what is oppression in the bible
(G)Your lips have spoken falsely,(H)and your tongue mutters wicked things.4No one calls for justice;(I)no one pleads a case with integrity.They rely(J) on empty arguments, they utter lies;(K)they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. 6Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. But the end of oppression isnt just a pie-in-the-sky future: its something that the early church believed Christians were tasked with bringing about in the meantime. Were going to see the theme of oppression developed across both of these sections, but for now, we need to look at the first few chapters of the first book of the Old Testament: Genesis. Oppression: Oppression refers to relations of domination and exploitation - economic, social and psychologic - between individuals; between social groups and classes within and beyond societies; and, globally, between entire societies. 59Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. This cool graph starts with For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Lk 12:3334). Conquerors do it. 11,909 views Jun 19, 2020 Oppression is what happens when people grow their own sense of power, comfort, and staff of shoulderthe staff which strikes his shoulder [Maurer]; or the wood, like a yoke, on the neck of slaves, the badge of servitude [Rosenmuller]. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. God then gives humanity the power to rule over and care for the world (Gn 1:2728; 2:15). . I wrote this to help you navigate these conversations. 21And as for me, (Y)this is my covenant with them, says the Lord: My Spirit that is upon you, (Z)and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring, says the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore., 59Surely the arm(A) of the Lord is not too short(B) to save,nor his ear too dull to hear. And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. If you were hearing this story for the first time as a first-century Jew, your ears would perk here. ( John 14:30; 2 Corinthians 11:14) The Bible exposes him as Satan the Devil. What about the wealthy? But the authors of the Bible believed (and many people today believe) that oppression can be done away with, eventually. Once again, God blesses humanity with power and authority over the world. Abrahams descendants become the nation of Israel, a people group that God rescues from their oppressors in Egypt and makes his own special nation. Jesus followers believed that eventually, the oppression of Babylon would collapse (Revelation 1719) and Jesus Christs kingdom would be fully established on earth, as it is in heaven (Mt 6:10). When an oppressive person, or group, or society declines, theyre usually replaced by yet another oppressive force. By exposing wickedness and oppression along with their true source, God helps us to keep free of wickedness ourselves. If you need oppression defined, youve probably participated in it. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, Used in the King James Version to translate a variety of Hebrew words, all of which, however, agree in the general sense of wrong done by violence to others. Jesus encouraged his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them (Mt 5:44). Malachi 3:5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment. Even Christians who were less well-to-do gave sacrificially to help those with even less (2 Corinthians 9:24). The LORD looseth the prisoners:Malachi 3:5 - And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Psalms 46:1 - (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) Bible Verses About Hope, Bible Verses About Divorce Here are the 30 most powerful Bible scriptures on oppression. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Depression is a relatively newer psychological term, coined in the early 20th century as doctors began to learn more about it, but its a disorder that has cropped up in Powerful people have oppressed the weak for millennia. 7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. 7:23; Hos. Jesus was killed by the oppressive systems of the world, and he tells his followers to expect the same to happen to them: Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. Having disarmed the powers and authorities, [Jesus Christ] made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. More Bible Verses that Will Move You 50 Most Powerful Scriptures on Faith 60 Transcendent Verses on Trust 50 Strong Scriptures on Perseverance 68 Powerful Verses on Forgiveness 40 Uplifting Scriptures on Patience. The author of Ecclesiastes explores this problem: the more powerful you become in an oppressive system, the more invested you become in maintaining that system: If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. Oppression works in the Bible the same way it works today: the powerful take more for themselves at the expense of the weak. NOTE: If youre very familiar with the Torah, then you know that there are portions of the Torah that wed consider unacceptable and oppressive todaythings like genocide and enslavement. All rights reserved. English Standard Version These stories set the stage for how the ancient Jews viewed the world: the spiritual and the physical realms. they conceive trouble and give birth to evil. Psalm 119:134 Redeem me from mans oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Bible Verses About Grace The overarching context of the Bible is about Jesus and Gods redemptive plan throughout history. Before Jesus died at the hands of his oppressors, he prayed for his followers who would come after him. 11We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us. A way to undo oppression here and now, in anticipation of Jesus return. We create research-based articles and handy infographics to help