Topical Bible: Fatherless: The Wicked: Murder

◄ Fatherless: The Wicked: Murder ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "fatherless" often refers to orphans or those who lack the protection and provision of a father. The Scriptures frequently emphasize God's special concern for the fatherless, highlighting His role as their defender and provider. However, the Bible also addresses the wickedness of those who exploit or harm the fatherless, including acts of murder.

Divine Concern for the Fatherless

The Bible consistently portrays God as a protector of the fatherless. In Psalm 68:5, God is described as "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling." This verse underscores God's commitment to justice and care for those who are vulnerable and without familial support.

Condemnation of the Wicked

The Scriptures are clear in their condemnation of those who would harm the fatherless. In Deuteronomy 27:19, a curse is pronounced on anyone who perverts justice due to the fatherless: "Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow." This reflects the seriousness with which God views the mistreatment of the vulnerable.

Murder and the Fatherless

The act of murder, particularly against the defenseless such as the fatherless, is seen as a grievous sin in the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah speaks against those who commit such acts, highlighting the moral decay of society. In Jeremiah 7:6, God warns the people not to oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow, nor to shed innocent blood: "If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow, and if you do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm."

The Wicked and Their Fate

The Bible assures that the wicked, including those who murder the fatherless, will face divine retribution. In Psalm 10:14-15, the psalmist calls upon God to act against the wicked: "But You have seen it, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer; call him to account for his wickedness until none is found."

God's Justice and Protection

God's justice is a recurring theme in relation to the fatherless. In Proverbs 23:10-11, the Bible warns against encroaching on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong: "Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; He will take up their case against you." This passage reassures that God Himself will defend the rights of the fatherless and bring justice to those who wrong them.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently upholds the sanctity of life and the protection of the vulnerable, including the fatherless. The wicked, who commit acts of murder against such individuals, are assured of God's judgment. Through His Word, God calls His people to uphold justice, defend the fatherless, and reflect His character in their treatment of others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 94:6
They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Good Samaritan
... is a road with an evil name for murder and robbery ... look wistfully to the time when
"the wicked cease from ... the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlviii the good samaritan.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... his prayer become sin; let his children be fatherless and his ... A wicked man, like
Jehoram, has his bowels fallen out ... It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Of Civil Government.
... in the Psalm, "Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice ... Again, "He that saith unto
the wicked, Thou art ... while nefarious men wade through murder and slaughter ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Fast-Day Service
... this day the widow and the fatherless children; think ... at once drawn that the house
fell because they were wicked. ... who, by their crimes, by their murder, and by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fast-day service.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... amiss is not consequently dishonest or wicked; the secret ... after rewards: they judge
not the fatherless, neither doth ... so the company of priests murder in the ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

The Treatise
... not so clearly seen as that of murder, because of ... judge unjustly, and accept the
persons of the wicked? ... the matter of the poor and fatherless, demand justice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/a treatise on good works/the treatise.htm

Little Sins
... As for murder, it is a masterly sin; but we do ... men; see how he wronged the widow
and robbed the fatherless! ... The wicked, it is true, shall be sent there, but ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm

Rom. xiv. 1, 2
... a short moment of time have done one murder, are condemned ... If ye judge the cause
of the fatherless, and see ... For if the wicked are not to be punished, and there ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv rom xiv 1.htm

Huss and Jerome.
... city, she kneeled down beside the fatherless youth, and ... priests of the church had
become wicked persons, and ... of the basest crimes, besides murder, simony, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /6 huss and jerome.htm

Huss and Jerome
... city, she kneeled down beside the fatherless youth and ... priests of the church had
become wicked persons and ... of the basest crimes, besides murder, simony, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm