The Vanity of Oppression
Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to avoid a fatalistic view of life under the sun, when facing oppression.
Sermon Proposition: There are 3 fatalistic views of life under oppression, under the sun.
I. The earth bound person will view death more appealing than oppression. V.1
A. Research the principle of sanctified driven oppression. (Judges 4:2-3; 6:1-6; 10:6-14; 13:1; Job 36:15)
Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for calamity, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them. They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the LORD; they did not do so. 18 And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them. 19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.
Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and He sold them into the hand of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia; and the children of Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim eight years.
B. Research the principle of sin driven oppression. (Ex. 1:8-22)
John 11:48 "If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation."
C. Research the principle of satanic driven oppression.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Job 2:4 So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 "But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" 6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life." 7 So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.
1. Believers should resist.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
2. Believers should be armed against (Eph. 6:11-16)
3. Believers should be watchful against
2 Corinthians 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
II. The earth bound person will view the dead as better off than the living oppressed. V.2
A. Realize who is the pioneer of life.
Acts 17:28 "for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'
Job 12:10 In whose hand is the life of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind?
Psalm 66:9 Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
C. Realize who is the power of life.
Exodus 20:13 " You shall not murder.
Isaiah 38:2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, 3 and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying, 5 "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.
III. The earth bound person will view the unborn as better off than the living and dead oppressed. V.3
A. Rely on the proper focus of life.
Deuteronomy 30:20 "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
B. Rely on the proper faith of life.
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
C. Rely on the proper fundamentals of life. (Job 3:11-19)
1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.