Topical Bible: The Poor: The Wicked: Crush

◄ The Poor: The Wicked: Crush ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the plight of the poor is a recurring theme, and the actions of the wicked towards them are often highlighted as a significant moral concern. The Bible consistently portrays God as a defender of the poor and condemns those who exploit or oppress them.

Biblical References:

1. Oppression by the Wicked:
The Bible frequently describes the wicked as those who oppress and crush the poor. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist laments the actions of the wicked, saying, "They crush Your people, O LORD; they oppress Your heritage" (Psalm 94:5). This verse underscores the violence and injustice perpetrated by the wicked against the vulnerable.

2. God's Justice:
Scripture assures that God is aware of the plight of the poor and will act in justice against those who oppress them. 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 commitment to defending the poor and executing justice on their behalf.

3. Prophetic Condemnation:
The prophets often spoke out against the societal injustices that led to the suffering of the poor. In Isaiah 3:14-15, the prophet declares, "The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: 'You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses. Why do you crush My people and grind the faces of the poor?' declares the Lord GOD of Hosts" . Here, the leaders are held accountable for their exploitation and are called to repentance.

4. Call to Righteousness:
The Bible calls believers to act justly and to care for the poor, contrasting the behavior of the wicked. In Micah 6:8, it is written, "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 verse serves as a moral directive to avoid the wickedness of oppressing the poor and instead to embody God's justice and mercy.

5. New Testament Perspective:
The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself emphasizing care for the poor. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus teaches, "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me’" . This teaching reinforces the idea that how one treats the poor is a reflection of their relationship with God.

Theological Implications:

The biblical condemnation of the wicked who crush the poor is rooted in the understanding of God's character as just and compassionate. The consistent message across both the Old and New Testaments is that God identifies with the poor and oppressed, and He calls His people to reflect His justice and mercy in their treatment of the vulnerable. The actions of the wicked serve as a stark warning against the misuse of power and wealth, and a reminder of the divine mandate to protect and uplift those in need.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 4:1
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... the present courses, it must be to his poor people that ... them, and none to be at peace
but the wicked, who may thereby get opportunity to crush the godly? ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Peter of Chelcic, 1419-1450.
... obtained the help of the temporal power to crush all who ... a champion of the rights
of the poor, and an ... birth," he said, "is founded on a wicked invention of the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iv peter of chelcic.htm

Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls
... whom he has saved, and we find that he saves the poor, the illiterate, the wicked,
the godless ... With this finger of mine I can crush it"in a moment. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/election no discouragement to seeking.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... that he is poor, rather than wicked, unfortunate, rather ... sets him away back
again,""There, poor thing, sit ... and stern vengeance, just going to crush the poor ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Man.
... Crush sin in the conception, lest it bring forth death ... judge the world: awake; art
yet asleep, poor sinner ... thereof shall be burned up, and then wicked men shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

Micah
... in judgment upon Samaria and Jerusalem, the wicked capitals of wicked kingdoms,
i ... spirit of the wealthy, who do not scruple to crush the poor and defenceless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/micah.htm

The Christian Alone Rich.
... worldly goods, and given them to the poor, finds the ... richer than Cinyras and Midas,
and is wicked," and haughty ... use them skilfully, so as to crush the creature ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the christian alone rich.htm

The Question of Fear and the Answer of Faith
... The poor worldling knows there is a God; but he is ... power, and will by no means acquit
the wicked?" And then ... mighty mountain, tottering to its fall, to crush me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the question of fear and.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... afforded some trifling profit to aid this poor but eminent ... is a great work; enough
to crush the spirit ... Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper?' (Jeremiah ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of the trinity and a.htm

An Earnest Invitation
... mighty to save will be mighty to crush, mighty to ... We will suppose now some poor girl
who has stepped ... drop off one by one, for she becomes incorrigibly wicked. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/an earnest invitation.htm