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 And let the just feast, and rejoice before God: and be delighted with gladness.5 Sing ye to God, sing a psalm to his name, make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west: the Lord is his name. Rejoice ye before him: but the wicked shall be troubled at his presence,
9 The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
12 Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that had no helper.13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow.
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, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: Judge ye true judgment, and shew ye mercy and compassion every man to his brother.10 And oppress not the widow, and the fatherless, and the stranger, and the poor: and let not a man devise evil in his heart against his brother.
22 You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan.23 If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry:24 And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
17 Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend 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 Religion clean and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their tribulation: and to keep one's self unspotted from this world.
3 Honour widows, that are widows indeed.