God announces judgment on the land due in part to the ways that those with wealth and power have expanded their property portfolios. Isaiah indicates that property expansion results in a breakdown in personal and community social structures by taking “place” away from others.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you see people today “adding house to house and joining field to field”?
- Why do you think people aspire to purchase time-shares, vacation condos, winter homes in Florida, summer homes in Michigan, downtown weekend condos, etc?
- Do you own extra property? How could you use it to “give place” to others?
Tongue on Fire 
Around Lancaster, outside of the city, I see it more with developers buying land for yet another shopping center, right across the road from an existing shopping center. I wonder how many places of commerce we need.
One initiative I admire is what Shane Claiborne is doing in north Philadelphia. Their ministry buys foreclosed homes cheaply and works with locals to fix them up and then sells them at an affordable price. I love the redemptive story of that process. They are transforming their neighborhoods one house at a time. It’s a slow process, but faster is rarely better anyway.
LikeLike
Who in Lancaster decides how land is going to be used and/or re-purposed? There is usually a zoning board that determines use and has to approve any changes. I’ve been to Lancaster, and you’re right–how many more places of commerce are needed?!
LikeLike