In the biblical context, widows hold a significant place, often depicted as vulnerable members of society who require protection and care. The Scriptures provide numerous instructions regarding the treatment of widows, emphasizing the importance of justice and compassion. However, there are also warnings against those who would exploit or vex widows, highlighting the wickedness of such actions.

The Mosaic Law explicitly commands the Israelites to protect widows from oppression. In Exodus 22:22-24 , God warns, "You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry. My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword; then your wives will become widows and your children fatherless." This passage underscores the seriousness with which God views the mistreatment of widows, equating it with an offense that provokes divine wrath.

The prophets also speak against those who exploit widows. Isaiah 10:1-2 declares, "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." Here, the prophet condemns leaders who create laws that harm the vulnerable, including widows, highlighting the moral corruption of such actions.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself denounces the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and exploitation of widows. In Mark 12:38-40 , He warns, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and receive greetings in the marketplaces, and have the chief seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation." Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their outward piety that masks their inner corruption, particularly their exploitation of widows.

The early church continued this emphasis on caring for widows, as seen in the appointment of deacons to ensure their needs were met (Acts 6:1-6). The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral instructions, advises Timothy on the proper care of widows within the church community, emphasizing the need for discernment and support (1 Timothy 5:3-16).

Throughout Scripture, the vexation of widows is consistently portrayed as a grievous sin, one that incurs divine judgment. The biblical narrative upholds the dignity and rights of widows, calling for their protection and care as a reflection of God's justice and compassion.Ezekiel 22:7
In you have they set light by father and mother: in the middle of you have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in you have they vexed the fatherless and the widow.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews xi. 20-22
... Seest thou that from the beginning the wicked have enjoyed ... to return, and not to
mourn or vex himself. ... by enumerating even women that were harlots, and widows. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi hebrews xi 20-22.htm

Degrees of Sin
... Wherefore does the wicked condemn God?' Psalm 10:13. ... Which devour widows' houses,
and for a show make long ... journeys and ran more hazards, to vex and oppose the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/3 2 degrees of sin.htm

Election no Discouragement to Seeking Souls
... of this, spake on this wise: many widows there were ... rather inclined to think that
is a wicked and perverse ... Let those who can, vex their brains with the task of ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/election no discouragement to seeking.htm

V. ...
... scrupulous consciences and cruelly urge and vex themselves by ... greatly by the libertine
course of the wicked. ... 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

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book iii.
... of the work; for more stormy billows vex the soul of ... men of zeal in order that the
wicked may ruin ... to approach the question of superintending widows, first of ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 3.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... and dwell in tents, while those who vex you rejoice ... These are the playthings of the
Wicked One, who ... virgins, decorous matrons, gatherings of widows and orphans ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

The First Apology of Justin, the Martyr
... Woe, sinful nation, people full of sins, wicked seed, lawless children, you have
forsaken the ... Then will he speak to them in his wrath and vex them in his anger ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the first apology of justin.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... and had no pity on orphans and widows, but neglected ... A very great part of the mischiefs
that vex the world ... get it, because you ask with the wicked intention of ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

Should a Christian go on welfare? | GotQuestions.org

What 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

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