Rob not the poor, because he is poor: Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the LORD will plead their cause, And spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.“
Proverbs 22:22-23
To deprive one with few resources knowing they do not have the ability to resist, as well as taking advantage of and breaking those who are unable to stand up for themselves is not to be done. If it is done the Existing One will take the side of the oppressed and will rob the ones who did the wrong.
When we look at the passage there is a statement made, “For the LORD will plead their cause.” This phrase has several meanings.
It can be addressing a court case. In this instance the LORD takes the role of an Attorney for the Poor and pleads their case against the oppressor.
In another scenario the passage is speaking of a fighter stepping in to protect the poor from the Oppressor.
In another meaning, the LORD will quarrel against the Oppressor, running interference to weaken the Oppressor and giving the Poor a break.
In every case the LORD takes the side of the Weak and attacks the Oppressor.
This leads to the second portion of the statement. The LORD will spoil or ruin the soul, or life source, of the Oppressor.
This could mean the Oppressor will have their resources unavailable to them. It could mean the LORD will remove the wealth which was hoarded by the Oppressor. It could even insinuate the LORD will remove the life (as in kill) the Oppressor.
In short, this passage harkens back to the first chapter of Proverbs warning not to throw in with thieves and take spoil from the innocent. Proverbs 1:10-19.
It is imperative to understand the LORD is the one spoiling the Oppressor. This is an operation handled from an Authority position which is above the Oppressor, NOT a lateral operation enacted by an equal.
We, as equals, are not to oppress and ruin an Oppressor as doing so would place us in the same position and now we become liable for hurting our fellow man.
Knowing and utilizing a proper Authority structure is paramount to keeping ourselves in line and out of the danger zone with our Authority.