Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.— Isaiah 1:17.
“As a man, you’ve got to learn to take care of Yourself!” We do have to be responsible for our actions and taking care of ourselves. But, part of being blessed and taking care of ourselves — at least as God sees it — is caring for others, sticking up for the disadvantaged, and intervening when someone else is being exploited. After all, we are our “brothers’ and sisters’ keepers!” What convicts me most about this passage, however, are the three verbs for me to obey: encourage, defend, and plead. I can’t sit on the sideline and hope someone else takes care of the needs!