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Corner 023---Rob Bell

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"Why is it that often when we get what we want, we still feel empty? We work so hard to succeed, but our lives just end up becoming more about us. Can success turn on us?" ~ Rob Bell

Good Questions. Corner is a brief study on the passages in the bible that make preparations for the orphan and the widow. It's funny that this has come up, because in the same day I watched an episode of Penn and Teller's cable show where they denounce the morality of the bible citing Exodus 21.7

People use this passage as a means to say, "see God doesn't care if you sell your children into slavery." God is pro-slaves. But the passage in question isn't directed to the parent who sells the daughter into slavery, the passage is directed to the person who accepts the daughter as a slave. The command is a command from Hebrews to Hebrews. These are not Hebrew slaves serving another country or a dominate oppressor. This is, "if you can't pay your bills and you are forced to hire out your daughter to the person you owe money to...." And then the chapter Exodus 21 is a directive to the people who accept indentured servants as payment.

And what are the directives? After 7 years of service they get to go free - no debt should last longer than that. [some of you can't say the same thing about your credit card companies] This is a way to protect the worker.

What else? If the slave doesn't work to your satisfaction you may not sell them off to forefingers, and last if setting her free would mean she would become homeless or an outcast, you are obligated to house and feed her until she is married or can be provided for.

These passages are to protect those who can not protect themselves. These are not passages to condone slavery or selling your children.

Corner is about seeing the other people in the world, especially the people that have no voice.

Bono once said, "God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war... God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them."

Save a corner of the world for someone else. In your consumption and consumerism begin to see the person behind you in line.

"The Earth provides enough to satisfy everyone's need, but not enough to satisfy everyone's greed." - Mahatma Gandhi.