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The word "proverb" means parable, which in turn is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. This proverb has both an earthly and heavenly meaning. The earthly meaning points to the fact that we should not oppress the poor. The heavenly or spiritual meaning points to those who are spiritually poor:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3).
To rob and oppress the spiritually poor is to hinder them from the truths of the Bible. Those who bring false gospels bring condemnation upon themselves (James 3:1). Therefore as children of God we must continually strive to bring the gospel in truth. God will use our witnessing of His truth often to reach those whom He saves; the poor who trust in Him by His grace will be delivered from their oppression all in the LORD's good time:
"Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted." (Psalm 12).
"Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?" (Psalm 35:1-10).
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