8791 oppression, nature of

Oppression leads to the exploitation of the weak and vulnerable by the strong.

The victims

The weak Ps 12:5 See also Ps 10:2; Ecc 4:1; Eze 34:4

The poor Pr 22:22-23 See also Ex 23:6; Dt 15:7; Pr 22:7,16; Pr 28:27; Eze 22:29; Am 2:6-7; Am 5:11-12; Am 8:4,6; Zec 7:10; Jas 2:6

Widows and orphans Ex 22:22 See also Dt 24:17; Job 24:3,9; Job 31:21,22; Ps 94:5-6; Pr 23:10; Isa 1:23; Jer 7:6; Zec 7:10; Mal 3:5; Mk 12:40

The foreigner Ex 22:21 See also Ge 15:13; Ex 23:9; Lev 19:33-34; Dt 23:7; Dt 24:17; Ps 94:6; Jer 22:3; Eze 22:29; Mal 3:5

Servants Dt 24:14-15 See also Ge 16:6; Ex 1:11; Ex 3:9; Lev 19:13; Isa 58:3; Mal 3:5; Ac 7:24; Jas 5:4

Examples of oppression

Ge 16:6 Sarah oppresses Hagar; Ge 31:39 Laban oppresses Jacob; Ex 1:8-22 the Egyptians oppress Israel; Isa 52:4 the Assyrians oppress Israel

The oppressors’motives

Greed Jer 5:27-28 See also Pr 31:5; Ecc 5:8-9; Isa 1:23; Isa 10:2; Jer 22:17; Am 4:1

Lust for power Ex 1:10 See also 2Ch 10:14; 2Ch 16:10; Pr 28:15

God’s attitude to the oppressor

Ex 22:22-24 See also Dt 27:19; Pr 21:13; Isa 14:5-6; Jer 6:6; Jer 22:3-5; Am 1:3,6,9,11; Am 2:1; Zep 3:1; Lk 20:47

The experience of oppression

It brings grief and crying to God Ps 42:9 See also Ex 3:7; Jdg 2:18; Ps 43:2; Ps 137:1; Ecc 4:1

The example of Jesus Christ Isa 53:7 See also Mt 27:27-31 pp Mk 15:16-20; Ac 8:32-35

Following Jesus Christ 1Pe 2:21 See also Jn 16:33; Ac 14:22-23; 1Th 3:2-4; 2Ti 2:3; 2Ti 3:12

See also