Wash Yourselves: Defend the Orphan (5 of 6)
Defend! When this word is yelled out, the defense mechanism of every male should flash to consciousness. What female does not feel their emotions rise when they feel their child must be defended? Defense is needed because there is or will be an attack. Without a proper defense, the resulting effect is destruction, ruin, and devastation. The word “defend” should create a tremor within the soul that creates action directing self and others toward deliverance from the foe. Defense at its core, is a wise realization that despite having strengths, advantages, or any number of assets at hand, there is weakness which could put that which has value in jeopardy.
Humans are of great value to God, but they are not impervious to harm. Heat, cold, a minor blow, a fall, a lack of oxygen, any number of things can bring an end to their life. A man is typically built so that his frame, muscles, and skin can endure more than a woman, but by way of lifestyle, he is often more subject to bodily damage. A woman may be kept out of the way of environmental harm more than a man, but she has other risk factors which she must be protected against. Yet, even more crucial, beyond the physical, all humans are under constant attack from the devices of Satan and sin (I Peter 5:8, Romans 3:23). This type of attack is spiritual and its greatest damage is inflicted upon the spirit and soul of man. This kind of attack was a concern of the apostle Paul. He prayed not only that the body of the Thessalonians be protected, but their spirit and soul as well (I Thessalonians 5:23). Psalm 7:10 proclaims: “My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in the heart”. There is no greater spiritual or physical defense than God that anyone can have. His Word can raise the dead, forgive sins, and perfect mankind. James declared that it is the Word of God which saves souls (James 1:21); additionally, by that Word an individual and those interacting with him can have a defensive impact upon a soul in danger (I Peter 1:9, James 5:20). This has a direct bearing on the understanding of the Words of Isaiah “defend the orphan” (Isaiah 1:16-17).
Presented below is a quote from fathers.com which can be seen as a quick summary of the reams of data available in regard to the fatherless:
“children from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, become involved
in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens.”
While no man is free from hardship and poor decision making based on the environment they grew up in, the odds for harmful physical and spiritual effects happening to an individual go up drastically without a father. Their innocence is often shattered, their childhood jaded, and their ability to stay away from sin diminished. A mother is a blessing, but she is still not a substitute for a father (especially a godly one). God’s desire and individual direction to man was that he join together with a woman and have a family devoted to good (Genesis 1:28, 2:24, Ecclesiastes 12:13). When the family unit is broken the Lord does not turn his back on the orphan, but champions him (Deuteronomy 10:17-18, Psalm 68:5, Zechariah 7:9-10). Therefore, God gave an example to mankind by putting commands in place for Israel to make physical provision for the orphan (Deuteromony 24:19-21, Deuteronomy 26:12-13). Not only did God give direction in regard to the physical needs of the orphan, He gave warning to those who would try to take advantage of the leaderless in their weakened state (Exodus 22:22-24, Malachi 3:5, Deuteronomy 27:19).
The inherent reality of Isaiah’s instruction to the people of Judah to defend should have been a realization that there was vulnerability in regard to their orphans. The question at hand should have been what was the vulnerability and how could they be strengthened. To better understand the word used in the ASV translated “defend” (H8199) closer examination is needed. In regard to this term, the most applicable understanding seems to be from the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Definition: “to act as law-giver or judge or governor”. Extrapolating from this definition, it seems the need of the orphaned in Isaiah’s time has the potential of being twofold: First, there was a need for godly litigation to be enacted defending the rights/needs of the orphan. Second, was a need to guide the orphan in regard to the laws of God, thus defending his soul. Both of these areas are a necessity for all men, but there is a particularly area of want concerning the orphan which makes them subject to the need of protection – they have no earthly father to lead and defend them in any manner (see footnote 1).
In regard to the litigation understanding of “Defend the orphan”, the people of Judah who had the authority, knowledge, or means should have acted to defend those unable to do so. The leading men of Isaiah and Jeremiah’s age failed in this regard (Jeremiah 22:1-3). Their interests were for their own gain. In a way, the government should have served as a father. It should have provided leadership, kindness, and proper judicial examples. However, the corrupted leadership became worse than not having a father because rather than leadership there was a stumbling block and evil influence. The wickedness simply encouraged the breakdown of societal function based on selfishness and abuse. Judah saw they could take advantage of the fatherless, coerce them when they were vulnerable, and utilize them as pawns for their own gain. Rather than looking out for the orphan, the citizenry followed the lead of the government and sought its own desires. Thus, the orphan was oppressed and did not find justice. They did not have an earthly father to stand for them literally or figuratively. The same judicial responsibility that rested with the people of Judah also existed for the people of Jesus’ time and even today (Romans 13:1-10, I Timothy 1:8-10).
