Good Morning.
“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry.” (Exodus 22:22-23)
No one among God’s people are to be neglected or abused, especially those who have suffered loss and are left vulnerable. In this particular case, those who have been deprived of their human protectors have the assurance that the Creator, Himself, becomes their protector and provider. His typical method of provision, however, is to work through others in the community of faith. They are charged with the responsibility of looking out for these less fortunate folks among us and are warned of the dangers of inflicting more harm on them. Though not speaking of orphans necessarily, Messiah said:
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)
The warning from God indicates that those who would mistreat widows and orphans will suffer as well, measure of measure; their wives will become widows and their children will become orphans. That’s a pretty stout consequence that speaks to the main point: among God’s people there are none who are considered to be second-class citizens. Our station in life may vary -– some may be masters and some may be servants -– but in God they are all equal. Paul summed it up this way:
“For as many of you as were baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Messiah. And if you are Messiah’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” – Galatians 3:27-29
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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