Modern people complain about equality a lot. You could argue it is the pre-occupation of the modern mind, this quest for the magic unicorn of "equality". Australians love to say our culture is defined by "a fair go mate" for all. Everyone gets an equal start in life. Never mind that this is observably not true, even two kids in the same family often don't get the same start in life. It is interesting to see this complaint brought up in the Bible.
"13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 14 Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; 15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. 16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
17 Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. 18 When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. 19 But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. 20 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways." (Ezekiel 33:13-20) (KJV).
The Israelites complained that things were not fair, that they were not all getting an equal shake. How unfair that a bad man could repent and be saved! How unfair that a good men could commit abominations and be condemned! They did not like this. I saw some modern translations translate the word "equal" as "just" but the word really does mean equal, I looked it up to confirm it.
This is natural for sinful human nature, to cry about things not being fair. We see this cry often in Scriptures. Like when Paul says the Lord is the potter and can do as he wills with the clay, and people cry out that this is not fair. We see this same complaint at times in the Old Testament such as here or in Jeremiah 18.
But it is a childish cry in most instances. Because really, we do not deserve to be treated equally, what we really deserve is to be treated with equity: in other words that which is just, right and owed to us. As the Lord says, "O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways." In other words, don't complain about what you think you deserve, rather repent from your sins and turn to God, and seek to honour him in your ways, and trust yourself to his justice. Because he judges with equity:
Psalm 98:9 - "Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."
If we got what we truly deserved we would all be in trouble. None of us could stand before him.
The more we focus on equality and what others get and how unfair things are, the more we will be overcome by things like covetousness, greed and envy. But the more we recognize that the Lord will deal with us all with equity, what we deserve, the more this should drive us before him in mercy, and to be thankful for his mercies. Because he dealt with the punishment we deserve in his Son on the cross, and now we can reap the rewards of following him. He gives us the ability to earn rewards through faithful works, not salvation, but rewards.
Complain not about equality, think about equity and what we are owed by God. We are only owed what he in his mercy would offer us, so let us consider our ways before him.
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