Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
And Esau took his
wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and
his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the
land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. For
their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land
wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. Thus
dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau [is] Edom. Genesis Chapter 36 verses 6 to 8.
Socio-economic injustice issues are a major cause of
deep seated resentment that sometimes snowballs into conflicts that sometimes
degenerate into wars. Unfortunately, this is to a large extent global.
Significantly, socio-economic injustice did not start today. It has always been
a part of human existence as individual, families, communities and nations have
always contended over resources especially in cases of inequitable resource
allocation.
There was contention over resources between Abram and
his nephew Lot in the book of Genesis Chapter 13 verses 1 to 18. The land was
not able to support them because of inadequate pasture for the large livestock
they had acquired over time. This created constant contention and strife over
between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram over pasture and probably water, storage
and shed facilities for the herds of Abram and Lot.
Abram reflected on the contention and strife which his
spirit, soul and body abhorred. He suggested separation so there could be
peace. That resolved the issue completely but most significantly expanded
Abram’s vision of divine purpose and divine resources for the accomplishment of
divine purpose. There was no more distraction, anxious moments occasioned by
the constant contention and strife. It was focus and progress all the way. Abram
could move forward, uninterrupted in the plans and purposes of God for His life
simply because he boldly took the decision to separate from contention and
strife.
The herdsmen of Isaac and the herdsmen of Gerar
contended over wells of water. Isaac and his herdsmen separated and dug a
number of places until they found wells of water that were not contended for.
They had peace and flourished in the land. Please see Genesis Chapter 26 verses
12 to 33.
Esau separated from Jacob when he realized that the
land could not contain the abundance they had both acquired in their sojourns.
He went and settled in Mount Seir. Significantly, Esau did not wait for
contentions and strife to arise over resources before moving. The Bible records
that he took the initiative to move to avoid contention and strife. Please see
Genesis Chapter 36 verses 1 to 8.
In the book of Acts Chapter 6 verses 1 to 7, the Bible
records that the Hellenists complained over the inequitable allocation of
resources to their people by the Hebrews. The Apostles were engrossed in the
preaching of the gospel and would not fritter time allocating resources or
resolving conflicts over resource allocation. The preaching of the gospel was
God’s priority for them. So the Apostles took a decision which I believe was
informed by the Holy Spirit to appoint people of good reputation, full of the
Holy Spirit and wisdom to administer resources equitably so they could invest
time preaching the gospel. Equitable resource allocation nipped in the bud
contentions and strife that would have hindered the effective preaching of the
gospel.
The Jewish nobles and rulers were also embroiled in
issues of inequitable resource allocation with the poor in the days of
Nehemiah, governor of Judah. The resolution was for equitable redistribution of
resources and the abolition of usury. Please see Nehemiah Chapter 5 verses 1 to
13.
As nations and peoples contend over resources and the
contentions snowball into conflicts, world leaders should bring to the front
burner issues of equitable resource allocation and distribution to calm frayed
nerves and the ever insatiable quest for armed conflicts globally. May the Lord
grant everyone understanding and bring healing to the nations of the world
embroiled in armed conflicts on account of inequities in the mighty name of
Jesus Christ.
Email:
olivesfamily@yahoo.com
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