OPPRESSING THE POOR

1. God created both the rich and the poor (Prov. 22:2; cf. 29:13). 

2. God makes people rich and poor (1 Sam. 2:7; cf. Deut. 8:17–18). 

3. God does not favor the rich above the poor (Job 34:19). velo' nikkar-sho' lipne-dal 'nor recognize 
the rich before the poor' refers to the order God sees people who are waiting to approach His throne. 

4. Mocking and oppressing the poor reproaches God (Prov. 14:31; 17:5). haraph means "reproach,— 
prop. say sharp things against,—taunt" (BDB). 

5. Oppression is to 

a. seize their flocks (Job 24:2), food (Job 24:10; Prov. 13:23), and houses (Job 20:19). 

b. take their livestock for security (Job 24:3). 

c. withhold their wages (Jer. 22:13). 

d. cheat them with false weights and measures (Amos 8:4–6) 

e. push them around (Job 24:4). 

f. rob (Prov. 22:22–23; Isa. 3:14) and murder them (Job 24:14). 

g. remove landmarks (Job 24:2) and appropriate their lands (Isa 5:8). 

h. impose heavy rent on those driven from their homes or forced to become tenants (Amos 5:11). 

i. sell debtors into slavery for debts as small as the price of a pair of sandals (Amos 2:6–7). 

j. deny them justice in the courts (Prov. 22:22–23; Isa. 1:23; 10:1–3; Amos 5:12). 

6. If you don't help the poor, you will receive many curses (Prov. 28:27) and no help (21:13). 

7. Oppressors of the poor will become poor (Prov. 22:16). 

8. Oppressing the poor will cost you your life (Prov. 22:22–23; Ezek. 18:10–13). 

9. God will judge those who oppress the poor (Isa. 3:13–15). 

a. God is angry and will destroy the nation (Ezek. 22:23–31). 

b. They will become captives or be killed when the nation falls (Isa. 10:1–4). 

c. Women who oppress the poor will also become captives (Amos 4:1–3). 

d. They will lose everything—their beautiful homes and vineyards (Amos 5:11–12). 

e. They will be hungry but will receive no food or mercy from God (Luke 1:53).