DON'T OPPRESS THE POOR
"A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food." (Proverbs 28:3)
Anyone who oppress the poor reproach the Almighty God that creates the poor but those that honor Him has mercy on the poor (Proverbs 14:31). It is a grievous sin to harass and oppress the poor because he is in this lowly condition, and this virtually arraign the providence of God, who is the Father of all, and has made all men in different capacity in this world.
God loves the poor and will never forget them (Psalm 9:18), He hears them when they call unto Him and save them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:6); and protect them from those who malign them (Psalm 12:5). He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the LORD’s, and he has set the world in order.(1 Samuel 2:8). God really care for the poor despite their conditions.
"Whoever mocks and hate the poor insults his Maker (Proverbs 17:5) ; and it is more insulting to hate those that God loves, especially when the oppressor is another poor man who oppresses a fellow poor brother. As the imbecility of the oppressed poor man can give him no help, so the necessity of the oppressing poor man will show him no mercy. Nothing hardens the heart of a man than his own want, and he has little feeling of other people's misery.
It is being described as a "DASHING RAIN" when the rich man oppresses the poor; when the great man oppresses the poor , it is called a "THUNDERING RAIN" rain, but it is a "SWEEPING RAIN" when the poor oppresses the poorer man. Those who never knew poverty and those who live in abject poverty have the least or no pity for the poor man. "Anyone that has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.(Proverbs 19:17)
There is a refreshing and fattening rain, which the lord sends upon the thirsty Earth, which produce abundant food for mankind. There is also a sweeping rain that takes away food and destroys the fruits of the Earth. That is the kind of rain when the poor oppresses the poorer man.
When someone poor takes over and mistreats the poor, it's like a heavy rain destroying the crops.
Don't rob the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.(Proverbs 22:22-23)
"Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.(Proverbs 28:27)
(Outline from JOSEPH CARYL'S EXPOSITION ON THE BOOK OF JOB)
James Dina
jodina5@gmail.com
16th November 2020