Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to save many people alive, as is happening today. Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.“
(Genesis 50:19-21)

“Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.“
(Exodus 1:11)

“All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. For they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. ”
(Matthew 23:3-4)

Joseph’s brothers were terrified that they were about to be oppressed for what they did to Joseph all those years ago. Even though Joseph had said that he forgave them. Even though they had lived for seventeen years in a generous relationship with him. He had forgiven them, but they had not forgiven themselves. They EXPECTED oppression because of their shame. What they lost was the freedom of a truly loving relationship with their brother.

When a different Pharaoh came to power, one who had not personally known Joseph or seen his stewardship of the kingdom and was of a different dynastic line from the previous Pharaohs, he didn’t like the threat of the Israelites. They were numerous and could side with an enemy attacking Egypt. They might leave – taking with them their herds and the prosperity that followed them. So out of fear, he oppressed them. What he lost was an interactive and supportive relationship with people who had been happy to be saved from starvation and given prosperous land.

Jesus spoke critically of specific Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. These were not ALL of the religious leaders. But they WERE religious leaders. They were also influential. At no point did Jesus reveal the character all of them. The ones whose character He revealed were the ones who out of PRIDE oppressed their fellow Jews. They added hard to follow rules. They robbed them of their freedom. And they did it so that they could keep the outward forms and be praised for their keeping of them. Inwardly, they were as bad as anyone else. Worse, because they both knew better and they were teachers. Hypocrites. What they lost was the joy of the Lord and the reward for teachers who taught truth, guiding their fellow Jews to a deeper and more significant relationship with God.

Summary

Oppression always robs. It is never a true solution to anything. First, it injures the oppressed. But second, it always robs the oppressor of what they could have had. It is a double-edged sword that doesn’t bring justice, truth, or mercy. It brings loss and pain. Jesus called out oppressors to give them the opportunity to repent. He called them out so that others would not join them in their oppression. Jesus ALWAYS calls out the lost to give them the opportunity to choose salvation and so that others do not join them in being lost. We are all to call to the lost and try our hardest not to add to their number. To live in abundant life and the freedom that brings, not to oppress and live in a cycle of loss.