Viúvas
A Bíblia revela um cuidado especial de Deus pelas viúvas. Ao longo das Escrituras, encontramos mandamentos claros de proteção, justiça e compaixão, refletindo o caráter amoroso do Senhor.
A proteção divina
Deus se apresenta como defensor das viúvas, garantindo que não fiquem desamparadas. Ele acolhe os que sofrem e sustenta os que perderam seu amparo terreno.
4 Sing unto God, sing forth his name; cast up a way for him that rideth in the deserts: his name is Jah; and rejoice before him.5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
9 Jehovah preserveth the strangers; he lifteth up the fatherless and the widow; but the way of the wicked doth he subvert.
12 For I delivered the afflicted that cried, and the fatherless who had no helper.13 The blessing of him that was perishing came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
Justiça e compaixão
A Palavra ordena que seu povo pratique a justiça, protegendo os mais frágeis e defendendo a causa dos necessitados.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
9 Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew loving-kindness and mercies one to another,10 and oppress not the widow and the fatherless, the stranger and the afflicted; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.23 If thou afflict him in any way, if he cry at all unto me, I will certainly hear his cry;24 and my anger shall burn, and I will slay you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
17 learn to do well: seek judgment, gladden the oppressed, do justice to the fatherless, plead for the widow.
O chamado da Igreja
No Novo Testamento, o cuidado com as viúvas é expressão genuína da fé cristã. Tiago declara que a religião pura inclui visitar os necessitados.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
3 Honour widows who are really widows;