Human trafficking: Faith reflection

Administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed… Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor. - Jeremiah 21:12, 23:13

In the Bible, we hear of a God who hears the cries of slaves, sets people free, and demands justice for the oppressed. In the Gospel of Luke, we learn that Jesus was sent to proclaim good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and to set the oppressed free. When we follow his example, we prove that we are people of God.

The prophets repeatedly call our attention to the reality that we must speak up for the forgotten among us, no matter what the cost. Ancient Israelites who oppressed the poor may not be so different from members of today’s society who benefit from convenience and cheap goods because of the bondage of our brothers and sisters. God calls us to confront injustice rather than pretending ignorance.

Human trafficking is a terrible tragedy, but we have hope in the fact that God is creating a world where all will “sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid.” (Amos 4:4)

Anabaptist Response to Human Trafficking

At its 2009 convention, Mennonite Church USA passed a statement against human trafficking. The statement was requested by the Mennonite Women USA board of directors. The goals of the statement were to promote advocacy for laws protecting victims, educate constituents on the issue and signs of trafficking, and compel support for healing in the lives of victims.

Photo credit: harry harris/flickr