Do not rob a poor person because he is poor, nor crush the needy at the gate, for ADONAI [the LORD] will plead their case, and rob life from those who plunder them. Proverbs 22:22-23, TLV

The Oppressed and the Oppressor…     I remember that crushing feeling of fear. The fear that at some point I would run into that bully alone and vulnerable. He would corner me again but next time, do worse to me than before. I was in seventh grade, he was in eighth, but he may as well have been Goliath because his six-foot frame towered over my puny five feet.

For months, I lived in fear. Finally, I told my parents. My father’s first reaction was to drive over to the boy’s house and do him bodily harm. Fortunately, my mother called the kid’s mother, and I never had a problem with him again.

Anyone Can be an Oppressor

Not all oppressors are hulking bullies. An oppressor is someone who intimidates or takes out their emotions on someone who can’t or won’t fight back—because they can. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes. It happens every day.

How? By treating the cashier disrespectfully because we’re in a bad mood or they’re too slow. Ignoring someone who drops their groceries in the parking lot. You know, those unkind actions we think no one sees. That no one will hold us accountable for our bad behavior.

Examining our own hearts to make sure we aren’t guilty of marginalizing others because they can’t fight back is important. We may think we’re getting away with our deeds, but our Heavenly Father has promised if the oppressor doesn’t repent and change their ways, He will take matters into His own hands. He will “drive over” to their house and take care of business. When He does is His timing — not ours.

Oppressors and bullies are all around us. There may even be folks that are oppressing us — or worse, someone we love, like our children. Our inclination may be to “drive over” to their house and take care of business, but is that what the LORD would have us do? Asking Him where we begin is important. Perhaps it begins with “telling their mother.”

Redemption

And remember, our Father longs for the salvation of all, even oppressors and bullies. What if He had given up on Paul? Like my mom when she called the young man’s mother to report his behavior, her hope was that the boy would have a change of heart. He did. Otherwise, my dad would have driven over.

Think More About It

For many years, I had been disappointed that my mother kept my father from taking matters into his own hands. But my mother thought like a mother who wanted to see redemption come to the young man. A real change in his heart.

Have you ever taken matters into your own hands for retribution? Was there a time when you opted for mercy?

Until tomorrow, may the oppressed and oppressor know their Redeemer, my friends.

Right now, several terrorist groups have converged on Israel—oppressors and bullies who have tortured and taken the lives of men, women, and children. Not only Israel, but innocents in Gaza who don’t want a violent regime over them. Can we pray that these oppressors be redeemed? It’s a difficult thing to even think about, isn’t it? Then let’s pray for wisdom. We can do that. Shabbat Shalom and God bless you!