Today, Sunday September 22, is widely observed as Freedom Sunday – a day dedicated to stopping the human trafficking and slavery that is rampant in the world in which we live. 

Many people think of slavery as something of the past, but the problem is far greater than is often realized in our own age.  It is estimated that there are now over 45 million people enslaved throughout the world – actually more than at any other time in history! 

Modern slavery is also incredibly widespread.  Slavery or human trafficking for the purposes of slavery has been detected in 167 countries of the world.  This includes Western nations such as the United States and Great Britain, but 58 percent of people in slavery are living in just five countries: India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan. The International Justice Mission, which organizes the annual Freedom Sunday efforts, also lists Guatemala, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines as being particularly problematic.  Even this long list does not include totalitarian regimes such as North Korea where virtual slavery as political punishment and repression is also a fact of life.

Slavery can take many forms.  Although modern slavery includes people literally being owned by other people – just as in the past – it more often takes the form of people being exploited and completely controlled by others, without the possibility of escape. But in all cases it involves the use of kidnapping, trickery, lies or violence to force a person to work for little or no pay – often in demeaning and destructive circumstances.  Even apart from the physical dangers involved for those who are kidnapped or manipulated by traffickers, the psychological and emotional problems suffered by those enslaved are often devastating.

As a result of the horrendous nature and extent of the problem, many governments are acting to curb human trafficking and slavery, but the sad truth is that nowhere near enough is being done to truly eradicate this curse.  In countries where the problem is most pronounced, the governments themselves often turn a blind eye toward what is happening. Yet there is much we can do as individuals. 

Four Ways to Fight

Consider the following four possibilities for involvement in the fight against slavery:

Educate Yourself:  It is hard to successfully fight an enemy we know little about. But educating ourselves about modern trafficking and slavery is relatively simple and can supercharge our own desire to fight these evils.  Take a few minutes to read about the basic facts of slavery today by looking at the Wikipedia article on Slavery in the 21st Century  or at the information on websites such as those of Anti-Slavery International or International Justice Mission.

Spread the Word:  This weekend, thousands of churches around the world will dedicate part or all of their services to share stories and facts about the reality of slavery and to urge congregants to get involved in the fight.  If we have educated ourselves in relation to the problem, there are various ways (using social media, for example) in which we too can spread the word as individuals.
  
Support Organized Efforts:    Anti-Slavery International  and the International Justice Mission are leading the fight internationally against slavery, though there are other organizations also doing valuable work in this area.  Checking out their websites may give you ideas for ways you can support this kind of organized effort.

Pray:  Even if we do nothing else in the fight against slavery, we certainly can, and should, pray for those actively working to stop the problem at different levels, especially those working in law enforcement and international justice.  We can also pray for the eyes of those in positions of authority around the world to be opened to see the evil of slavery and what must be done to end it. 

Free the Oppressed

As Christians we should take seriously the many biblical injunctions to help those who are oppressed.  Isaiah 1:17  tells us: “Seek justice and defend the oppressed” and Isaiah 58:6 shows us that even our spiritual activity can be meaningless if we do not do what we can in this fight: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”  The fight for freedom is ongoing and applies just as much to us today as it did to those who fought to curb slavery in the past.

Does the Bible teach peacemaking (the avoidance of conflict when it is possible) or pacifism (the complete avoidance of conflict under any circumstances)?  It’s especially confusing for many people because some claim that the Bible teaches the first of these ideas while others claim it teaches the second.
 
Nevertheless, both the Old and New Testament give a consistent picture when it comes to this question, so rather than try to look at all the possible scriptures on the subject we can focus on one or two clear examples.  

In the Old Testament
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One of the clearest examples of the Bible’s approach to this question can be found in the story of the patriarch Abram/Abraham – the “father of the faithful” as he is called (Romans 4:11) – and his nephew Lot. In Genesis 13 we read:

“… quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s….  So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:7-9).

We need to notice that this was not a simple parting of the ways of the two men.  The “quarreling” that erupted between Abram’s servants and Lot’s was apparently intense (the Hebrew is translated “strife” and “adversary” in other passages).  Although Abraham was the senior family member, he calmed things down even to the extent of allowing Lot to choose the best area and taking what appeared to be “second best” himself.  This is a classic example of peacemaking at its best – where someone in a position to act otherwise nevertheless shows humility and great flexibility in order to avoid strife.

But only a chapter later in Genesis we read that Lot and all his family and servants were subsequently taken captive by raiding kings of four nearby cities, and Abram’s response was quite different:

“The four kings …carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions … When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people” (Genesis 14:11-16).

So, despite Abram’s obvious desire to avoid conflict when this was possible, in circumstances where peacemaking simply would not have worked and people’s lives were at stake, Abram was willing and ready to use force.  The fact that Abram had trained men ready to fight* but only used them in such circumstances shows Abram was a man of peace, not pacifism.

In the New Testament
 
When we turn to the New Testament, we find this same attitude of avoiding conflict whenever possible – yet with the understanding that this is not always an option.  We find Jesus teaching: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9), but also showing that while there are circumstances where the “sword” is not appropriate, there are perhaps others where it is (Luke 22:36).  But it is in the writings of the apostle Paul that the New Testament teaching on peace is most clearly laid out.

