We can all desire different things. The desire for something is not necessarily sin, unless that desired object replaces God in our hearts and drive. But what about when there are those who seem to be above the law. They seem to be untouched by the laws the rest are expected to follow. When they are caught by the law, they are given easy and unbelievably light way out, if they face any consequences at all. This is true in every country of this world, and we can give example after example of these people. It seems the laws do not apply to them (Gov. Newsome of CA who said no one could eat in large groups, was caught eating in a large group with no masks, and other things in that discovery.) . We can look at national and international levels and find this same, “rules for thee, not for me.” type situations. Are they oppressors? In some ways, yes, It is a known fact that insider trading happens in congress. If we, who are not elected “representatives”, did this same thing, we would be locked up. We are told we cannot have, cannot go, cannot do. We are limited on our abilities, rights, and yes, freedoms. Those in our government? They go against all they say (the governor of CO said there was a lock down and no travel. Then was caught at the airport going to Texas for vacation).

We could go on and on about this abuse and it is obvious, except our modern journalism runs a screen to protect their favored party and are unwilling to pursue after these things (this is why I would encourage looking at alternative news sites besides the regular main stream media). We are told that we must cut down carbon emission (as an example), but those who are going all in for the Green energy are also buying 5, 6, 7 thousand Sq. Ft homes, giant boats, jets, and cars. The rest of us will "Own nothing and be happy" (as said by Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum and is mostly supported by both sides of our government in the US). They will have. The rest of us, well, have you seen the price of gas, food, bills? There are cases that are going on the court now that I could mention (Hunter Biden’s guilty verdict and others, for example), but I am waiting to see how it plays out. Perhaps we might see real justice, which I am praying for, but I do not want to jump ahead without knowing what is going on.

This is not a political commentary, nor intended as such. That is not my role. I am simply stating what happened as facts. The commentary I will leave to the professionals on the radio and alternative news outlets. However, this feeling we have after reading this may cause us to find ourselves saying, “I wish I had that clout, power, and untouchable feeling to do as I want”. It would be nice...or would it? What I will do and is absolutely what I am called to do is to call attention to the eternal view vs the temporal view of this world. Let us do that. 

As we look at the oppressors life it is filled with greed, drugs, sex, crime, filth, etc. It would cause us, who desire to live as God calls us to live to blush, or should. We should be disgusted. This is powerful when we bring in Psalm 37:1. As Christians, we should not be envious of them, nor should we fear (remember the last devotional about fear?). The ways of the oppressor in Proverbs 3:31 is not to be envied.

Envy can mean to be envious, jealous, or zealous. Do not be jealous of the oppressor. Yes, their position may seem to be secure, safe, and lavish. But is it really? Before we move forward thinking that is the life we should pursue, I would remind us that we are not alone in that thought. Asaph struggled with this. Look at his Psalm.

He recognized God as being good – Paslm 73:1

He struggled within himself because of the evil – Psalm 73:2-9

The struggle because of how the good struggle – Psalm 73:10-14

He purposed to speak, and fight and to try and understand it all – Psalm 73:15-16

What turned his mind? Psalm 73:17. It was when he saw eternity and his vision was in eternity, did he realize the utter depravity and failure of those who were evil, the “oppressors”. It was with this changed vision, Asaph saw:

He saw their own standing in front of God – Psalm 73:18-20

He abhored how he was jealouse of them – Psalm 73:21-22

He knew God was going to guide and direct him – Psalm 73:23-24

His trust is in God, and while his flesh, strength, and heart fail, God never does – Psalm 73:25-26.

Then he gives the different endings of the wicked and those who trust in God – Psalm 73:27-28

Read through and apply this to what we have said before. See any semblence? I do. It is not up to us to judge the wicked. That is God’s job (Psalm 75) but we can judge the fruit and the works and from what we see of the wicked and oppressors, we can be comforted when we are not them. Not only should we not desire their place, power or even life, the book of Proverbs gives us more. We should not even be with them (Proverbs 24:1)! By being with them, we are giving approval of their life and choices. Romans 1:32 tells us that we do not necessarily have to do the evil to be judged, but we can be judged simply by approving, empowering, and supporting the evil that is being done (as I have said before, God does care of our associations, affiliations, and how we do vote).

Why should this be guarded against? Proverbs 3:32 tells us. Those who live this way, notice it says perverse person and this is directly tied to the oppressor, is an abomination. Abomination has the meaning of being detestable or loathsome. To be perverse is to be loathsome to God! Not a good place to be at all. But a Christian who desires to live the life of these “oppressors” they are desiring to be in this position. It is rare that those who live the life of the powerful are not caught in some scandal. Instead, look at this verse. The Lord’s counsel is with those who are upright. This does two things. First, it draws a comparison between the perverse and the upright. Upright being those who are straight, morally straight, upright, innocent. The second thing this does is it brings to mind the power of what we found in Proverbs 1:20-33; Proverbs 2 and Proverbs 3:1-26. All three can be wrapped up here in this concept and we would still have more to drive home! For example, let us look at Psalm 25:14. The covenant of God is with those who fear Him (do we remember Proverbs 1:7?) Do we see the power here in this text of Proverbs 3:32?

Yet the blessing of being upright is not over. In Proverbs 3:33, the wicked will have the curse of the Lord. Do we see this? I think we see bits and pieces of this. Those who are of this life are fearful, angry, miserable, vindictive, lewd, and absolutely devoid of anything morally upright. No wonder they act like they do because they know nothing but evil. But the just? No matter what the oppressor does, or what they say, the home of the just is blessed. It does mean to be blessed, but it can also mean blessing, or bountifully. Yet one sticks out and it is used once as this word. It is found in Psalm 132:15. Do you see the word blessed? It is the word abundantly. I can describe it like this. No matter how much is pressured and we are stretched because of the greed, evil, and wickedness of the oppressor (remember the question about the gas, bills, and food?), God will abundantly bless Zion’s provision. But the abundance of Zion can be the provision for us. Remember what God says about Himself in Psalm 50:10? Sure, we will have to be good stewards of what He gives us, and yes, we may have to make decisions on expenses, but we will never be without (this is not teaching the Prosperity Gospel and the Word of Faith gospel taught by some like Jesse Duplantis and those who run with him and his circles). God will always provide for us as long as we are upright and faithful. Is this important? Absolutely! Look at Leviticus 26:14, 16 and Deuteronomy 11:28. Failure to obey God and do what we should, we will not be under His protection and provision. This includes trying and in some cases successfully living like the oppressor. Do not be envious of them!

We can carry this on even further. Proverbs 3:34. There is not only abomination to the oppressor, but there is also a curse! The word scorn means to mock. He is going to mock and deride them. I encourage a study of Zechariah 5:3-4, but one verse I do wish to point is Proverbs 14:9. Yet there is a contrast here: the humble get grace. Those who are oppressors will be mocked and scorned, even in their failure and fall. But the humble will be lifted up. Look at what is said to Job in Job 8:6. There is truth here, but it was misapplied in Job’s case. Yet, the truth still stands out. For those who are in Christ, there is blessings and peace. Again, in the New Testament, James 4:6 should be something we live and study. Humility is missing in many, if not all of the oppressors. They are proud of themselves, their power, their position, and they will destroy anyone who tries to remove them, or interrupt them. They can destroy the body. They will never touch the soul. I am reminded of Matthew 10:28, and how our fear should be, not on the empty fire breathers of this earth, but instead on Him who created all things!

So what do we do with this? Has our view changed? Yes, the temporary position MIGHT be nice, but is the temporary worth the eternal? Jim Elliot once said,

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose.

What are we trying to hold to, or look to? The power of this world? It is truly the humble that is given the power, not because they grab and take it themselves, but instead it is through God they have this power (1 Peter 5:5). But now we go back to our original question. Are we envious of the “oppressors” of this world? I would submit their position is destruction at best. As the verse used in Jonathan Edwards’ famous and powerful sermon – Deuteronomy 32:35, their feet will slide in due time. It will slip. They will fall and fail. While they may seem to hold the power now, they do not hold any power that God has not allowed them to have. It is the believer, who is found in Christ, who while may not having the “position” of the oppressor, they should not be envious of them.

Instead, how about we change the focus. Perhaps we should consider it is the oppressor who should be envious, and desirous to live like the humble believer!