The Poor: The Wicked: Persecute
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The theme of the wicked persecuting the poor is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, highlighting the moral and spiritual corruption of those who oppress the vulnerable. Scripture consistently portrays God as a defender of the poor and condemns those who exploit or persecute them.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 10:2 : "In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise." This verse illustrates the arrogance of the wicked, who actively seek to harm the poor. The psalmist calls for divine justice, asking that the wicked be ensnared by their own malicious plans.

2. Proverbs 14:31 : "Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him." This proverb underscores the spiritual dimension of oppressing the poor, equating it to an affront against God Himself. Conversely, showing kindness to the needy is an act of reverence toward God.

3. Isaiah 3:14-15 : "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 prophet Isaiah conveys God's indictment against the leaders of Israel for their exploitation of the poor, emphasizing the severity of their actions in the eyes of the Lord.

4. Amos 5:11-12 : "Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tax on their grain, though you have built houses of cut stone, you will not live in them; though you have planted pleasant vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great—oppressing the righteous, taking bribes, and depriving the poor of justice at the gates." The prophet Amos condemns the social injustices perpetrated by the wealthy and powerful, warning of divine retribution for their exploitation of the poor.

5. James 2:6 : "But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you and drag you into court?" In the New Testament, James addresses the early Christian community, highlighting the irony and injustice of favoring the rich who are often the very ones oppressing them.

Theological Implications:

The persecution of the poor by the wicked is not merely a social or economic issue but a profound spiritual concern. The Bible consistently presents God as the protector and advocate of the poor, and those who persecute them are seen as opposing God's will. The scriptures call for justice, mercy, and humility, urging believers to align themselves with God's heart for the oppressed.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, the persecution of the poor is a grave sin that reflects a deep-seated disregard for God's commandments. Believers are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8), which includes defending the rights of the poor and standing against their oppressors. The biblical narrative encourages a community that supports and uplifts the vulnerable, reflecting the character of God in their actions and attitudes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 10:2
The wicked in his pride does persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Wicked One
... "The Wicked (One) in his pride doth persecute the poor: the Wicked (One), through
the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God" (Psa.10:2, 4). This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/6 the wicked one.htm

Psalm 10
... when times so troublous are? ^2The wicked in his loftiness. doth persecute the
poor: In these devices they have fram'd. let them be taken sure. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 10.htm

Of the Right of Bishops not to be Accused or Hurt by Detraction.
... which is yet worse) that too in growing measure"that the wicked persecute the good ...
And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thine atonement and blessing may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ii of the right of.htm

Antichrist in the Psalms
... In v.2 we read, "The Wicked in his pride doth persecute (RV hotly pursue') the poor."
The "poor" (referred to in this Psalm seven times " vv.2, 8, 9, 9, 10 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm

The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache
... 2Those who persecute good people ... their backs on the needy, oppress the afflicted,
defend the rich, unjustly condemn the poor, and are thoroughly wicked. ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the teaching of the twelve.htm

To Confirm what Has Been Said Above About Rewards and Punishments. ...
... said not: "Blessed are the rich," but "the poor." By the ... are ye when men shall revile
you, and persecute you, and ... Perhaps thou sayest: Why are the wicked joyous ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvi to confirm what.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... About this time I began to break my mind to those poor people in Bedford ... began to
see something of the vanity and inward wretchedness of my wicked heart; for as ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Pilgrims of the Victorious Life
... She is still poor, though her children have now become self ... For instance, some one
may persecute us ... The spirit of persecution is wicked and God has nothing to do ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter thirteen pilgrims of the.htm

Psalm CXL.
... they are not fierce, are not savage, do not persecute nor oppress ... pray to their Head,
"to be delivered from the wicked man ... And the cause of the poor." These then ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxl.htm

To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... Thus from the wrong done by the wicked Christians who persecute the Bride of Christ,
spring her exaltation, her ... Not mine, poor wretch that I am. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother raimondo of capua 3.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about giving to the poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be poor in spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Poor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Poor

