Advocacy

Being an advocate

Read Exodus 2-5

These stories about Moses show that there are various stages and approaches to learn from, when acting as an advocate. Firstly, to be an advocate we need to be aware of the situations of others and to feel compassion for them (Exodus 2:11).

• How can we make time to be good listeners and observers?
• Who might God be prompting us to help?

Once we are aware of the needs, it may be tempting to rush straight in and try to help people (Exodus 2:11-15). But it is not until years later that Moses is called by God to go to Pharaoh and bring God’s people, the Israelites, out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-14). Moses has many questions, but in the end he returns to Egypt.

• Do we decide our actions through prayer or do we simply do what we think is best?
• Are we prepared to wait for God’s timing?
• Do we believe that if God has called us, he will equip us, despite our inadequacies?
• Do we take the time to be sure we know the real situation on the ground?

Moses could have remained in his comfortable position, isolated from the difficulties of the people as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:10). He gave up his own security and privileged position to defend and help others in need.

• Have we counted the cost of coming to the aid of others?
• Are we willing to make any sacrifices involved?

God also prepares others to be part of the process. Moses is given the help of Aaron and the support of the Israelite leaders (Exodus 4:27-31).

• Have we identified others to work alongside?
• Are we using all the available resources?
• Have we divided the tasks clearly so that each person can play their part?

If what we are doing is God’s plan, it will succeed, however daunting the task seems and despite our own weaknesses. In fact, God seems to prefer working in impossible situations, so that the glory goes to him! (Exodus 14:29-31). The Lord will fulfil his purposes. Do we believe this?

Jesus’ response to sin

Read John 8:1-11

The teachers of the law brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught committing adultery. The accusers wanted to humiliate the woman and to trap Jesus. The man, who had also committed adultery, had escaped. They brought the woman out in public, ready to be stoned.

• How did Jesus respond to their accusations?
• How did Jesus remain in control of the situation and his own feelings?
• How did he judge the woman’s sin?
• What can we learn from Jesus’ example in judging others?

Jesus did not defend the woman’s actions, but he was willing to stand up to the powerful. His actions were motivated by love and the desire for reconciliation. He taught forgiveness, rather than condemnation.

The Jubilee principle

Read Leviticus 25:8-31

Leviticus is the third book of the Old Testament. It provides guidelines for our relationship with God and our neighbours. Chapter 25 talks of two major festivals, firstly the Sabbath year when land was left fallow to rest every seventh year and, secondly, the Jubilee year which occurred every fifty years.

The Jubilee was God’s answer to long-term poverty. People become poor for all kinds of reasons; they struggle to improve their situation. However, the Jubilee allowed for a new beginning in every generation. For people caught in the poverty trap, it gave hope and new opportunities as land was restored to its original owners, debts cancelled and slaves set free. Land, slaves and loans were all to be valued based on their nearness to the Jubilee year. No-one is sure if the radical principle of the Jubilee year was ever carried out, but when Jesus read from the book of the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4:18-19, he proclaimed that the year of the Lord’s favour – the year of Jubilee – had come. In Jesus we can experience a ‘Jubilee’.

• What was to happen when the trumpet sounded to mark the start of Jubilee?
• Who does the land belong to? (verse 23) How did this affect how the Israelites used the land?
• What does the Jubilee principle tell us about God’s concern for the poor and the oppressed?
• What are the differences between God’s answer to poverty and injustice and the world’s answer?
• Who benefited from the Jubilee?
• How might we and our neighbours benefit from a Jubilee? What would be the main difficulties in actually carrying out the Jubilee principle?
• In what ways can we practise and experience a Jubilee now in Jesus?

Pray for those living in poverty and oppressed by injustice, that they may be able to experience God’s Jubilee in Jesus.

Jesus and the money changers

Read Luke 19:45-48

As Jesus entered Jerusalem, many of his disciples welcomed him and sang praises to him. However, shortly after his arrival, Jesus went to the temple area and started to turn over the tables of money changers and those selling doves. He rebuked the crowd, including the chief priests and teachers of the law, for their lack of faith and for allowing the temple to be corrupted.

• What motivated Jesus’ anger?
• Did he clearly explain the reasons for his anger?
• What can we learn from his actions?
• Should we be willing to challenge cultural customs if they are against God’s will?
• How could we consider doing this?

Jesus was attacking the exploitation of the poor. Although he had no formal authority in the temple, people listened to him because of what he did. He made sure that he explained his actions to those around and he was motivated by a deep concern for the poor.

This page was last updated on 22 August 2005