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 praises to his name: Cast up a highway for him who rides through the deserts; His name is Yah; and exult{} before him.5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation.
9 Yahweh preserves the sojourners; He upholds the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked he turns upside down.
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him.13 The blessing of him who 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 your mouth, judge righteously, And give justice to the poor and needy.
9 Thus has Yahweh of hosts spoken, saying, Execute true judgment, and show kindness and compassion every man to his brother;10 and don't oppress the widow, nor the fatherless, the sojourner, nor the poor; and let none of you{} devise evil against his brother in your{} heart.
22 You{} will not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.23 If you afflict him at all, and he cries at all to me, I will surely hear his cry;24 and my wrath will wax hot, and I will kill you{} with the sword; and your{} wives will be widows, and your{} sons fatherless.
17 learn to do well; seek justice, correct oppression, 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.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed.