Tag Archives: Old Testament

God’s Law on Widows and Orphans: (The Prophets)

Psalm 146 is one of the most powerful songs of the Old Law. It is referred to as The LORD an Abundant Helper. “How blessed is he whose help is the God Jacob (vs. 5),Who executes justice for the oppressed(vs.7) The LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow;But he thwarts the way of the wicked. (vs.9)”

It has always been clear to me that the responsibility of caring for the neglected has rested on the churches. Because the Nations have been under the Law of God, they should share in the burden for those who can not be helped by a church. Because the churches and the synagogues are unable to take on the burden of those who are not afflicted with a faith. But it also takes a commitment by the people to be honest with their tithe and their offerings. There are many organizations that are not Church Affiliated that are doing wonderful work but it still falls upon the Children to set aside a portion to care for the needs of the community. Because of the many that do not know the Lord and who unreachable to the Word, the government should reach out to them.

The message that is being placed here is that the churches need to step up and take charge of the caring for the widow, orphans and the homeless sojourners that fill our towns and cities. When God told the people Judea and Israel through Isaiah to Repent, He said (Isaiah 1:17) “Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless; Defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” He continues with (vs.18) ” Come now, and let us reason together.” He then proceeds to tell them of the transgressions against God and he ends with: (Isaiah 1:23) “…They do not bring justice to the fatherless ant the widow’s cause does not come to them.”

God’s Law on Widows and Orphans (Deuteronomy)

The caring of the “fatherless” orphans and the widows is a long tradition under the Law of God. But it seems to me that in today’s policies that we have as churches and as communities forgotten that the Law of God still applies. It is as if because we are “free from the bond of the Law” we seem to think that it allows us to ignore the needs of our church families and the needs of the many people throughout the world that are in special need of Christian Love.

When we say to God that we love Him and yet neglect those in the most need of care and assistance, we forget that Jesus said that we are to care for the least of these. And when God spoke to Moses and gave him the Law, He spoke to the Nation of Israel. He established the Church and the nation of His people. The Law was not only for the individual but for community. Not only for the Nation and its people but also for the leaders of the Religious community and for the leaders of each tribe of the Sons of Abraham. It became the responsibility of the Church, the Government and the individual to Obey and to serve God’s will.

The point I am making is that just because Jesus may not have addressed the caring of widows and orphans directly, it is still the our responsibility to see to the welfare and care of them. Just because we are not “bound” to the Law does not excuse us from honoring it. We can not ignore or allow the churches, governments or each other from neglecting, abandoning or abusing the needs of the elderly or the very young. This is not a debate over the liberal or the conservative outlook of our governments, it is the critical responsibility of all. It is a matter of understanding and obeying God’s will as set down by his Law given to Moses in the desert.