Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, widows are often highlighted as a vulnerable group deserving of protection and care. The Scriptures frequently admonish the faithful to provide for widows, reflecting God's compassion and justice. However, the wicked are characterized by their neglect and mistreatment of widows, which is condemned throughout the Bible.The Old Testament law explicitly commands the Israelites to care for widows, alongside orphans and foreigners, as seen in Deuteronomy 24:17: "Do not deny justice to a foreigner or fatherless child, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security." This command underscores the importance of justice and mercy towards those who are most vulnerable in society. The wicked, in contrast, are depicted as those who exploit and oppress widows. In Isaiah 10:1-2, the prophet denounces those who enact unjust laws and deprive widows of justice: "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." This passage highlights the moral corruption of those who fail to uphold God's standards of righteousness and compassion. In the New Testament, Jesus condemns the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and exploitation of widows. In Mark 12:40, He warns, "They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation." This criticism reveals the severity of judgment reserved for those who, under the guise of piety, take advantage of the defenseless. The Apostle James reiterates the importance of caring for widows as a mark of true religion. In James 1:27, he writes, "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 teaching emphasizes that genuine faith is demonstrated through acts of love and service to those in need. Throughout Scripture, the mistreatment of widows is a clear indicator of wickedness and moral decay. The Bible consistently calls for the protection and support of widows, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. The wicked, by failing to do good to widows, reveal their disregard for God's commands and their lack of compassion for the vulnerable. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 24:21He evil entreats the barren that bears not: and does not good to the widow. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do ... The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death. The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed. Concerning Widows. The Good Samaritan Letter cxcix. Canonica Secunda. Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows. A Voice from the Hartley Colliery Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls Rhapsody Resources Should a Christian go on welfare? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about feeding the hungry? | GotQuestions.org What does Jesus want us to learn from what He said about the widow's mite? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Widows were Clothed in Mourning After the Decease of Husbands Widows were Frequently Oppressed and Persecuted Widows were Released from all Obligation to Former Husbands Widows were Under the Special Protection of God Widows: A Type of Zion in Affliction Widows: Allowed to Marry Again Widows: Blessings on Those Who Relieve Widows: Curse for Perverting Judgment of Widows: Exhorted to Trust in God Widows: God: Establishes the Border of Widows: God: Surely Hears the Cry of Widows: God: Will Witness Against Oppressors of Widows: Increase of, Threatened As a Punishment Widows: Intermarrying With, of Kings Considered Treason Widows: Laws Respecting: Bound to Perform Their Vows Widows: Laws Respecting: Not to be Oppressed Widows: Laws Respecting: Not to Intermarry With Priests Widows: Laws Respecting: Raiment of, not to be Taken in Pledge by Creditors Widows: Laws Respecting: To be Allowed to Glean in Fields and Vineyards Widows: Laws Respecting: To Have a Share of the Triennial Tithe Widows: Laws Respecting: To Share in Public Rejoicings Widows: Laws Respecting: when Daughters of Priests and Childless to Partake of The Widows: Laws Respecting: when Left Childless, to be Married by Their Husband's Widows: Not to be Deplored By, Considered a Great Calamity Widows: Often Devoted Themselves Entirely to God's Service Widows: Reproach Connected With Widows: Saints: Disappoint Not Widows: should be Allowed to Share in Our Blessings Widows: should be Honored, If Widows Indeed Widows: should be Relieved by the Church Widows: should be Relieved by Their Friends Widows: should be Visited in Affliction Widows: should not Be: Afflicted Widows: should not Be: Deprived of Raiment in Pledge Widows: should not Be: Oppressed Widows: should not Be: Treated With Violence Widows: Specially Taken Care of by the Church Widows: The Wicked: do No Good To Widows: The Wicked: Make a Prey of Widows: The Wicked: Reject the Cause of Widows: The Wicked: Send, Away Empty Widows: The Wicked: Take Pledges From Widows: Though Poor, May be Liberal Widows: when Young, Exposed to May Temptations Widows: Woe to Those Who Oppress Related Terms |
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