Biblical heroes prevent unjust deaths

If you are slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited.
Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter,
Oh hold them back.
If you say, "See, we did not know this,"
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?
—Proverbs 24:10-12

WHAT'S THE SITUATION? These verses describe a period of trouble, distress, adversity… perhaps caused by scarcity, war, or injustice. People are staggering or stumbling toward death–whether by being taken, led, or drawn to it of their own accord. The cause may be the wickedness of people in power, or by the victim’s own choosing and recklessness. 

The idea of staggering or stumbling to slaughter could indicate the victims are spiritually blind or unwittingly heading toward doom, not necessarily against their will. They could be carried away by deception (even self-deception) and unable to help themselves. The warnings of Ezekiel 3:17-19 apply.

This passage might even be read as an injunction to stop in their tracks the people who are intending to kill, in order to spare them the guilt of innocent blood. 

Whatever the case, their doom needs to be prevented. Unless someone intervenes, they are lost! Readers are obligated to act.

WHO IS CALLED TO ACTION? It may have been originally addressed to Solomon’s son, a future king. There are many references to a father and son in the immediate context: Prov. 23:15,19,22,26, 24:13. Proverbs 31:4-9 is a similar call specifically aimed at the new king and his government leaders. But the appeal seems also to be addressed to bystanders, people hoping to merely observe. 

This passage doesn’t allow for uninvolved spectators. We’ll be looking at biblical examples of heroes who did just what this text requires.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE? The text does not specify what exactly is happening or how it can be stopped, only that something must be done. Those called to action must rescue the perishing, hold them back from the brink of unjust death, restrain the evil that’s about to be done or risk being called into account by God (Genesis 9:5-6). 

Yes, days are adverse, distressing, but that is not an excuse to be weak and faint. If you faint…if you make excuses…you will be called to account. Excuses are not allowed. Readers cannot argue they don’t know what’s going on or that they’re unable to act. It is not acceptable to do nothing.

Extreme straits can lead to terrible dilemmas. As we’ll see in the biblical examples below, responses must be tailored to the situation. The means and method of action are left up to the ones who take action. 

The context offers insight into how appropriate action can be taken: Prov. 24:5-6, 13-14, 19-22, 24-25. Verses 5 and 6 show that knowledge and wise counsel are key to increasing one’s strength and courage for action. Learn all you can about the situation and its causes, and then seek advice from a variety of sources.

WHAT IS GOD DOING? This passage portrays God as One who cares about people, observes what is going on, and sees what we do in response, whether we were asleep or too busy elsewhere. He knows the reasons we don’t act and whether they are valid. He renders a just verdict, with the proper reward or chastisement. 

But He who “weighs the heart” is also the keeper of souls. He judges us but also takes responsibility for us. When we act on behalf of someone else, perhaps putting ourselves at risk, He can guard us from danger.

WHAT DOES INACTION REVEAL ABOUT A PERSON? Those who fail to act find they don’t really believe God is watching, that fears have overtaken faith. Perhaps inaction proves a person is more interested in comfort and ease than future reward (treasure in heaven); perhaps they love the world more than they love God (1 John 2:15). On the other hand, those who take action find they've grown in strength and enjoy greater confidence in God.

Profiles in courage

To explore more deeply the questions of who should intervene and how it can be done, we’ll look at accounts of people in the Bible who rescued others at great risk to themselves. Thankfully, there are many good examples. 

In addition to thinking about who they were (what position they held in society) and what specific actions they took, it’s interesting to consider the obstacles and opposition they faced, how they demonstrated courage, and what motivated them.

►Some of their brothers were ready to kill Joseph, but Reuben and Judah spoke up. They knew it would be wrong to shed innocent blood, especially when the life in danger was their brother’s. They didn’t want to be like Cain. Their plans were imperfect, but succeeded in keeping Joseph alive so he could one day preserve the whole family. (Genesis 37:19-27)

►Hebrew baby boys were about to be slaughtered by the king’s edict. The midwives refused to obey, at great risk to their lives and livelihood. They feared God more than Pharaoh, and believed God wanted to preserve Abraham’s line, through which Messiah would come. (Exodus 1:15-21)

►David was being chased by the king, but Saul’s son Jonathan sacrificed his own claim to the throne in order to save his friend. He spoke in favor of David to his father, and later warned David of the continuing threat. He believed David was God’s choice to be the next king, and that David was innocent of any charge deserving the death penalty. (1 Samuel 19:1-7 and 20:1-42)

►Prompted by a quick-thinking servant, Abigail swept into action to save innocent men from her husband’s folly and a vengeful David. Her generous gift and eloquent pleas averted unnecessary and unjust bloodshed. David later admitted God had used her to keep him from sinning. (1 Sam. 25)

►Prophets of God were being hunted down and massacred by Queen Jezebel. Obadiah, a servant in King Ahab’s household, hid 100 of them in caves and fed them from the king’s own table. He risked his job and his life because He feared God more than these evil rulers. He trusted God as his King and Judge. (1 Kings 18:3-4)

►All Jews in the kingdom of Persia were fair game for murder because an official named Haman manipulated King Ahasuerus. Queen Esther bravely and passionately spoke up on their behalf, overcoming her fear and the belief she was incapable of doing anything. She saw that God had uniquely placed her where she could help. (Esther 3:5-11, 4:1-17, 8:4-6) 

►Wicked people preyed upon the poor, orphans, widows, as well as the dying, blind, and lame. Job encouraged these victims of oppression by finding practical ways to help them, and also acted to ensure there would be no future victimization. He knew God is righteous and just and wanted to be like Him. (Job 29:11-17)

►Priests and false prophets wanted Jeremiah silenced; they called on King Jehoiakim to kill him. Ahikam and other leaders spoke up to save his life, even though they lived in a difficult time of God’s judgment. They knew it would be wrong to do nothing. (Jeremiah 26:12-24)

►Zedekiah was a weak king who allowed his officials to torment Jeremiah by throwing him in a muddy pit and leaving him to die. Thankfully, he later listened to a foreigner in his court who knew right from wrong. Ebed-Melek convinced the king that a prophet of God should not be treated this way. (Jer. 38:1-13)

►In Jesus’ parable of the good neighbor, thieves beat up and robbed a traveler and left him to die along the road. A priest and a Levite passed by without touching the victim because doing so might make them unclean, but a Samaritan stopped to help. His intervention was costly, time-consuming, and perhaps risky, but he felt pity for the victim. (Luke 10:25-35)

►Some Jews wanted to kill Paul, but his unnamed nephew learned of the plot and spoke to officials who could protect Paul. The nephew risked attracting the ire of the Jews; the Roman commander was not a Christian but still did the right thing. (Acts 23:12-31)

These too are real heroes of faith, more than the writer of Hebrews could mention. In each case, a brave individual intervened in a life and death situation because of their strong and wise faith in God. Some were leaders or  prominent citizens but others were ordinary folk. None said, “That’s not my job. Let someone else do it!” If we make them our heroes, what kind of people might we be?

The actions taken fell into two categories: speaking up or offering practical help, sometimes both. In a few cases, bold words were all it took. Other situations called for stealth or secrecy. It bears pointing out that none of these heroes took matters into their own hands to slay the evildoers.

History outside the biblical record also gives us good examples, such as people who hid Jews during the Nazi holocaust and those who helped others escape slavery via the Underground Railroad.

Strength and wisdom work together to save lives. Wisdom doesn’t stick its head in the sand to avoid learning about injustices and the perils that people face. A wise person uses his or her strengths—whatever God has given—to help those who are weaker or in greater peril.

Pro-life courage

Now consider the kinds of distress that leads pregnant women to consider or obtain abortions. Maybe she lacks a husband or home, good parental guidance. It could be that she and her baby have been (or will be) abandoned by the baby’s father. Criticizing a pregnant woman for getting herself into a bad situation doesn’t help her or the child who is in imminent danger. Oh, hold them back!

How should we behave toward women who are caught up in the distress of abortion? What are some practical things we can do?

• Support the work of pregnancy care centers through donations and volunteering
• Welcome unwed mothers and their children to church
• Be ready to help with car or home repairs, job searches, child care… whatever is needed

How can we meet the challenge of abortion distress by speaking up?

• Speak to the woman about the dangers of abortion, about her alternatives, about forgiveness after abortion
• Speak up for her and her baby—to her parents and the baby’s father, to government authorities, to the community at large

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. —Galatians 6:9-10

Next: God is pro-life

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Image credit: Esther, by Jean-François Portaels, c.1869, https://www.wikiart.org/en/jean-francois-portaels/esther-1869