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 But let the righteous be joyful; let them exult before God; let them be jubilant with joy!5 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides upon the clouds; his name is the LORD, exult before him!
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners, he upholds the widow and the fatherless; but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
12 because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless who had none to help him.13 The blessing of him who was about 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 your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
9 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy each to his brother,10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart."
22 "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor, and you shall not exact interest from him.23 If ever you take your neighbor's garment in pledge, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down;24 for that is his only covering, it is his mantle for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; defend 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.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
3 Honor widows who are real widows.