Poor: Atonement Money of, Uniform With That of the Rich People

Poor: Duty To

Poor: God's Care of

Poor: Inexpensive offerings of People Who Have Very Little Money

Poor: Kindness To by Boaz

Poor: Kindness To by Job

Poor: Kindness to Congregations

Poor: Kindness to Congregations of Macedonia and Achaia

Poor: Kindness to Cornelius

Poor: Kindness to Dorcas

Poor: Kindness to Jews

Poor: Kindness to Nebuzaradan

Poor: Kindness to Paul

Poor: Kindness to Prophet's Widow

Poor: Kindness to The Congregation at Antioch (In Syria)

Poor: Kindness to The Good Samaritan

Poor: Kindness to The Temanites

Poor: Kindness to To Ruth

Poor: Kindness to To the Widow of Zarephath

Poor: Kindness to Zacchaeus

Poor: Oppressions of

Poor: Poor in Spirit

Poor: The Widow's Son

Poor: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

The Poor are Such by God's Appointment

The Poor by Mocking, God is Reproached

The Poor by Oppressing, God is Reproached

The Poor: A Care For is a Fruit of Repentance

The Poor: A Care For is Characteristic of Saints

The Poor: A Care For: should be Urged

The Poor: Care For-Illustrated

The Poor: Christ Delivers

The Poor: Christ Lived As One of

The Poor: Christ Preached To

The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Bad Company

The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Drunkenness and Gluttony

The Poor: Condition of, often Results From: Sloth

The Poor: Defend

The Poor: Despise Not

The Poor: do Justice To

The Poor: Gideon

The Poor: Give to Cheerfully

The Poor: Give to Liberally

The Poor: Give to not Grudgingly

The Poor: Give to Pray For

The Poor: Give to Specially If Saints

The Poor: Give To without Ostentation

The Poor: God is the Refuge of

The Poor: God: Delivers

The Poor: God: Despises No the Prayer of

The Poor: God: Exalts

The Poor: God: Forgets Not

The Poor: God: Hears

The Poor: God: Maintains the Right of

The Poor: God: Protects

The Poor: God: Provides For

The Poor: God: Regards Equally With the Rich

The Poor: Guilt of Defrauding

The Poor: Harden not the Heart Against

The Poor: Made by God

The Poor: May Be: Liberal

The Poor: May Be: Rich in Faith

The Poor: May Be: Upright

The Poor: May Be: Wise

The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: A Neglect of Christ

The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: A Proof of Unbelief

The Poor: Neglect Towards Is: Inconsistent With Love to God

The Poor: Offerings of, Acceptable to God

The Poor: Oppress Not

The Poor: Oppression of-Illustrated

The Poor: Prophet's Widow

The Poor: Punishment For: Acting Unjustly Towards

The Poor: Punishment For: Oppressing

The Poor: Punishment For: Refusing to Assist

The Poor: Punishment For: Spoiling

The Poor: Regard For: Boaz

The Poor: Regard For: Church at Antioch

The Poor: Regard For: Churches of Macedonia and Achaia

The Poor: Regard For: Cornelius

The Poor: Regard For: Dorcas

The Poor: Regard For: Job

The Poor: Regard For: Nebuzaradan

The Poor: Regard For: Paul

The Poor: Regard For: Peter and John

The Poor: Regard For: Zacchaeus

The Poor: Rob Not

The Poor: Rule Not, With Vigour

The Poor: Ruth

The Poor: Saints of Old

The Poor: Shall Never Cease out of the Land

The Poor: should Commit Themselves to God

The Poor: should Hope in God

The Poor: should Provided for Under the Law

The Poor: should Rejoice in God

The Poor: should when Converted, Rejoice in Their Exaltation

The Poor: Shut not the Hand Against

The Poor: Take No Usury From

The Poor: The Wicked: Care not For

The Poor: The Wicked: Crush

The Poor: The Wicked: Defraud

The Poor: The Wicked: Despise the Counsel of

The Poor: The Wicked: Devour

The Poor: The Wicked: Grind the Faces of

The Poor: The Wicked: Oppress

The Poor: The Wicked: Persecute

The Poor: The Wicked: Regard not the Cause of

The Poor: The Wicked: Sell

The Poor: The Wicked: Tread Down

The Poor: The Wicked: Vex

The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe are Blessed

The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe are Happy

The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe: Have Promises

The Poor: They Who in Faith, Believe: Have the Favour of God

The Poor: Widow of Zarephath

The Poor: Wrong not in Judgment

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Poor: The Wicked: Oppress
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