By Because of the existence and abundance of sin, this world is scarred and disfigured by horrific acts of the powerful against the helpless. Be it large-scale war among nations destroying their own citizens, or intimate disembodiment of a baby in the mother’s womb, we mourn the oppression of the helpless.
It is no surprise then to find in the Scriptures words of wisdom for times of oppression. Almost the entire Bible is about life between the exit from the Garden of Eden of Genesis and our entrance into the eternal Kingdom of Revelation.
Of all the writings God revealed to us, it is the book of Ecclesiastes that is the most frank about the depressing affairs of this world. It is no surprise to find oppression of the helpless among its pages
Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 4:1-3
We mourn the same, do we not, when we hear of those suffering under the hands of military anarchy, careless abortions, financial abuse, political corruption, and the like. Certainly, we think, it is better to have died already than to experience, or even witness, oppression. Or, even better, as those verses also acknowledge, to never have been born – never even to have existed – than to witness or experience brutal oppression.
But Ecclesiastes is not just a public platform for a personal rant; being the Word of God, it offers wisdom before we partake of foolish responses. Later again Ecclesiastes brings up the reality of oppression.
If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
When you mourn the countless oppressions of the helpless in our times, before you ever open your mouth, sign a petition, or post to social media, first take a stand on sound theology. Place your feet firmly in the truth about sin – do not be amazed at the matter; we are horrified, shocked, and mourning, but not surprised; the greatest problem of the oppressor is his heart more than his deed. Secondly, place your feet firmly in the truth about the supreme Judge and Final Judgment. God will, praise Him, avenge every act of oppression and He will stand up for each helpless victim.
Pray for the helpless; stand up for the oppressed; mourn the effects of sin, and in all this, stand firm in your faith knowing that the Most High will not let any sin go unpunished. Some sins He will punish with earthly and eternal consequences; other sins He will lay on His Beloved Son so even the vilest of oppressors can be saved; but rest assured, the Most High is watching and will not show partiality.