Isaiah 5:23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
In the previous verse, God was pronouncing judgment on those who brag about how much alcohol they can drink. These folks also brag about their bar tending skills.
Also under judgment are those who take money or material gain to prop up, endorse a scoundrel. The adjective “wicked” or rasha in the Hebrew assumes the person is guilty of a crime. Thankfully in 21st century American culture we have evolved past this…right. This currently is on full display with an election cycle coming up this November of 2012. We hear about how great this candidate is and how smart he/she is. They must be elected. Think of all the good things they are going to do for us. Never mind the fact they have not paid their taxes. Never mind the fact their gay partner is running a brothel out the basement of their house. No big deal, just give me a little something, we will overlook this.
Second, the rights of the innocent are ignored. Personal freedom erodes. Does this sound familiar? It is happening all around us in multiple aspects of our culture. Take the War on Terrorism. Look at the personal freedoms surrendered in the name of safety. The government has been allowed unprecedented liberty to wiretap and eavesdrop on communication.
A small town in Missouri is trying to pass a law that would allow officers to inspect private property without the owner’s permission if the local judge finds probable cause to issue a search warrant for the purpose of proving existence of violations. The officers would be allowed to search at “any reasonable time” and with “any reasonable cause”. The counter argument is protection under the 4th Amendment of the Constitution, privacy in regards to search and seizure of private property.
God is for the protection of personal freedom and rights within the boundaries of moral, just law.
