Perhaps
you have heard the words, “Man’s inhumanity to man.” It seems that during every
social crisis someone will repeat or rephrase these words. The phrase is first
documented in Scotsman Robert Burns poem, “Man Was Made to Mourn: A Dirge” in
1784. He wrote, “Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn!” When
Burns wrote the poem, rural Scotland where he was reared was still in feudalism.
He grew up in poverty, hardship, and hard manual labor. This poem depicts life
at the time, “Where hundreds labour to support, A haughty lordling's pride.” His
tenant-farmer father could only offer his large family an impoverished life of humiliating
poverty and debt. With that heritage it is not surprising that he wrote many poems
of “deep personal despondency and social rebellion.” His life was marinated in
a world where humans displayed, “Man’s inhumanity to man.”
The inhumanity of 18th century
Scotland may be comparable with our world in the 21st century. Why
such embedded inhumanity in humanity? The events of recent days, not only in
our nation but in the nations of our world, beg the question. Is the cause political?
One political regime using their power to suppress the aspirations and
viewpoints of others assumes their agenda is the cure for society’s ills. Is there
perhaps a religious cause? The dominate religion of a nation chooses to
eliminate any competitive religious belief systems by persecution rather than
by persuasion or demonstration of their merit. Might racial or socioeconomic
factors be the cause of inhuman conduct? It is assumed that if racial or
economic issues were corrected by some sort of human design or legislation,
then tensions would be eliminated, and peaceful harmony would prevail. In a
period of deep worldwide hurt, anger, and pain all sorts of explanations are
proposed that deal with the inhumanity to humanity we see.
In the story of Joseph in the Bible we see
a young man treated by his brothers with inhumanity (Genesis 37). Joseph was a
child of privilege – for his father loved him more than his brothers (37:3).
The result was that he was hated by his brothers because of his preferential
status and special treatment and gift (37:4). The hatred grew so intense that
murderous intentions developed in his brother’s hearts (37:18). Ultimately
Joseph is thrown into a cistern and finally sold into slavery (37:27). Their
inhumanity was obvious as they confessed, “We saw his anguish when he pleaded
for his life, but we wouldn’t listen” (42:21). In Joseph we see unmerited privilege
can be a huge liability and even be transformed from a blessing into a bane in
a corrupt world. However, God in His grace took what was evil and turned it to
good (50:20). We observe how God sovereignly superintends even in the
inhumanity we encounter in life.
The root cause for the evil in Joseph’s
bothers was ungodliness – they hated Joseph for who he was, not for what he had
done. He had done them no wrong. But embedded in their hearts was a disposition
to do evil. That evil was expressed toward Joseph with the inhumane treatment
they dispensed. So often we look at the fruits of humanity’s inhumane conduct
rather than consider the roots that gave birth to an unconscionable action. In an
earlier biblical record of a human’s inhumane treatment of another human, we
read, “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so
dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do
what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control
you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Gen. 4:6-7). Cain neglected
the Lord’s warning, refused to control his sinful impulse, and ended up killing
his brother Able (4:8).
It has been my experience oftentimes to
excuse my sinful actions by placing the blame on others, or my circumstances,
or even on God – “That’s the way you made me!” I must resolve to ask God to
help me address the sinful attitude in my own heart rather than transferring
the blame to someone or something else. I cannot fix, nor am I responsible to
fix, other people. I am responsible to treat other people humanely and lovingly.
This creates an atmosphere where God can heal the brokenhearted who have been
treated inhumanely in this wounded world.
The problem with inhumanity is that it
breads even more inhumanity. Therefore, we need to seek to live in this world
as Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed
are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:7-9). May God help us face the
world’s inhumanity with Christlike character and conduct.
