I must admit that until I studied deeply about the word oppression, I used to think it meant the same as depression. For most, oppression leads to having depression. All that studying and reading some of my old books caused this blog to be over a week late. Forgive me. Ha! Ha! Let’s get to it!
Oppression– n- unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power; being pushed or pressed down by society
Origin of Oppress: 1300-50; Middle English oppressen < Middle French oppresser < Medieval Latin oppressāre, derivative of Latin oppressus past participle of opprimere to squeeze, suffocate, equivalent to op- op- + -primere (combining form of premere) to press |
Lust-n- pleasure, delight: personal inclination; intense desire or need; a passionate or overmastering desire or craving
Spirit Food for Thought– For instance, I learned that oppression is a civil liberties issue. What are civil liberties? They are the rights guaranteed to citizens or residents of a country or territory as a matter of fundamental law. Rights that a government is contractually obligated to protect. Most of us are aware that there is a slight difference between civil liberties and human rights.
Human rights are universal rights to which all humans are entitled, regardless of where they live. Rights that are implied by one’s status as a person, whether the government has agreed to protect them or not.
Let’s go deeper… if a human being lives under a bridge, in a homeless shelter, in prison, on deaths’ bed, unemployed, suffers from mental issues, or have disabilities-all human beings are entitled to human rights. People that live in their comfy homes, castles & mansions, employed, owners of a business, and those that practice various religions and sexual preferences, also have human rights. It is clear that ALL children, men, and women have human rights. However civil liberties seem to be an iffy situation. even when most consider it to be “natural liberty itself.” That’s deep. 
When Solomon wrote about oppression in this chapter I noticed that he does not label oppression as being “meaningless.” He does not state that he is oppressed, but does state that he “saw .” Hmm?
“I saw the tears of the oppressed— and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors— and they have no comforter.”
Through the eyes of many, there has never been a truer statement made about the human life… ONE exception. We have a Comforter which is the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26 & John 15:26) Praise and thank Jesus for sending Him our way.
Solomon did not know there was a comforter according to John 7:39 – (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
I have three questions for you to ponder:
- What rights did God give to the human race?
- Are you an oppressor?
- Are you the oppressed?
I want to share with you a good read titled Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire. I think that it is most used by teachers and students. It can be found at your local library, bookstore, or online. I read it in 1980’s as a sociology requirement and pulled it out to read again with this study. In the book, Paulo said “the teacher confuses the authority of knowledge with his or her own professional authority, which she and he sets in opposition to the freedom of the students; the teacher is the Subject of the learning process, while the pupils are mere objects.”
Isn’t this the way that most who are in authority think? Many governments run in this way which leaves many in an oppressed state. The government rulers are the subjects and we are the objects. This is one reason as voters that we should all study and shew thyself approved before casting our votes… but mainly “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth through learning.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
The state of the matter is that oppression is an issue with a big I and an issue for those less knowledgeable about humanity’s history. What was Solomon’s I ? Read Deut. 17:16-20. Because he broke these commands that God had given for kings, he became an oppressor. His skedaddle over to uncontrollable lusts set in motion the oppression of Israel while under his rule. Solomon’s oppressive actions caused the Kingdom of Israel to divide from Judah after his death. His rules were still in place during his son Rehoboam’s rule, and God’s people wanted change. God warned Solomon not to oppress His people when Solomon prayed to Him, did He not? (I Kings 9:4-9) It’s there in the Word.
Read 1 Kings 11-12; 1 Chronicles 1-10(Tribal Genealogy to understanding the division between Israel and Judah…you’ll know who went where); 1 Chronicles 22; 1 Chronicles 28:4-10
Oh my Lord! –1 Kings 11: 9-13– The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”
AND
1 Kings 12:1-4-Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from[a] Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” Reho did not lighten the yoke and division came as God said it would.
The same stuff happens today when a new person is elected or re-elected to run their country. People try to get something to change during the changing of the guards, ask for it- denied, or fight for it- still denied and whoop there it is…same ol same ol “heavy yoke”…oppression and division continue to run its course within the human race. Who dat say “there is nothing new under the sun?” 
We have all experienced uncontrolled lust in some form. We have been both the oppressed and the oppressor. That is why it is necessary for us as children of God; we are to be on our best heart behavior with all. Someone said “check yourself before you wreck yourself.” I’ve had to do it quite often.
Now we come to my last thought about lust. It is my humble opinion that uncontrolled lust period is the main reason that oppression exist. Wouldn’t you like to go inside my mind to see what those loose-spirited screws look like? 😛 I’ll keep it simple – Most of us have a very intense desire or need to rule over and/or micro-manage others while at the same time oppressing them. It is definitely an I issue. (TYHS)
For more comfort against the beast of oppression read Matthew 6. (TYHS) Be very attentive to verses 33-34 and yell B-I-N-G-O! The Lord, our God does not like for His people to be oppressed. Remember what happened to Pharaoh when he oppressed God’s people?
Biblical Thoughts 