10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone
    or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
11 for their Defender is strong;
    he will take up their case against you.

Defender

In court cases even the poor are assigned a Public Defender.  The United States judicial system believes it is just that the ‘powerless’ should be empowered in issues of justice.  Behind this principle, what makes it right, is that defending those without a voice reflects the character of God.  God is the Defender of the powerless.  It is easy to exploit people if we really put our minds to it.  Some people are really trusting.  What should cause us to pause is that God, who sees everything, upholds justice on behalf of those we manipulate. 

We may not be in any legal cases right now, but we might have our own agenda affecting other relationships.  We might manipulate our spouse for our own ends;  We might clontrol our brother or sister to get what we want; we might be domineering at work.  In each case, God will ultimately work against us when our case is unjust.  Of course, if we are on the receiving end of domination and manipulation, we can appeal to justice through our Defender and expect him to plead our case.

Questions

1. Who is powerless in these verses?
2. What is God’s role in these verses?
3. How would the powerful have manipulated those around them in Ancient Israel?
4. How do you manipulate others sometimes?  How would God stand against you?
5. How are you wronged?  How would you want God to defend you?