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 (68:5) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name; extol him who rideth upon the heavens: the Everlasting is his name, and rejoice before him.5 (68:6) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
9 The Lord guardeth the strangers; the fatherless and widow he helpeth up; but the way of the wicked he maketh crooked.
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, yea, that had none to help him.13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; and the heart of the widow I caused 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 decide the cause of the poor and needy.
9 Thus hath said the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true justice, and show kindness and mercy every man to his brother;10 And defraud not the widow, or the fatherless, the stranger, or the poor; and imagine not evil in your heart one against the other.
22 (22:21) Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.23 (22:22) If thou afflict him in any wise; for if he cry at all unto me, I will surely hear his cry:24 (22:23) My wrath shall wax hot, and I will slay you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
17 Learn to do well; seek for justice, relieve 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.