (5:24).

Amos was unique among the prophets, and he is a guy I think many of us can relate to. To start with, he was admittedly not your standard prophet material.

“I was not a prophet, nor am I the son of a prophet; for I am a herdsman and a grower of sycamore figs. Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’” (Amos 7:14-15)

Like Shakespeare wrote, “Some are born great….and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em”.

But clearly his heart and mind were ready. He was out in the field working his job, God called him elsewhere, and he went about fulfilling the call.

He had no seminary training, no ministry experience, no public speaking seminars, no qualifications, no expert references, no previous prophet work, no famous prophets in his family.

What he did have was the call of God. And it turns out that’s all he needed.

The name Amos means “burden-bearer”, and Amos indeed carried a heavy burden. He was called from his native sheep-herding lifestyle into the nation of Israel, where he pronounced very unpopular prophecies of judgment to the King and leaders.

He knew he was called of God, but they saw him as...well...unqualified.

He pointed out their oppression of the poor (5:11-13), dishonesty in business (8:4-6), selfish indulgence (6:4-7), and their idolatrous worship (5:21-27).

Not sunshine and roses kind of stuff.

Keep in mind that things in Israel were good! Very good! Israel at the time was a very prosperous nation, and archaeological evidence proves that the reign of Jeroboam was the most prosperous the nation had known. and few were interested in hearing such a “doom and gloom” message in good times. Especially from an out-of-town guy who just came off the farm.

Amos was an average guy chosen by God to leave what he knew, to walk out in the public and speak a very unpopular message.

Although Amos ends his prophecy with a hopeful vision of the future, he is the first prophet to predict the captivity of Israel and God’s punishment upon His chosen people (4:4, 5:21-24). We know historically that this prophecy came to pass years later.

He even went so far as to accurately predict the end of the King's royal lineage.

His prophecies contained pretty bad scenarios regarding their behavior and apathy, and they were all based in the truth of God. Yet the priests and the leaders, instead of listening and repenting, chose to complain about him and simply wanted him gone (7:10-11).

Why?

Because they were qualified, and he was not.

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