Topical Bible: The Poor: The Wicked: Vex

◄ The Poor: The Wicked: Vex ►

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In the biblical context, the relationship between the poor and the wicked is often characterized by oppression and vexation. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into how the wicked treat the poor and the divine perspective on such actions.

Biblical References:

1. Oppression by the Wicked:
The Bible frequently highlights the mistreatment of the poor by the wicked. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist laments the actions of the wicked, stating, "The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking to slay them" (Psalm 37:32). This verse underscores the predatory nature of the wicked, who often target the vulnerable, including the poor.

2. Exploitation and Injustice:
Proverbs provides wisdom on the behavior of the wicked towards the poor. Proverbs 22:16 warns, "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich—both will come to poverty" . This verse highlights the futility and moral bankruptcy of exploiting the poor for personal gain.

3. Divine Displeasure:
The Bible makes it clear that God is displeased with those who vex the poor. In Isaiah 3:14-15, the Lord rebukes the leaders of Israel, saying, "The LORD enters into judgment with the elders and leaders of His people: 'It is you who have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing My people and grinding the faces of the poor?' declares the Lord GOD of Hosts" . This passage illustrates God's concern for justice and His condemnation of those who oppress the poor.

4. Call for Justice:
The prophets often called for justice and righteousness in dealing with the poor. In Micah 6:8, the prophet declares, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . This call to justice includes fair treatment of the poor and vulnerable, contrasting the behavior of the wicked.

5. Protection and Advocacy:
The Bible also emphasizes the responsibility of the righteous to protect and advocate for the poor. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs, "Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy" . This directive serves as a counter to the actions of the wicked, urging believers to stand up for those who are oppressed.

Theological Implications:

The treatment of the poor by the wicked is not merely a social issue but a deeply spiritual one. The Scriptures reveal that God identifies with the poor and takes their oppression personally. The wicked, in their vexation of the poor, not only commit social injustice but also sin against God Himself. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard, one that reflects God's heart for justice, mercy, and compassion towards the poor.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 22:20
As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the middle of the furnace, to blow the fire on it, to melt it; so will I gather you in my anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... On this account he left the wicked in the midst of ... And these folk who are with us,
are poor from the ... reproach us about our calamities are wont to vex our soul. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

Antichrist in the Psalms
... shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His ... In v.2 we read, "The Wicked
in his pride doth persecute (RV hotly pursue') the poor." The "poor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm

Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls
... Let those who can, vex their brains with the task of reconciling ... saved, and we find
that he saves the poor, the illiterate, the wicked, the godless ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/election no discouragement to seeking.htm

The Third Season
... of greatest prosperity: when "we are left a poor and an ... while prosperity and impunity
slay the wicked, even slaying ... has stretched out his hand to vex it; still ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... usury of thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and ... the head from the house of the
wicked, Laying bare ... Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly:) Thou ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... Of which it is written in Psalm 82, "Rid the poor out of the hand of the wicked,
and help ... he clings, these he defends, these he honors, let it vex whom it ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not bear false.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... confessors named by themselves, and thus vex the consciences ... the gospel and to minister
to the poor. ... bull "In Coena Domini." That their wicked perverseness may ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

The Story of Job
... "If one dares to speak, will it vex you? ... saw me bore me witness, For I saved the
poor who cried ... of the stranger, I shattered the jaws of the wicked, And wrested ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of job.htm

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... Is there not an almost infinite ingenuity in wicked men for ... do not find fault with
ropes because poor insane creatures ... so good to me that I cannot vex him." It ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/the doctrines of grace do.htm

The Comer's Conflict with Satan
... lusts, which if they do not distress and vex our bodies ... is deceitful above all things
and desperately wicked, and you cannot be saved." Many a poor soul has ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the comers conflict with satan.htm