September 11, 2008 - Acts 7:19

“’He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our forefathers by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.’” Acts 7:19.
In Stephen’s discourse to the religious authorities, he is telling the story of the birth of Moses, who rose to prominence in the midst of the treacherous dealings of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Pharaoh kept the Hebrew slaves oppressed by treating them with vicious cruelty. One method he used to oppress them was to capture the Hebrew newborns and kill them. Moses, as a baby, was hid during this time and eventually, through God’s protection and providence, was brought up, ironically, in Pharaoh’s own household. The oppressor became the one who cared for the one person who would, in their future, deliver the slaves.
Stephen spoke in terms of oppression to this audience because of the iron-fisted rule of Rome that all of them experienced. In a more subtle manner, Stephen could have been referring to the oppression that these rulers held over all Jewish people. In this short statement, Stephen refers to one of Jesus’ main purposes. In Luke’s gospel (4:18-19), Jesus quotes Isaiah by stating that He had come “to set the oppressed free.” Whether it is systemic, personal, or somewhere in between, oppression is evil and those under its grip need to be set free.
On a personal level, I reflect on how I treat people. I realize that there are times when I do not “act justly” (Micah 6:8) to those around me, whether I have a need to control a situation or, in some manner, just get my way. It is when I dominate someone else and not treat them with kindness and compassion that I get myself in trouble and treat others cruelly. This is an example of when I am guilty of personal oppression.
Questions to consider: What systemic oppressions are you aware of in our world? What personal oppressions are you aware of in your personal world? Have you ever been oppressed? Have you ever oppressed anyone?
Prayer: Father, give me eyes to see the oppression that is around me and a heart to do something about it. Give me a sense of justice and compassion so that I might love You and love my neighbor, whoever that may be. Amen.