BiAS 7 – The Bible and Politics in Africa
of brothers and sisters can be a new community in faith. This new rela-
tion can lead to a confession of the truth of God and his salvation.^2
In the Torah the relation of brothers and sisters is mentioned as the
cornerstone of the covenant. The true Israelite should at all times hon-
our brothers and sisters in faith. In Exodus 22:16-31, 22-25, the widow
and orphan is helped by the Lord and should at all times be honoured.
No rent should be taken from the fellow Israelite in difficulties. The
community should look after the most vulnerable individuals at all
times. In Lev 19:13-17^3 and 25:39-46 this principle of brotherhood is
again emphasised. The negative reactions of Edom towards their own
brothers in Numbers 20:14-21 again stress the need to live as brothers
and not to despise one another.
In Number 27:1-10 the story of Zelophehad’s daughters is told and again
it is emphasised that God’s righteousness include women and that they
should also be honoured as family in the household of God.^4 Bordereau
et al. (19 9 8:12) emphasise the element of justice in the story.
In Deut 24:5-25, the concept of brotherhood and sisterhood includes the
alien and the slave. The community of faith should always be the com-
munity of love. Within this community there had to be a very serious
link between their worship of God and their provision for the needs of
people amongst themselves.^5
(^2) Wenham (1994:433) explains the implications of the Joseph story: “Thus, not only does
the story of Joseph offer just models of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation and
illustrate the working of divine providence in human affairs, but it reports yet another
stage in the story of God’s saving purpose for the whole world”.
(^3) Hartley (1992:315) refers to Lev. 19:14 and the fact that those who fear God seek
justice: “Everyone needs to keep in mind the fact that God looks after the disadvan-
taged and holds accountable anyone who takes advantage of them”.
(^4) Budd (1984:302-303) explains the implications of the justice sought by Zelophehad’s
daughters: “Theologically the section presses the rights of women to a clear and recog-
nized legal position within the sphere of property law... The section also affirms the
fundamental jubilee principle that the unregulated appropriation of landed property is
harmful to the well-being of the community”. Olson (1996:167) also affirms the impli-
cations of the story: “They may provide encouragement and direction for those in our
own time concerned about issues of justice and gender”.
(^5) Kalland (1992:147) emphasises the corporate solidarity of the people of Israel in their
relationship with one another. Lohfink (1991:47) emphasises the biblical task: “But
poverty, which rises again and again, stimulates all brothers and sisters to react against
it and eradicate it immediately. Because of this reaction, which always calls forth di-
vine blessing, and because of the functioning system of provisions for the different
groups in Israel, what we read in Deut 15:4 also remains true: "There will be no poor