Topical Bible: The Poor: God: Hears

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The theme of God's attentiveness to the poor is a recurring and significant motif throughout the Bible. Scripture consistently affirms that God is deeply concerned with the plight of the poor and hears their cries for help. This divine attentiveness is rooted in God's character as compassionate, just, and merciful.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's concern for the poor is evident in the laws given to Israel. These laws were designed to protect and provide for the needy, ensuring justice and mercy within the community. For instance, Deuteronomy 15:11 states, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land; therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This command reflects God's desire for His people to mirror His compassion and generosity.

The Psalms frequently highlight God's responsiveness to the cries of the poor. Psalm 34:6 declares, "This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles." Similarly, Psalm 72:12-13 speaks of the ideal king who "will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed."

The prophets also emphasize God's hearing of the poor. Isaiah 41:17 proclaims, "The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them." This assurance underscores God's commitment to responding to the needs of the impoverished.

New Testament Continuation

In the New Testament, Jesus embodies God's concern for the poor. His ministry is marked by compassion and outreach to the marginalized. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor." This mission statement highlights the centrality of the poor in Jesus' ministry.

The early church continued this focus, as seen in the epistles. James 2:5 reminds believers, "Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?" This rhetorical question affirms the special place the poor hold in God's redemptive plan.

God's Character and the Poor

God's attentiveness to the poor is an expression of His unchanging character. He is described as a defender and protector of the vulnerable. Proverbs 22:22-23 warns, "Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them." This passage highlights God's role as an advocate for justice on behalf of the poor.

Throughout Scripture, God's hearing of the poor is not merely passive but is accompanied by action. He is portrayed as a deliverer and savior, actively working to bring about justice and relief for those in need. This divine responsiveness calls God's people to emulate His compassion and justice, ensuring that the cries of the poor are met with tangible acts of love and mercy.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 69:33
For the LORD hears the poor, and despises not his prisoners.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 41:17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Poor Man's Cry, and what came of It
... The poor man says, "I see he is a poor man like myself, and if God hears him, why
should he not hear me?" Does not your brother's salvation cheer you, and make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/a poor mans cry and.htm

Whether Prayer is an Act of the Appetitive Power?
... is like the interpreter of a desire, or in order to show how speedily they are heard,
since no sooner do the poor desire something than God hears them before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether prayer is an act.htm

But Deliver us from Evil. Amen.
... conclude that God hears them, but remain in doubt and say, How should I be so bold
as to boast that God hears my prayer? For I am but a poor sinner, etc. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/but deliver us from evil.htm

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... it. But we cry as well, and whenever we cry God hears, and our troubles are
removed. 18. ... spirit. Are you here tonight, poor weeping Mary? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

Article iii: of Christ.
... this habit is of little importance [is a feeble, paltry, small, poor operation,
that ... namely, truly to fear God to be truly confident that God hears prayer, to ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 2 article iii of.htm

Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. Therefore Take no Thought, Saying ...
... Thy heart's unspoken pain He knows,. Thy secret signs He hears full well,. ... And answereth
willingly the poor man's cry. ... But cling to God, thou shalt not fall; ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/fifteenth sunday after trinity therefore.htm

Prayer and Humility
... God hears his words only to condemn him ... formal lips of prayer"a death-curse from
God is on ... of his sins and his inward sinfulness, realising how poor in spirit ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

Are You Mocked?
... You notice the text says, "the counsel of the poor," for the Christian, when he
becomes a ... There are some of us who are as sure that God hears our prayers as we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/are you mocked.htm

The Way to God
... kneelest till thy knees are stiff with prayer: God hears thee not ... penance, in order
that they may so come to God. ... to my disgust and horror, I saw poor women on ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the way to god.htm

How God Gives.
... The third comes the nearest to picturing the God who hears and answers prayer. Our
God has a great heart yearning after His poor prodigal world, and after each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/how god gives.htm