9. How have the rich defrauded the laborers?
“Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.” Verse 4.
10. Seeking a fair remuneration, what do many laborers do?
Form labor-unions, engage in strikes, boycotts, etc.
Note.—While these means may hold matters in check for a time, and afford temporary relief, they cannot eradicate the evil, and bring about a final solution. The evil is deep-seated; it lies in the heart; and nothing but conversion—a change of the heart and of the affections—can eradicate it. It is the sin of selfishness, or covetousness,—a failure to love one's neighbor as oneself. The conflict between capital and labor is an inevitable and an irrepressible conflict as long as sin and selfishness are in the world. And near the end it becomes the most acute and intense, because then sin comes to the full.
11. Do the Scriptures indicate that there will be violence manifested in this conflict?
“Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?” Hab. 2:6, 7.
12. Would God have His people unite in these combinations?
“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Isa. 8:12.
13. Whom should we fear and dread?