TOPIC: GOD HATES OPPRESSION
Bible reading: 2 Kings 12-14; John 5:25-47
Memory verse: “The LORD executed righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed” Psalm 103:6 (KJV)
God hates oppression; especially when it affects His people. Oppression is described in the Oxford Dictionary as ‘prolonged, cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority.’ It is also described as ‘mental pressure or distress.’ Nobody likes mental pressure or distress; yet oppressors never really care how the oppressed feel.
That was the situation with the Israelites in Egypt before God came to their rescue. They called on God because of the bondage they were in and He heard them (Exodus 2:23-25). Whenever God sees oppression He expects the oppressors to call on Him because He is meek. When Israel called He sent Moses to come and set them for by His power.
In today’s bible reading, Israel was being oppressed by the king of Syria, Hazel. 2 Kings 13:7 (MSB), “Nothing was left of Jehoahaz’s army after Hazael’s oppression except for fifty calvary, ten chariots, and ten thousand infantry. The king of Aram had decimated the rest, leaving behind him mostly chaff.” Imagine trimming the army of a sovereign state to that size! The bible said that “…Jehohaz besought the LORD, and the LORD hearkened unto him: fro he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them” 2 Kings 13:3 (KJV).
God sent a saviour in the person of Elisha who gave the King of Israel insight into prophetic act needed to set Israel free from the hand of Syria. Elisha instructed Joash the king of Israel to take an arrow, open a window and shoot Eastward. Furthermore, he was again instructed to take the arrows and smite the ground. This he did thrice (2 Kings 13:14-25). That was how Israel got delivered from the oppression of the King of Syria.
Christ came to, among other things, deliver us from oppression. He came to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Luke 4:19). Are you being oppressed in any area of your life? Whether in your family, job, relationship, career, etc. Call on God today and the finished work of Jesus will be manifested in your life. Remember, God saw the oppression in the land of Egypt but until they called He did not show up.
Action Plan: Look around you in all that pertains to you and make sure you are not oppressing or putting anyone under mental pressure in your house, job or church.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu