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.
I have laboured with crying; my jaws are become hoarse: my eyes have failed, whilst I hope in my God.
They are multiplied above the hairs of my head, who hate me without cause. My enemies are grown strong who have wrongfully persecuted me: then did I pay that which I took not away.
Who giveth to beasts their food: and to the young ravens that call upon him.
Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that had no helper. 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.
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, saying: Judge ye true judgment, and shew ye mercy and compassion every man to his brother. 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.
You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan. If you hurt them they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry: And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
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.
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.
Honour widows, that are widows indeed.