God’s attitude to oppression

God forbids the oppression of the poor and vulnerable

Zechariah 7:10 NIV

Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

See also Pr 22:22–23

God warns the oppressor

Jeremiah 7:5–7 NIV

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your ancestors for ever and ever.

See also Is 33:14–15

God condemns the oppressor

Ps 72:4; Is 10:1–3

See also Pr 17:5; Is 30:12–13; Eze 22:7; Eze 22:13; Eze 22:31; Am 2:6; Am 5:11; Mic 2:1–3; Na 3:1; Na 3:19; Lk 11:42

God’s concern for the oppressed

Showing mercy to the oppressed

Ps 103:6; Dt 10:18

See also 1 Sa 2:8; Ps 146:7–9

Defending the oppressed

Psalm 72:4 NIV

May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

See also Dt 10:18; Ps 9:9; Ps 10:17–18; Ps 12:5; Ps 68:5; Ps 146:7–9; Je 50:33–34

Delivering the oppressed

Job 5:15 NIV

He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.

See also Ex 3:7–9; Dt 6:21; Ps 35:10; Ps 107:6; Pr 20:22; Is 14:3–4; Is 49:26; Ac 7:34

The oppressed turn to the Lord

In prayer

Psalm 10:12 NIV

Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

See also Jdg 4:3; Jdg 10:9–10; 2 Ch 6:38–39; Ps 42:9; Ps 57:1; Ps 79:11; Ps 82:3–4; Ps 94:1–7; Re 6:10

In trust

Acts 16:25 NIV

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

See also Job 19:25; Ps 42:1–3; Ps 138:7; 2 Co 4:17; 2 Co 6:4–5; 1 Pe 4:19

Christian attitudes towards the oppressed

Showing practical mercy

Matthew 5:7 NIV

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

See also Le 19:10; Dt 24:19–21; Pr 31:8–9; Pr 31:20; Is 58:9–10; Je 22:3; Zec 7:9; Mt 6:3; Mt 25:34–39; Ro 12:13; Php 4:10; Php 4:15; Jas 1:27

Showing concern

Hebrews 13:3 NIV

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

See also Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2; Col 4:18; Phm 10