"This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other." (Zechariah 7:9,10)
How many times have we read something in the bible saying something about rulers, slaves, kings, queens, and we automatically skip over it, claiming it is no longer applicable to our modern-day lives?
The bible says, in the above Scripture, that we are not to oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. When I hear the word "oppression," I automatically think of a president, or a ruler, or someone in charge. But I fail to remember this:
This day and age, we are ALL kings and queens. We all have the ability and the choice to oppress.
"Here is a trustworthy saying: if we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him." (2 Timothy 2:11,12)
To oppress is to: burden with cruel or unjust impositions (obligations) or restraints.
Are we placing unfair or unreasonable rules and obligations on widows?
To oppress is to: weigh down, to crush, to put down, or to press upon.
Are we putting down those less fortunate than us? In our words and our actions? How about "foreigners" who act, look, smell "weird" to us? And not just racial foreigners, but maybe people who are just different?
Are we "oppressing" our brothers and sisters?
Have we seen our friends or family oppressing the poor, the unfortunate, the heavy-hearted?
Even without meaning to, everyone can be victim to an oppressing spirit.
"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2)
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