Aid money could go to defence. That's a headline on BBC News Online. Now I can think of a number of moral arguments which demonstrate the ethical minefield (excuse the inappropriate metaphor) the Prime Minister proposes to walk across. And I could quote a few sayings of the OT prophets who had a thing or two to say about the collision of military hardware and works of mercy, or the hubris of the powerful protecting the interests of economics at the cost of humane politics.
But it's late. And this is just a wee blog with a few hundred readers. So I guess there's little point in going into either a long reasoned argument or and even longer gratifying rant. So I'll content myself with the words of Isaiah 58. Perchance these could be offered as some questions for Prime Ministers Question Time...
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The Lord will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
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