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 praises to His name; extol Him that rideth upon the skies, whose name is the LORD; and exult ye before Him.5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in His holy habitation.
9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; He upholdeth the fatherless and the widow; but the way of the wicked He maketh crooked.
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, the fatherless also, that had none to help him.13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish 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 plead the cause of the poor and needy.
9 'Thus hath the LORD of hosts spoken, saying: Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother;10 and oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.23 If thou afflict them in any wise--for if they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry--24 My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
17 Learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge 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.