Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Oppress
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The term "fatherless" in the Bible often refers to orphans or children who have lost their fathers, leaving them vulnerable and in need of protection and care. The Scriptures consistently emphasize God's deep concern for the fatherless and His commitment to justice on their behalf. Throughout the Bible, God commands His people to care for the fatherless and warns of severe consequences for those who oppress or neglect them.

Divine Protection and Justice

God's heart for the fatherless is evident in numerous passages where He promises to be their defender and avenger. In Psalm 68:5, God is described as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation." This verse highlights God's personal commitment to act as a father figure to those who lack earthly paternal care.

The Lord's protective nature is further underscored in Deuteronomy 10:18, which states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." Here, God's justice is portrayed as active and compassionate, ensuring that the needs of the fatherless are met.

Warnings Against Oppression

The Bible contains stern warnings against those who would exploit or harm the fatherless. In Exodus 22:22-24, God commands, "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children fatherless." This passage illustrates the severity of God's response to the mistreatment of the vulnerable, emphasizing His readiness to enact justice.

Similarly, in Isaiah 10:1-2, the prophet condemns those who create unjust laws that oppress the fatherless: "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." The use of "woe" signifies impending judgment and divine retribution for such actions.

God's Call to His People

God's concern for the fatherless is not only a matter of divine action but also a call to His people to reflect His character. In James 1:27, believers are instructed, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse underscores the importance of practical care and moral integrity as expressions of true faith.

The call to protect and provide for the fatherless is a recurring theme in the Old Testament law. In Deuteronomy 24:17, God commands, "Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security." This directive ensures that the rights and dignity of the fatherless are upheld within the community.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a champion of the fatherless, promising protection and justice while issuing grave warnings against those who would oppress them. Through His commands and actions, God reveals His compassionate nature and calls His people to embody the same care and justice in their lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Exodus 22:24
And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 10:1-3
Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, said the LORD of hosts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

David's Anger
... those who robbed the widow and put the fatherless to death ... burns for ever"the Divine
fire of God; the fire ... but of love to mankind, which will therefore punish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Of Civil Government.
... In this way humility will curb our impatience. ... kings, and inclinations of
kingdoms.65 [691] "God standeth in ... to make widows a prey, and plunder the fatherless. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Psalm XCIV.
... have murdered the widow, and the fatherless: and slain ... like thyself." What meaneth,
"that I will be like ... assertion of the wicked: because God neither regardeth ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciv.htm

The Preacher as a Patriot.
... to do well; seek judgment; relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless; plead for
the ... in this did not rest solely on the will and power of God in general ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iii the preacher as.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
... what we prefer to him, [1529]ib.; protects the widow, [1530]ib.; and the fatherless,
[1531]351 ... Good-will, in man, necessary to God's working, [1579]186 ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Seventh Book
... doings; if ye oppress not the stranger and the fatherless and the ... when he said:
"And now without the will of the ... thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... We also disallow those who think that themselves, by ... all uncleanness, and that no
man oppress or deceive ... same works that are agreeable to God's will must be ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... Every soul will be able to read and clearly to understand those mysterious
books"God's omniscient, his penetrating, his universal sight of all things from ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... and understand it, it must need work on those spectators one ... congregation shall be
established before me, and I will punish all that ... Having the glory of God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about orphans and widows? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about charity? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about social justice? | GotQuestions.org

Fatherless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Fatherless

Fatherless: A Curse on Those Who Oppress

Fatherless: A Type of Zion in Affliction

Fatherless: Afflict Not

Fatherless: Blessedness of Taking Care of

Fatherless: Daughters of Zelophehad

Fatherless: Defend

Fatherless: Defraud Not

Fatherless: do No Violence To

Fatherless: Esther

Fatherless: Find Mercy in God

Fatherless: God Will: Be a Father of

Fatherless: God Will: Be a Helper of

Fatherless: God Will: Execute the Judgment of

Fatherless: God Will: Hear the Cry of

Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Judge Not

Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Oppress

Fatherless: Joash

Fatherless: Jotham

Fatherless: Let Them Share in Our Blessings

Fatherless: Lot

Fatherless: Mephibosheth

Fatherless: Oppress Not

Fatherless: Promises With Respect To

Fatherless: The Wicked: Judge not For

Fatherless: The Wicked: Murder

Fatherless: The Wicked: Oppress

Fatherless: The Wicked: Overwhelm

Fatherless: The Wicked: Rob

Fatherless: The Wicked: Vex

Fatherless: Visit in Affliction

Fatherless: Wrong Not, in Judgment

Fatherlessness

Related Terms

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Orphans (12 Occurrences)

Widows (33 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Widow's (7 Occurrences)

Levite (43 Occurrences)

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)

Oppress (57 Occurrences)

Alien (102 Occurrences)

Aliens (53 Occurrences)

Gates (156 Occurrences)

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Vindicate (18 Occurrences)

Forgotten (69 Occurrences)

Deprive (17 Occurrences)

Manservant (14 Occurrences)

Man-servant (18 Occurrences)

Maidservants (28 Occurrences)

Menservants (19 Occurrences)

Cuttest (5 Occurrences)

Bruised (36 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Maid-servant (49 Occurrences)

Rights (35 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Satisfied (110 Occurrences)

Rejoiced (83 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Helper (58 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Maidservant (73 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Afflicted (171 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Father-in-law (25 Occurrences)

Plead (64 Occurrences)

Remains (118 Occurrences)

Loveth (88 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Shed (73 Occurrences)

Tithe (30 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Wages (52 Occurrences)

Rejoice (259 Occurrences)

Behind (188 Occurrences)

Female (95 Occurrences)

Portion (227 Occurrences)

Bondman (108 Occurrences)

Victim (3 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Vileness (5 Occurrences)

Kindled (83 Occurrences)

Unspotted (3 Occurrences)

Unfortunate (4 Occurrences)

Upholdeth (8 Occurrences)

Upholds (12 Occurrences)

Unstained (4 Occurrences)

Undefiled (7 Occurrences)

Upside (7 Occurrences)

Overlook (7 Occurrences)

Olive-tree (17 Occurrences)

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)

One's (59 Occurrences)

Oppressively (1 Occurrence)

Overpassed (1 Occurrence)

Olden (2 Occurrences)

Overpass (1 Occurrence)

Orphan's (1 Occurrence)

Oneself (10 Occurrences)

Judicial (2 Occurrences)

Less (93 Occurrences)

Laborers (19 Occurrences)

Landmark (5 Occurrences)

Glean (12 Occurrences)

Gladden (7 Occurrences)

Fatherless: God Will: Punish Those Who Judge Not
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