Dictionary of Bible Themes God's tender concern for bereaved wives is declared throughout the whole of Scripture. He defends their rights and expects his people to do the same. Psalms 68:5God is the protector of widows See also Deuteronomy 10:18Psalms 146:9 Proverbs 15:25 Jeremiah 49:11 Mark 12:41-44 Jesus Christ's concern for widows Luke 7:11-15; 18:1-5pp Lk 21:1-4 Deuteronomy 27:19Widows are to be treated justly See also Exodus 22:22-24Job 24:21-22 Psalms 94:6 Isaiah 10:1-4 Jeremiah 22:3-5 Ezekiel 22:25 Exodus 22:22 Widows are not to be exploited See also Isaiah 10:1-2Ezekiel 22:7 Malachi 3:5 Mark 12:38-40 pp Lk 20:45-47 Deuteronomy 24:19The law requires God's people to provide for widows See also Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 16:11; 24:17,20-21; 26:12Isaiah 1:17 The prophet encourages God's people to return to the law. 1 Timothy 5:3The Christian community are to care for widows See also 1 Timothy 5:4-161 Corinthians 7:8-9 James 1:27 Deuteronomy 16:14 Examples of widows and their treatment Ruth 1:16-171 Kings 17:13-14 Job 24:3; 29:13 Luke 2:36-38 Luke 4:25-26; 7:11-17 Anna Acts 6:1; 9:36-41the widow of Nain Dorcas Exodus 22:22-24Women widowed because of God's judgment See also Psalms 109:9Isaiah 9:17 Jeremiah 15:8 Lamentations 5:3 Deuteronomy 25:5-10 Laws governing the remarriage of widows The people generally See also Genesis 38:8The OT emphasises continuity of the family line. Ruth 3:12Ruth 4:10 Mark 12:19 Boaz refers to the law which gave the nearest male relative the duty of marrying the widow Leviticus 21:13-14pp Lk 20:28 See also The priests Ezekiel 44:22Lamentations 1:1 Widowhood as the personification of a city See also Isaiah 54:4-5A lament for desolate Jerusalem. Revelation 18:7a prophecy of the restoration of Jerusalem See also the boasts of Babylon 5118 Solomon5359 justice 5419 mourning 5446 poverty 5488 quivers 5711 marriage, restrictions 5731 parents 5744 wife 5798 betrayal 5806 compassion 8224 dependence 8452 neighbours, duty to |
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