Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, widows are often depicted as vulnerable members of society who require special care and protection. The Scriptures repeatedly emphasize God's concern for widows and His commands to His people to treat them with justice and compassion. However, the Bible also acknowledges the unfortunate reality that the wicked often exploit widows, making them a prey.The exploitation of widows is condemned in various passages throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah highlights the societal corruption that leads to the oppression of widows. Isaiah 10:1-2 states, "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless." This passage underscores the moral decay that results in the mistreatment of the most defenseless individuals, including widows. Similarly, in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet laments the injustices faced by widows. Jeremiah 7:6 warns against oppressing the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, indicating that such actions are detestable to God. The exploitation of widows is seen as a symptom of a broader societal failure to uphold righteousness and justice. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself condemns those who exploit widows. In Mark 12:40 , He criticizes the scribes, saying, "They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation." This rebuke highlights the hypocrisy of religious leaders who, despite their outward displays of piety, engage in acts of exploitation against the vulnerable. The Bible also provides examples of God's judgment upon those who prey on widows. In Malachi 3:5 , the Lord declares, "I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear Me." This passage serves as a warning that divine justice will be executed against those who exploit widows. Throughout Scripture, the mistreatment of widows is consistently portrayed as an egregious sin that incurs God's wrath. The Bible calls for the protection and care of widows, urging believers to uphold justice and righteousness. The exploitation of widows by the wicked is a grave offense that stands in stark contrast to the biblical mandate to love and support those in need. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 10:2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 23:14 Library Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ... Psalm CXXXII. Of Civil Government. The Last Season Letter cxxv. To Rusticus. The Death of the Christian Christian Behavior Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ... The Fifth Book How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ... Resources What does the Bible say about how widows are to be treated? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about orphans and widows? | GotQuestions.org What is pure and undefiled religion (James 1:27)? | 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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