GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT BRIBES 神不接受贿赂

“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless . . . [and] the widow.” - Isaiah 1:17

「寻求公平，解救受欺压的，给孤儿（和）寡妇伸冤…。」 - 赛1:17

The sins of Judah were beginning to resemble those of Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s people didn’t understand the holy will of their God. Injustice against the weak and vulnerable was becoming rampant. God’s people thought they could make up for their sinful actions and appease God’s holiness by sacrificing animals and doing other religious rituals. But they continued in their evil ways of injustice and oppression against weak and vulnerable people. The society had become dominated by rich powerbrokers who thought nothing of accumulating wealth and gaining more clout over the poor and powerless. In addition, the judges and religious leaders did not condemn them but instead enjoyed their generous bribes and elaborate parties.

But those who are being trampled under the heel of oppression have God on their side. God doesn’t accept bribes. He doesn’t run a court open to bribery. And God expects nothing less of his people. Addressing the leaders of Judah, the prophet Isaiah said, “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”

That is our calling still today. Our practice of compassion and justice anticipates the day when the Lord himself will come in person to “give decisions for the poor of the earth” (Isaiah 11:4).

犹大的罪开始恶化，变得与所多玛和蛾摩拉不相上下。神的子民不明白神圣洁的旨意，不公平对待软弱与无助之人的事，愈来愈猖獗。神的子民以为他们可以藉献上牲畜和守宗教规条，来补偿自己的罪行和满足神的圣洁，因而他们继续行在这些不公义和欺压的罪恶当中。整个社会被富有的当权者所控制，这等人毫无顾忌地囤积赀财并多方辖制贫穷无权势的人。此外，那些审判官和宗教领袖不但不责备他们，反而享用他们丰厚的贿赂和奢华的筵席。

　　幸而，神站在那些遭践踏欺压的人那一面，神不接受贿赂，祂的审判庭不容许贿赂的事。神不会降低对子民的要求，以赛亚对犹大的领袖如此说：「寻求公平，解救受欺压的，给孤儿伸冤，为寡妇辨屈。」

　　在今天，神仍是这样吩咐我们。我们学习施怜悯行公义，作好准备等待有一天主亲自来到，「判断世上的谦卑人」（以赛亚书11:4）。