Speak up!

Thursday –  Proverbs 31: 8-9 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

These words from King Lemuel’s mother point to a key element of protecting the visitor and the poor: silence leads to violence. We are called multiple times in this passage to “speak up” for others, in particular for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

This is a common theme throughout scripture, and those who fail to speak up, particularly those in comfortable and privileged positions, are called to account by God for their failure to use their privilege for the benefit of the disenfranchised.

What does it mean to you that God calls us to speak up and defend the rights of others?