Oppression’s Impact on Identity and Behavior

Jun 7, 2024

Lecture on Oppression and its Effects

Introduction

  • Topic: Oppression’s impact on behavior - “Oppression has made us lazy.”
  • Key Biblical References: Daniel 9:7:
    • Main Idea: Due to oppression and sin, our people are confused and have lost their identity, mistaking themselves for other nations.

Understanding the Concept of ‘Confusion of Faces’

Daniel 9:7

  • Verse: Righteousness belongs to God; confusion of faces belongs to us due to our sins.
  • Impact: Our nationalities were changed as we went into captivity. Now, we are confused about our identity.

Deuteronomy 28:37

  • Verse: “Become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations.”
  • Explanation: Indicates our names and nationalities would be altered. Further evidence of identity confusion.
  • Glenn Beck Clip: Illustrates societal confusion around Black identity (Black, African-American, Negro) and the mockery thereof.
  • Summary: Identity confusion and external mockery reflect prophetic fulfillment.

Isaiah 1:3

  • Verse: “The ox knows its owner...but Israel does not know.”
  • Comparison: Our unawareness of identity is likened to being dumber than domesticated animals.

Hosea 4:1

  • Explanation: No truth, mercy, or knowledge of God in the land. Emphasizes moral and spiritual decay.
  • Specific Sins Listed: Swearing, lying, killing, stealing, committing adultery.

Historical and Modern Examples

Sidney Poitier Clip from “Pressure Point” (1962)

  • Main Ideas: Sociopolitical frustrations and the systemic barriers experienced by Black individuals.
  • Relevant Modern Example: Racism in schools (Agora High incident) demonstrates continued societal oppression.

The Young Lords Movement (1969)

  • Focus: Puerto Rican nationalist activities, anti-capitalism, anti-racism, addressing sexism and homophobia.
  • Challenges: Balancing revolutionary zeal with internal issues like sexism and homophobia.
  • Modern Implications: Ongoing battle against multiple forms of oppression and need for unity.

Scriptural Foundations and Applications

Hosea 4:1-2

  • Key Ideas: Absence of truth and knowledge of God, prevalence of swearing, lying, killing.
  • Connection: Tied to identity confusion and societal degradation.

Lamentations 4:17

  • Verse: Looking to a nation that cannot save us (showcasing misplaced hope and dependency).
  • Isaiah 30:12: Implications of trusting in oppression and the ensuing consequences.

Prophetic Context

Psalms 44:13-15

  • Confusion Continually: Continual struggle with national identity and respect.
  • Ezekiel 34:31: God’s order – men as leaders.

Isaiah 1:4 and Context of National Sin

  • Impact of Sin: Disconnect from God’s laws results in societal oppression and moral decay. Isaiah 1:4: Emphasizes Israel's sinful state.

Hosea 1:10

  • Misplaced Hope: National confusion, ongoing oppression.

Judith 5:20-21

  • Key Idea: Presence of sin as a continual source of national downfall.

Revelation 12:17

  • Dragon's Wrath: Anger of the system (Dragon) against those keeping God's commandments.

Role of Women and Societal Order

1 Corinthians 11:3

  • Order: The head of every man is Christ, the head of every woman is the man.
  • Implication: Societal disorder linked to deviating from divine order.

Ezekiel 13:17

  • Against False Prophecies: Addressing false female prophets leading people astray.

1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 14:33-34

  • Command for Silence: Women to learn in silence and submission.

Surah 25:16 and Ecclesiastes 7:26

  • Warnings: Hazards of contentious women in a societal context.

Conclusion

  • Revolution and Change: True change begins within by embracing God’s laws. (Matthew 18:3, John 3:3)
  • Global Implication: Keeping commandments will lead to a shift in global power dynamics (Revelation 2:26).

Final Call to Action

  • Luke 14:27: Emphasis on bearing one's cross and forsaking all for discipleship.
  • Persistent Effort: Need for consistent labor in faith to drive lasting change (Micah 4:10).