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 to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds "; rejoice before him —his name is the LORD.5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
9 The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.13 The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow's heart sing.
Justiça e compaixão
A Palavra ordena que seu povo pratique a justiça, protegendo os mais frágeis e defendendo a causa dos necessitados.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
9 "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.'
22 "Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.24 My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. "Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of 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 that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.