Oppression leads to the exploitation of the weak and vulnerable by the strong.
The victims
The weak
Psalm 12:5 See also Psalm 10:2; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Ezekiel 34:4
“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”
The poor
Proverbs 22:22–23 See also Exodus 23:6; Deuteronomy 15:7; Proverbs 22:7, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 28:27; Ezekiel 22:29; Amos 2:6–7, Amos 5:11–12, Amos 8:4, Amos 8:6; Zechariah 7:10; James 2:6
Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them.
Widows and orphans
Exodus 22:22 See also Deuteronomy 24:17; Job 24:3, Job 24:9, Job 31:21, Job 31:22; Psalm 94:5–6; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 1:23; Jeremiah 7:6; Zechariah 7:10; Malachi 3:5; Mark 12:40
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan.
The foreigner
Exodus 22:21 See also Genesis 15:13; Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:33–34; Deuteronomy 23:7, Deuteronomy 24:17; Psalm 94:6; Jeremiah 22:3; Ezekiel 22:29; Malachi 3:5
You must not exploit or oppress a foreign resident, for you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
Servants
Deuteronomy 24:14–15 See also Genesis 16:6; Exodus 1:11, Exodus 3:9; Leviticus 19:13; Isaiah 58:3; Malachi 3:5; Acts 7:24; James 5:4
Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Examples of oppression
Genesis 16:6 Sarah oppresses Hagar; Genesis 31:39 Laban oppresses Jacob; Exodus 1:8–22 the Egyptians oppress Israel; Isaiah 52:4 the Assyrians oppress Israel
The oppressors' motives
Greed
Jeremiah 5:27–28 See also Proverbs 31:5; Ecclesiastes 5:8–9; Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 10:2; Jeremiah 22:17; Amos 4:1
Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.
Lust for power
Exodus 1:10 See also 2 Chronicles 10:14, 2 Chronicles 16:10; Proverbs 28:15
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
God's attitude to the oppressor
Exodus 22:22–24 See also Deuteronomy 27:19; Proverbs 21:13; Isaiah 14:5–6; Jeremiah 6:6, Jeremiah 22:3–5; Amos 1:3, Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 1:11, Amos 2:1; Zephaniah 3:1; Luke 20:47
You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children will be fatherless.
The experience of oppression
It brings grief and crying to God
Psalm 42:9 See also Exodus 3:7; Judges 2:18; Psalm 43:2, Psalm 137:1; Ecclesiastes 4:1
I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?”
The example of Jesus Christ
Isaiah 53:7 See also Matthew 27:27–31 parallel Mark 15:16–20; Acts 8:32–35
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.
Following Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:21 See also John 16:33; Acts 14:22–23; 1 Thessalonians 3:2–4; 2 Timothy 2:3, 2 Timothy 3:12
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.