Widows: Blessings on Those Who Relieve
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In the biblical context, widows are often highlighted as a vulnerable group deserving of special care and attention. The Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of providing for widows, and there are numerous blessings promised to those who extend compassion and support to them.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the care of widows. In Deuteronomy 10:18, God is described as one who "executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This verse underscores God's heart for justice and provision for widows, setting a divine example for His people to follow.

The Law of Moses includes specific instructions for the protection and provision of widows. In Deuteronomy 24:19-21, the Israelites are commanded not to harvest their fields completely, leaving behind sheaves, olives, and grapes for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow. This practice ensured that widows had access to food and sustenance, reflecting God's care for their well-being.

Prophetic Advocacy

The prophets also echo the call to care for widows. 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 highlights the moral responsibility of God's people to advocate for and support widows, aligning with God's justice and righteousness.

Jeremiah 22:3 further reinforces this mandate: "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 prophetic voice consistently calls for societal structures that protect and uplift widows, ensuring they are not marginalized or oppressed.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself demonstrating compassion towards widows. In Luke 7:12-15, Jesus encounters a widow in Nain who has lost her only son. Moved with compassion, He raises the young man from the dead, restoring hope and security to the widow. This act of mercy exemplifies the heart of Christ towards those in distress.

The early church also prioritized the care of widows. In Acts 6:1-6, the apostles address the needs of Hellenistic widows who were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. This led to the appointment of deacons to ensure fair and adequate provision, highlighting the church's commitment to caring for widows.

The Apostle Paul provides further instruction in 1 Timothy 5:3-16, where he outlines the church's responsibility to honor and support widows, particularly those who are truly in need. Paul emphasizes that caring for widows is a demonstration of piety and faith, and he encourages families to take responsibility for their widowed relatives.

Blessings for Those Who Relieve

The Bible promises blessings to those who care for widows. In James 1:27, pure and undefiled religion is defined as "to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse suggests that caring for widows is a reflection of genuine faith and devotion to God.

Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This principle can be applied to the care of widows, as those who extend kindness and support are assured of God's favor and blessing.

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently calls for the protection and provision of widows, with promises of blessings for those who heed this call. The care of widows is a reflection of God's character and a testament to the faithfulness of His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Deuteronomy 14:29
And the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Rom. viii. 12, 13
... But to start from our present blessings, and to ... selves, waste all our attention upon
those things, which ... the pillars, but the bodies of widows furnished with ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv rom viii 12.htm

Letter to a Young Widow.
... of this war, a great crowd of widows has occurred ... And if you do this, see what blessings
you will enjoy ... eternal life and the things promised to those who love ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter to a young widow.htm

2 Timothy iii. 7-Jan
... have not been able to live properly as widows. ... But those afflictions were the occasion
of great good. ... Both his spiritual and temporal blessings were augmented. ...
/.../homily vii 2 timothy iii.htm

Rom. xii. 4, 5
... How many widows were there in Israel? ... bringest a shipwreck about more distressing
than those in the ... mercy for ourselves, we may obtain the blessings promised us ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxi rom xii 4.htm

The Last Season
... of the fatherless and Judge of widows, nourish, keep ... they so rigid and unfeeling
toward those who have ... If these are no common blessings, no ordinary benefits ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

The Fatherhood of God
... Widows, somehow or other, are always well eared for. ... It is well said, "Children are
doubtful blessings." I remember ... divided from us by the sea"those that are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the fatherhood of god.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... every third year for the poor, the widows and the ... was the reply of the Jews to those
who attempted ... are removed, the nearer is God with his eternal blessings. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... A good name is one of the greatest blessings upon earth ... to the wall.' Hear the orphans'
cry; pity the widows' tears ... not be found in the number of those that have ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

1869-1870. Emigration of Families --A visitor's Impressions --The ...
... Then she called on those boys who knew what it was ... far less than the usual time by
faithful widows, who sewed ... 'Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, Praise ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter ii 1869-1870 emigration of.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... of household management, and all those fancied blessings which death ... may bring back
to Paradise those whom satiety ... You may see many women widows before wedded ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about how widows are to be treated? | GotQuestions.org

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

What is pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27)? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Widows

Widows Remarrying

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 Desolate Condition

Widows: A Type of Zion in Affliction

Widows: Allowed to Marry Again

Widows: Blessings on Those Who Relieve

Widows: Character of True

Widows: Curse for Perverting Judgment of

Widows: Exhorted to Trust in God

Widows: God: Establishes the Border of

Widows: God: Judges For

Widows: God: Relieves

Widows: God: Surely Hears the Cry of

Widows: God: Will Witness Against Oppressors of

Widows: Great Liberality In

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: Cause Joy To

Widows: Saints: Disappoint Not

Widows: Saints: Relieve

Widows: should be Allowed to Share in Our Blessings

Widows: should be Honored, If Widows Indeed

Widows: should be Pleaded For

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: Slay

Widows: The Wicked: Take Pledges From

Widows: The Wicked: Vex

Widows: Though Poor, May be Liberal

Widows: when Young, Exposed to May Temptations

Widows: Woe to Those Who Oppress

Widows: Zion in Captivity

Related Terms

Nain (1 Occurrence)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Debt (48 Occurrences)

Fatherless (44 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Intercession (12 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Widows (33 Occurrences)

Clothes (208 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Uproot (17 Occurrences)

Orphan (25 Occurrences)

Orphan's (1 Occurrence)

Orphans (12 Occurrences)

Loan (9 Occurrences)

Lazarus (19 Occurrences)

Wrest (8 Occurrences)

Widow (71 Occurrences)

Weed (3 Occurrences)

Intact (3 Occurrences)

Debtor (7 Occurrences)

Mite (1 Occurrence)

Penury (4 Occurrences)

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

Perishing (24 Occurrences)

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)

Slavery (31 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Slave (148 Occurrences)

Width (58 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Sing (147 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Cloak (73 Occurrences)

Root (54 Occurrences)

Donkeys (71 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Foreigner (99 Occurrences)

Alien (102 Occurrences)

Clothing (288 Occurrences)

Judging (141 Occurrences)

Donkey (84 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Garment (143 Occurrences)

Upright (392 Occurrences)

Borders (104 Occurrences)

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Ass (95 Occurrences)

Stranger (152 Occurrences)

Song (207 Occurrences)

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Widows: Allowed to Marry Again
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