Proverbs 3:27-32

Proverbs 3:27-32 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. ²⁸Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. ²⁹Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. ³⁰Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. ³¹Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. ³²For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous (KJV).

Reflection

Few minority groups have been as systematically persecuted as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-identified people. Many people in the queer community remember when it was illegal to express same-gender love. In some areas of the world, being gay is a crime. Only relatively recently, have gay and bisexual people been protected from discrimination in the work place. Hate crimes legislation are still a distant dream for gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people in many areas of the world. God’s queer children know what it is like to be oppressed.

For the queer community, this is one of the most challenging passages in the book of Proverbs. God asks us not to oppress others, as we have been oppressed. We are not to envy political power so much that we sell out our principles, and start to oppress others. Queer people of color, bisexuals, trans people, and straights are not to be oppressed in God’s queer community.