Our Shared Responsibility
Verse: 1 Chronicles 6:15
“And Jehozadak went into captivity when the Lord carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.”
This single verse tells a deep and challenging story. Jehozadak was a righteous man from a priestly lineage; his father was executed for his faith, and his son would grow up to help rebuild a nation. Yet, he was swept into exile. His story shows us that the consequences of a society’s collective sin often fall on the just and the unjust alike. Like Daniel, Ezekiel, and others taken captive, Jehozadak suffered not for his personal failings, but for the entrenched evil of the nation he belonged to.
This is a sobering reminder for us. Our personal piety and faith secure our eternal relationship with God, but they do not always shield us from the temporal crises that engulf our communities. When evil becomes widespread, its destructive impact whether through natural consequences or divine judgment does not discriminate. This is why we cannot be passive. We are called to be alert and to actively oppose the evil that God does not tolerate. Our silence or inaction can allow wrongdoing to grow until it harms everyone.
Therefore, our duty extends beyond personal holiness. We are also called to eradicate evil by other means: through peaceful protest, advocating for just laws, educating others, supporting the vulnerable, and being a voice for truth in our workplaces and public squares. We must engage with our world wisely and courageously.
However, our approach matters. In a world of diverse faiths and ideas, we must be careful. If we only speak in religious terms or focus only on winning doctrinal arguments, we may fail to be heard. Our goal is not merely to make people adopt our beliefs, but to encourage justice, compassion, and moral integrity. We are called to connect people to the Creator, whose love transforms the heart, but we are also to use common sense and reason to promote the common good. Warning against evil and promoting good are both part of our mission.
Let us live in a way that reflects God’s character not only in our worship but also in our commitment to a better, more righteous society. We must pray fervently for God’s kingdom to come, but we must also act faithfully as His agents in the world.
Prayer:
Gracious God,we see in Jehozadak’s life a lesson about our shared responsibility. Help us to live righteously, but also to stand against evil in all its forms. Give us courage to speak, wisdom to act, and love to guide our efforts. Make us agents of Your justice and mercy in this world, for the sake of all. Amen.