Topical Bible: Widows: Woe to Those Who Oppress

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In the biblical narrative, widows are frequently mentioned as a vulnerable group deserving of special care and protection. The Scriptures emphasize God's concern for widows and issue stern warnings against those who would oppress or exploit them. The plight of widows in ancient times was often dire, as they lacked the social and economic support typically provided by a husband. Consequently, the Bible underscores the importance of justice and compassion towards widows, reflecting God's own character and expectations for His people.

Divine Concern for Widows

God's concern for widows is evident throughout the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 10:18, it is written, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This verse highlights God's active role in ensuring justice and provision for widows, aligning them with other marginalized groups such as orphans and foreigners. The divine mandate to care for widows is further reinforced in Deuteronomy 27:19: "Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow." This curse underscores the seriousness with which God views the mistreatment of widows.

Prophetic Warnings Against Oppression

The prophets frequently addressed the issue of widow oppression, condemning those who would exploit their vulnerability. Isaiah 1:17 exhorts the people to "learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor; defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." This call to action reflects a broader biblical theme of social justice and righteousness. Similarly, in Jeremiah 22:3, the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD says: Do justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do not exploit or mistreat the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow."

The prophet Malachi also issues a stark warning in Malachi 3:5: "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers; against oppressors of the widows and the fatherless, and against those who deprive the foreigner of justice, but do not fear Me, says the LORD of Hosts." This passage highlights the severity of God's judgment against those who oppress widows, placing such actions alongside other grievous sins.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament continues to affirm the importance of caring for widows. In James 1:27, the apostle 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 unstained by the world." This verse encapsulates the essence of true religion as one that actively seeks the welfare of the most vulnerable, including widows.

The early church took this mandate seriously, as seen in Acts 6:1-6, where the apostles addressed the neglect of Hellenistic widows in the daily distribution of food. This led to the appointment of deacons to ensure fair treatment and provision for all widows, demonstrating the church's commitment to upholding the biblical standard of care.

Conclusion

The biblical witness is clear: God has a profound concern for widows, and He commands His people to reflect His justice and compassion in their treatment of them. The Scriptures consistently warn against the oppression of widows, promising divine judgment on those who fail to uphold justice. Through both the Old and New Testaments, the call to care for widows remains a vital expression of faithfulness to God's commands and a testament to His character.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 10:1,2
Woe to them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Helping the Poor.
... For it is again said by Him: "Woe to those ... V. We exhort, therefore, the widows and
orphans to partake ... Also those that oppress the widow and overbear the orphan ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

Revelation of Paul.
... saw it, and cried out with one voice, saying: Woe to thee ... and sorcerers, and the
whoremongers, and the adulterers, and those that oppress widows and orphans ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of paul/revelation of paul.htm

A Sabbath in Capernaum
... a Diaconate to Christ, and to those that were ... From all parts they bring them: mothers,
widows, wives, fathers ... is as the Consoler in the world's manifold woe! ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv a sabbath in.htm

Letter xxxix. To Paula.
... longing should be that expressed by the psalmist: "Woe is me ... Mourning is for those
who wear silk dresses. ... Both of us widows indeed, we have been both rewarded ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxix to paula.htm

V. ...
... "Woe to thee, Capernaum, who art exalted even to heaven ... Secondly, of those that shall
be taken, crushed and ... love, to procure a common fund for widows and worthy ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter ii v 2.htm

The Seventh Book
... vessel of which the prophet said: "Woe to the ... the highest grade, we may infer what
those towns were ... proscriptions of orphans, the afflictions of widows and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... persons and busybodies, whether virgins or widows; such as ... to comfort, with soothing
words, those whose thoughts ... find your own pleasure, and oppress all your ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... We also disallow those who think that themselves, by their ... 25:1). And in Isaiah
5:22, 23, 'Woe to them ... from all uncleanness, and that no man oppress or deceive ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... her, though those that stood by snarled at him for so doing (Luke 13:11-13). And
why the woman of Sarepta, and why Naaman the Syrian, rather than widows and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... her, though those that stood by snarled at him for so doing; Luke 13:11-13,. And
why the woman of Sarepta, and why Naaman the Syrian, rather than widows and ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm