Today's Daily Lesson comes from Proverbs chapter 17 verse 26:
"To impose a fine on the innocent is not right,
or to flog the noble for their integrity."
One of the demands put forward by community activists here in Fort Worth and around the country is that those arrested in recent days be released without charge. It is now evident that many of those taken into custody were detained for nothing more than violating the curfew law during otherwise altogether peaceful demonstration. Except those who were caught in specific acts of violence against police or property should be released without question; for they ought not to be punished for standing up to peaceably demand change.
Additionally, the teargassing of protesters here, in Washington, DC, and in other cities around the country is deeply troubling. What happened outside the gates of the White House is unacceptable. Peaceable demonstration is a Constitutional right; and the false label and libel of peaceable protesters as "terrorists" is a Constitutional wrong.
Flogging the noble will not stop the demonstrations. It will not make our cities and Country more governable. Rooting out racism is the only thing that will do that. It is time our leaders stop fighting the symptoms and start getting at the disease.
Jesus said, "Would that my people knew the things that make for peace."
A sword can win a war; but it will not win the peace. That can be gained only by winning the hearts and minds of the people.
NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Over the weekend we'll read Proverbs 19-24; 1 Kings 5-6; and 2 Chronicles 2-3.
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