We Cannot Be Indifferent
Author
Myriam Díaz
Summary: We cannot remain on the sidelines when others suffer. Edom’s indifference during the attack against Israel made it complicit in the injustice, and its passivity concealed pride. This message confronted me for having distanced myself from people who needed help. Even when distance separates us, we are called to help our neighbor, intervene in the face of abuse, and not remain silent in the face of gossip or harm. Failing to act when we are able to do so amounts to supporting those who cause harm. We must abandon neutrality and ask forgiveness for the times we failed to stand by our brothers, sisters, and family members. Another person’s need can become an opportunity for reconciliation, love, and mercy.
Yesterday afternoon, I came across the book of Obadiah. Short but powerful. Obadiah’s vision concerns the condemnation that would come upon Edom for not helping the Israelites when they were attacked by enemy nations, but instead remaining aloof, indifferent, and doing nothing for them. The Edomites even robbed the Israelites after the enemy had defeated them (Obadiah 1:11).
on the day foreigners carried his army away captive,
when strangers entered through his gate and over Jerusalem
cast lots, you were like one of them.
What struck me about this beautiful reflection is that Edom’s separation and indifference ("you stood aloof") were strongly rejected by God ("you were like one of them"). In other words, by doing nothing and remaining aloof—neutral, a spectator—and not defending Israel during its battles, Edom was against Israel, according to verse 11.
Because I know that the Word of God is living and effective and is our daily bread, I immediately asked the Lord whether there was any area of my life in which I was acting indifferently or pridefully, as the Edomites had acted toward Israel. In His holy mercy, He confronts me with something that had been happening in my life.
I had been separated from some people, but now the Lord tells me that it is time to help those people. It does not matter if we have grown distant from someone; if that person is in need, we must help them. Helping our neighbor is necessary and required by God (love your neighbor as yourself).
Like a flash of lightning, this came to my mind (Matthew 12:30):
Whoever is not with Me is against Me; and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.
Revealing. Something old takes on a different flavor on my spiritual palate. In other words, I realize that I cannot take an indifferent stance when people are being harmed, attacked by the enemy, robbed of their blessings, abused, or in need in different ways. I cannot be indifferent when someone beside me gossips about another person; I cannot remain as though nothing were happening. I knew this and had filed it away; I had stopped putting it into practice. We have to intervene; we cannot be passive and indifferent.
I had heard the secular saying, "Silence implies consent." Today I understand that, in God’s eyes, the one who remains silent is a participant with those who speak and is equally guilty. I realize that I cannot act as though nothing is happening when something is indeed happening. It does not please God (Obadiah 1:3):
The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who dwell in the clefts of the rocks,
in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart:
‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
Pride deeply hidden behind passivity.
Forgive me, Lord. I recognize that remaining aloof from my brothers, sisters, and family when they needed me is like participating with those who abuse, despise, and rob them... The needs of others are an opportunity for reconciliation, love, and mercy.