A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity. (Psalm 68:5-6)
In Jewish thought, there is a scriptural “golden rule” of sorts that says, whenever Scripture mentions God’s might, it immediately speaks of His compassion. We see a demonstration of that rule when comparing the verse above to the previous verses in this psalm. Even though God rides the clouds in the heaven of heavens, He remains involved in the lives of the weakest and most vulnerable here on earth — the orphan, the widow and the captives.
To the one who has no parent to teach and guide them, He is a father to them. It should be noted that this includes those situations where the parent lives but has abdicated their responsibility as a parent. As David said elsewhere in Scripture, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10). In the case of the widow, because she is often troubled by lack or the threat of those who wish to exploit her vulnerability, she is likened to a mute — unable to plead her case. Therefore, God steps in to protect her and to be her voice and advocate.
Likewise, God’s people — who were once bound in chains of slavery — have been liberated and set upon a path that leads to life and prosperity. Though we were as orphans and widows, our Heavenly Father is our Teacher, Protector and Benefactor. Through the sacrifice of His Son, He has taken us from our abandoned and destitute state and placed us in His family, calling us His sons and daughters. Think of it: the great and awesome God — the One who, by His word, spoke the universe into existence — is the One who lovingly invited you and me to take up residence in His house. Amazing, but true. And so, in spite of what is going on around us, let us rejoice in this truth.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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