When laws to be disobeyed?

By Rev Kenneth Mtata 

12 January 2022

 

Today's readings:

Psalm 106:1-12; Numbers 27:1-11; Luke 11:33-36

Verse of the day:

"Moses brought their case before the Lord. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying..." (Numbers 27:5-7).

One of interesting features in the bible is that the God who is the same yesterday, today and1 forever,  is also a God open to changing those laws that undermine his Justice (mishpat).

The five daughters of Zelophehad where excluded from receiving any inheritance from their father because the law of the land said only sons could get such family inheritance. But their father had died without leaving a son. The girls approached the courts to question the Constitutionality of the existing laws. They argued that the laws were unjust because they were not consistent with the justice of God.

When the matter was brought to Moses he must have been confused because his role was to ensure everyone obeyed the laws and not question them. This was so overwhelming for him that he decided to take matter to the highest court:  "Moses brought their case before the Lord" 

(Numbers 27:5). God made the verdict. He agreed with the girls. He said, "The daughters of Zelophehad are right in what they are saying." He did not only agree with them but asked that the law be changed.

God's justice (mishpat) must be our reference point when we are not sure about the laws in our families, communities, churches and nations. Laws that are not just must be replaced by just laws. 

Disciples of Christ are not supposed to obey unjust laws. During apartheid in South Africa, some Christians were challenged why they were not obeying the Constitution of the land. They responded that the laws contradicted the justice of God, so they would "rather obey God than human beings" (Acts 5:29). 

Prayer

God give us eyes to discern when our family, community, church and national laws are contradicting your justice.  Give us the courage to resist and work towards the change of such laws. In your son and our Lord Jesus Christ we pray.

AMEN

Daily Disciples