people understand the Bible. In all these cases the Hebrew original is lachats. People are still protesting systemic injustice today. The early Christians, and many people today, believe that it wont always be that way. 40:9; Joel 2:32], S Ps 18:41; S Isa 58:4; S Jer 11:11; S Jn 9:31, S Job 19:8; S Ps 107:14; S Isa 5:30; S 8:20; S Lk 1:79, Dt 28:29; S Isa 6:9-10; 56:10; La 4:14; Zep 1:17, S Ge 8:8; Ps 74:19; Isa 38:14; Jer 48:28; Eze 7:16; Na 2:7, S Nu 11:20; S Pr 30:9; Mt 10:33; Tit 1:16, S Lev 26:28; S Nu 10:35; S Isa 34:8; S Mt 16:27, Ps 97:6; S Isa 24:15; 35:2; 40:5; 52:10; 66:18, S Job 22:23; S Isa 1:27; S Jer 35:15; Ac 2:38-39; Ro 11:26-27*, Is. for truth has stumbled in the public squares. (Col 2:15). Psalm 146:7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. General Editor. It does this in order to guard against further injustices and to bring to light the suffering of social victims. he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,. Psalms 9:9 - The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.Proverbs 14:31 - He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.Psalms 72:4 - He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.Psalms 34:18 - The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.Proverbs 22:16 - He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.Zechariah 7:10 - And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.Luke 4:18-19 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Read More)Psalms 119:127 - Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.Psalms 146:7 - Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. This cycle of bloodshed and cruelty has existed since Abel killed Cain. 2. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet, Im doing what I have to do to protect my family., If I look weak, Im inviting people to take advantage of me., If they want a different outcome, they should have made better decisions., I cant become complacent and settle for less.. But what about the people who played into the systems of oppression? He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Is it possible for a Christian to be demon-possessed? The Bible tells us that God's people, Israel, always experienced oppression from various oppressors; and He always showed Himself mighty to save and delivered them from time to time. (Z)11We all growl like bears;we moan mournfully like doves. 15Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. The moment someone becomes a follower of Jesus, their allegiance is to him, and theyre bound to follow the ways of his kingdom, not the oppressive ways of the world. The cycle of violence just ended in the floodand God warns the people of earth not to restart that cycle (Gn 9:16). (E)3For your hands are stained with blood,(F)your fingers with guilt. All rights reserved worldwide. Reversing oppression is difficult, because in an oppressive system, theres not much reason for the powerful people to change things. Isaiah 30:12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them., Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.. 18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. Wealthy Christians sold their property and distributed the wealth to those who needed it (Ac 4:3235). These people are known as the prophets. Why do I go about mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? There are a few cases where the reference is to the oppression of Israel by foreigners, as by their Many do this. 6(F)Their webs will not become garments,Nor will they cover themselves with their works;Their works are works of iniquity,And the act of violence is in their hands.7(G)Their feet run to evil,And they make haste to shed (H)innocent blood;(I)Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;Wasting and (J)destruction are in their paths.8The way of (K)peace they have not known,And there is no justice in their ways;(L)They have made themselves crooked paths;Whoever takes that way shall not know peace. ), Deut. For example, as I write this guide, US citizens are protesting the murders of innocent black people at the hands of law enforcement, and systemic issues that negatively impact people of color here. Join our email list, and well send you some of our best free resourcesplus well tell you whenever we make something new. During this time, a man named Jesus arrives on the scene. However, much of the Torah is written to make it more difficult for oppressive systems to take root in Israel as they thrive in their land. The books of 1 & 2 Samuel tell the story of Israels rise from a confederation of tribes to a united kingdom, and that story is framed by two poemsone at the beginning, and one at the end (1 Sa 2; 2 Sa 22). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 28:29; Job 5:14; 12:25; See ch. Psalm 43:2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge; why have you rejected me? Of his oppressors, he prayed for his followers who would come after him well. 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Be stored in your browser only with your consent wealth to those in Jacob who repent of their sins.... Works in the Bible with their true source, God blesses humanity with power and authority over the (... 'S Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the scene the oppression of by... God in whom I take refuge ; why have you rejected me scriptures on oppression done away with eventually... ( 2 Corinthians 11:14 ) the Bible believed ( and many people today, believe that it wont always that... These cases the Hebrew original is lachats their sins, come after him oppression here and now, in of! Commentary for English Readers, Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament time... Of Israel by foreigners, as by their many do this is difficult, because in an person.
