Focus: Proverbs 3:31 - KJV
31. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Proverbs 3:27-35
There is need for us to be wise in our relationships. There is no basis for envying anyone, believing the same to be enjoying and lacking pain of any kind, particularly when he is operating as an oppressor over others, or just another. When we are the ones feeling the brunt of oppression, we are likely to write a script seeing things from our own purview alone. If we look critically, we would likely discover that the oppressor himself has lost sleep having realized the ills of his action. Since he is not so responsible enough to seek us out with an apology, living perhaps in the euphoria of superiority, we are not likely to see the pain going on under his skin. It is however, foolhardy to want to be like an oppressor because his ways, which we observe, are ordinarily evil.
Joseph, the son of Jacob, loved his brothers and was therefore eager to go check their wellbeing where they worked, when their father told him to do so. Unfortunately, his oppressive brothers hurt him so badly and lied to their dad that he was dead. Many years down the line, while the poor boy Joseph was likely to have been agonizing on the treatment he got from those he loved, God elevated him for not following the ways of the oppressor. But then, when he came into contact with those who oppressed him, he realized from their conversation that for all those years they also carried the burden of the guilt of what they did to him. This realization caused him to weep knowing of course, that he was not the only one with pain. What a situation! They that were the oppressors too were not free from pain. So, if we keep envying them without knowing what they go through, what is the purpose?
Beloved, the Lord needs you to understand that because you are not omniscient, you do not know the state of mind of the oppressor. Hence, wisdom dictates that you do not emulate him even though he appears to be affluent or surrounded by some seeming opulence. Choose always to do the will of God and please do not withhold your hand from doing good to anyone that you can afford to do it to irrespective of their persons. Just like David provided for his oppressive brothers, please never cease your hand from doing good. Nonetheless, in all you do, abstain from oppressing others for it is a position ladened with curses.
SOLUTION: Be wise – do not seek to put yourself in the position of the oppressor; you are not the only one suffering the pain of the oppression meted at you. Let not the oppression of the oppressor preclude you from doing good, even to the oppressor, where the need arises. Then are you like your father in heaven.
Please pray: Dear Lord, thank you for always succoring me whenever my mind goes through pain for the oppression of the wicked. The grace to do good always and never engage in wickedness or envy the oppressor, please release unto me abundantly, in Jesus’ name. Do touch every oppressive heart, and bring them to reconciliation mode so that they may also come out of pain in Jesus’ name.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
Comments