47 Days of Justice 2024 - Day 21: If the righteous choose to remain silent, they will be marginalized to the point of irrelevance.

“But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭37:21-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My maternal grandmother had a “famous”saying: “Do more and say less.” Now, I understand what her meaning was: Do what you’re going to do without drawing a lot of attention to yourself, without letting folks know what you’re up to.

Now, that may be strategic in some situations. The now proverbial phrase, “Loose lips sink ships,” became ubiquitous on posters during World War II. In other words, in battle, don’t give away your strategy to the enemy.

In terms of a biblical application of “do more and say less,” Jesus said that it is advisable to “do more and say less” in terms of the doing of good deeds like charitable giving.

““Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, Jesus went further to include “do more and say less,” in terms of the things performed in devotion to the Lord like praying and fasting.

““When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

However, Jesus, in no uncertain terms, made clear that those who do not speak up about their relationship with Him, will not be able to count on Him speaking up for them before the Father.

““Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:32-33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I understand the power of intimidation. How else could you have a so-called silent majority ending up being dominated by a loud, rowdy, Godless, minority?

I get it. Some remain silent in the face of evil out of fear. Still others may remain silent in the name of “peace.” But fail to speak up long enough, and eventually you will look around and not recognize your country, your society, even your own family. Remember, while you are busy being “silent,” those who are part of the world system, are very busy being loud and active!

In terms of “saying less” in the face of injustice, the Lord counts those who don’t speak up, along with those who commit the injustices.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

““If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Consider what Mordecai told Queen Esther concerning Haman’s plot to kill all the Jews:

“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?””

‭‭Esther‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Looking at our portion of Joseph’s story today, I really don’t understand why Reuben—being the oldest and knowing the power that position carried in those days—would not have just clearly said, “This thing is wrong and we’re not going to do it!”

Perhaps Reuben actually feared the rest of the brothers. Perhaps he thought that saving Joseph this way would keep the peace. But no matter why Reuben did what he did, I can’t help but wonder: How will this plan turn out for him?

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim #47DaysOfJudgement