First, we should note Paul stresses that God is a God of peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16) and as a result he tells us “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Romans 14:19).  But in the same letter to the Romans Paul also writes: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).   Here Paul clearly indicates that there are circumstances where it is not always possible to live at peace – as when we or others are attacked and need to defend ourselves. In such circumstances, as Paul’s words must mean, the responsibility of peace depends not on us, but on others.  If others will not walk peacefully, then the use of defensive force may become unavoidable.
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Pacifism claims that there are no circumstances where it is morally acceptable to resort to force, but the Bible nowhere clearly teaches this view and gives many examples of the defense of self and others. Certainly we should avoid strife as much as possible in every circumstance. The author of the book of Hebrews makes this clear in saying that we should “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone” (Hebrews 12:14).  But making every effort to avoid strife – loving peace and seeking peace wherever possible – is peacemaking, not pacifism. 

* For more information on the story of Abram’s rescue mission, see our blog post “Allies, Preparation and Persistance“. 

By Philip W. Shields
 
Any of you who have travelled abroad realize you have to go through Customs, have a passport, in some cases show your visa as well, declare your purpose for coming into their country, answer a few questions – and then you can proceed. But we can’t just step into any other country without the proper paperwork and acknowledgement that we are entering as a foreigner into someone else’s country.

I start with this because, for some reason, some in this country want us to act as if we have no border. Even the former president of Mexico recently made the statement “God did not create borders”.  But Scripture is clear:  God did create borders.  Let me show you. 

What’s the first “border” you can think of that is clearly mentioned in scripture –  a border that God himself imposed?  The Garden of Eden. When our ancient parents transgressed the Almighty’s command they were ejected from the Garden.  But then what?  God placed a flaming sword at the one entrance to the garden, keeping out anyone unauthorized to enter.  This is something God did.  So our God clearly intended to enforce his borders. Let’s read it: “So He (God) drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24, emphases added here and in the scriptures below).

A case can be made there was a prior illegal border crossing. Jude 6 gives us a hint that the first unauthorized border crossing was when Heylel (improperly called Lucifer) and his rebellious angels left their proper domain and attempted the first coup d’état against God himself.

Scripture mentions “border” or “borders” close to 200 times. For example:  “And the ​border of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza…” (Genesis 10:19).

Did God create boundaries and borders?  How about these examples:

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations.  Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders, and they will tell you:  When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:7-8).

God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings… (Acts 17:24-26).

Next let’s look at Numbers 34, where indeed the Almighty Himself specifies the borders and boundaries for each of the tribes of Israel:
 
Then God spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance — the land of Canaan to its boundaries. Your southern border …  As for the western border …  And this shall be your northern border … You shall mark out your eastern border … This shall be your land with its surrounding boundaries‘” (Numbers 34:1-12).
   
That was God himself speaking!  So did God create borders?  Pretty clear, isn’t it.  He updates Israel’s borders for a future time in Ezekiel 47 and 48. Check it out. 

In Psalm 74:17 Asaph wrote the following:  “You have set all the borders of the earth …”

So you see, the former president of Mexico was wrong when he said “God did not create borders.” 

Now, having borders does not mean we should not allow visitors, immigrants and new citizens.  But borders are of God. They should be respected.  And foreigners are to be loved and respected  – but they must abide by the same laws that existing citizens have to obey.

 
*Adapted from the author’s blog at LightontheRock.org. Scripture quotations taken from the New King James Version.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;  he drew me out of deep waters” (Psalm 18:16).

In the wake of the extensive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana, President Trump has called for a special National Day of Prayer in the United States, today, Sunday, September 3.

The flooding has already claimed many lives and inflicted countless injuries, and the extent of property damage in the flooded area is almost incalculable.  Hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged, and in the city of Houston alone almost a million cars have been destroyed.  While it is difficult to accurately assess the cost of flood damage at this early time, it is likely that the amount will be hundreds of billions of dollars.

The President’s call for national prayer is thus one of prayer for the victims of the hurricane and for the success of the  national response and recovery efforts.  We can pray not only for those who have lost family members and friends or who have been injured, but also for all those who are in a desperate situation having lost their homes and possessions. We should also pray for the emergency-services and medical personnel, military and all who are helping people in the affected areas.

Naturally, those of us who have not been affected by this natural disaster can also contribute financially, as we are able, to any of the relief agencies and  charities that are working in the flooded areas.  The existence of many scams and fraudulent email appeals for money make it wiser to contribute directly through the websites of recognized charities, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

But even if we are unable to give physically, we can give spiritually on this day of prayer by interceding for those who need help.  And we should not limit our prayers to help for those within our own nation.  At this same time millions of people are suffering from massive floods that have occurred in Asia where  over 1200 have been killed and some 40 million people affected by flooding in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Parts of many cities are underwater and the storm front continues to move into Pakistan, where much more damage is expected.  In Sierra Leone a mudslide caused by rising storm waters killed over 1,000 people recently in the worst flooding that West African nation has faced in recent memory. 

The amount of suffering caused by these and other recent storms, like the total cost of damage done, cannot be calculated and is ongoing.  Government, state, and local agencies as well as charities and civilian groups are doing what can be done to help the people in need, but even if we are not involved directly, our part can be one of praying for that which cannot be accomplished humanly.

“When you pass through the waters,” the word of God tells us, “I will be with you” (Isaiah 43:2).  That is a promise we should be humbly claiming today – for all those suffering from great flooding in our own nation and throughout the world.