Spiritually, “Defend the orphan” is an opportunity for the godly man to guide the orphan in the path of God rather than the orphan faltering on his own path (Proverbs 14:12). It is a blessing to fill a void in the lives of the fatherless. When the godly man shares their knowledge of God’s truths and His creation, the orphan can find strength for all of his needs (2 Peter 1:2-3). Men with the wisdom given by God can give direction and demonstrate the laws of God which have worked blessing in their lives. They can provide encouragement and hope, having likely experienced loss or despair themselves, but knowing how to move forward in Christ. To defend a soul is to fulfill the divine purpose of human existence (Ephesians 2:10). Isaiah called upon Judah to act in such a manner. However, they would not listen. Judah had previously been chosen to be God’s children. They were defended by Him until they refused Him. In doing so, they had no true defense at all. They would be subject to destruction as strangers to Him.
Thus far Isaiah’s words have been examined in regard to the responsibility of the government and individuals of Judah with application to men of today. Whether by means of litigation or spiritual direction, godly leadership is needed. However, one other application needs to be made.
Today as a chosen people of God, Christians should heed the plight of the fatherless. Anyone would be hard pressed to find a Christian who would argue against this fact. However, what about Christians who want a Church without a father? Like an individual without a father, a church without the leadership of authorized men (elders) is an entity operating like a fatherless family. The ordained leadership of God is absent. Yet, it is not a rare thing to hear members of such a body state: “Why do we need elders, everyone here is working together just fine.” It is a surety that dysfunctional behavior will result as time goes by and the believers attempt to do what is “right in their own eyes”.
There are many reasons people flock to congregations without elderships. Most go out of ignorance, not understanding the importance of God’s leadership design for the body of His spiritual children (Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, I Timothy 3:5, Titus 1:5, Hebrews 13:17). Some attend because it is the only or closest Church to which they can travel. Some attend due to unrest or unhappiness at their previous congregation. A number of others may head to these congregations so they can follow teachings they like (2 Timothy 4:3) or so they may avoid receiving the discipline of an eldership for actions they have chosen to do. Whatever the reason, the odds are great that the leaderless body of believers will become rebellious children making more foolish and ignorant decisions. There are an increasing number of these “fatherless” churches across the land. As they spread, so does the lack of leadership and authorized activity in the Church.
“Defend the Orphan!” Men teach your boys to desire to be elders. Have them follow the Old paths where they should walk (Jeremiah 6:16). Yet, like Judah, so many now refuse to do so, not understanding the great loss to which they have come. They now call it good rather than evil to reject an eldership which is their figurative father (Isaiah 5:20). Becoming orphans themselves, they worsen the plight of other orphans by steering them away from ordained fathers. In doing so, they mistreat one another and ignore the needs of the weak who need the leadership and strength of an eldership.
Elders lead your Church Family, the flock of God, and prepare many to serve as elders some day. Stress the importance of the leadership of a father. Make certain it is taught from the pulpit that Christians have a duty to aid those individuals who do not have fathers. Maker certain it is taught there is a spiritual and physical responsibility that should be driven by duty and love. Do not fail in your duty as ravenous wolves come in tearing away disciples and creating orphaned Churches (Acts 20:28-29). Christians obey and submit to your spiritual fathers, for they are assigned to watch over your souls. Heed the words of Isaiah, so that the plight of destruction by the hand of God does not visit you.
Footnote
(1) The ASV term H3490 rendered “orphan” appears forty-two times in the KJV Old Testament. However, in that translation it appears as the term “fatherless”. Closer examination does not shed any light upon which term is preferred. However, someone who is fatherless is not necessarily the same as one who is an orphan. An orphan is not only without his father, but he is without his mother. Still, there is a commonality for both the usages “orphan” and “fatherless”: The God ordained leader of the family is missing. This article will approach the words of Isaiah as if in reference to those who no longer have a father present in their lives, thus including both the fatherless and orphan.