"THE CARE OF WIDOWS PART I"
Notes
Transcript
Are widows important? if so why?
As we look to the Word of God this morning we are going to begin a several week study that I have titled “The Care of Widows.” As we begin today we are going to learn about the priority of widows we will look first at the OT provisions for Widows, and secondly we will look at the NT provisions for Widows.
Interrogative question - How are you involved in “honoring” the widows within our church family?
The Priority of Widows - vs. 3
The Care of Widows - vs. 4-10
Immediate Families Responsibility - vs. 4 and 8
Qualifications for being a widow - vs. 5, 7, 9-10
Disqualified for care from the church - vs. 6
3 Honor widows who are widows indeed;
“widows” - (chera) - noun, accusative, plural, feminine - direct object - widow
Sense: widow - a woman whose husband is dead.
WIDOW (אַלְמָנָה, almanah; χήρα, chēra). A woman whose husband has died, or who has been parted in some way from her husband. Morris, M. J. (2016). Widow. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
The word “widow” (Greek - chera) is used 26 times in the NT
The word “widow” (Hebrew - almanah) is used 45 times in the OT
1. The Old Testament Provisions for Widows -
1. The Old Testament Provisions for Widows -
Some Widows were able to return to their father’s house -
Genesis 38:6–11 (NASB95)
6 Now Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord took his life. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife, and perform your duty as a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.”
9 Onan knew that the offspring would not be his; so when he went in to his brother’s wife, he wasted his seed on the ground in order not to give offspring to his brother. 10 But what he did was displeasing in the sight of the Lord; so He took his life also.
11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Remain a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up”; for he thought, “I am afraid that he too may die like his brothers.” So Tamar went and lived in her father’s house.
The Old Testament also includes laws specifically mentioning them. Levirate priests were forbidden from marrying widows (Lev 21:14). Due to the Levirate marriage law, a brother or other close male relative should marry the widow of his brother, particularly if she has no sons (Deut 25:5). The Levirate marriage law may have been a necessity in a time when women had few means to support themselves. Morris, M. J. (2016). Widow. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
Levirate Marriage in the Old Testament
Three Old Testament texts mention levirate marriage:
1.Judah’s Children: Judah’s son Onan refuses to perform his duty as a levir (husband’s brother) and impregnate his brother’s widow, Tamar (Genesis 38:6–10). Judah’s expectation that Onan marry Tamar suggests that the custom predated the later legislation (see Deut 25:5–10).
2.Deuteronomistic Law: Deuteronomy presents a man’s obligation to marry his brother’s widow as his moral duty (Deut 25:5–10). Should the brother refuse, the widow is to remove his sandal and spit in his face. Carmichael suggests the ceremony may be a sexual euphemism symbolic of the man’s refusal to use his virility to fulfill his familial responsibility (Carmichael, “Ceremonial Crux,” 329). Manor disagrees, seeing instead the simple symbolism of ownership and shame (Manor, “Brief History,” 133–34).
3.Ruth: The narrative of the book of Ruth revolves around the need for Ruth to procure a new husband from among her deceased husband’s kin. The narrative does not reflect a strict adherence to the legislation of Deut 25, likely due to the variations in Ruth’s circumstances. Here, the levirate expectations extend to the broader clan. Boaz, rather than Ruth, participates in the sandal exchange, which in this case likely reflects the legal transfer of property (Ruth 4:7–8). The narrative clarifies that purchasing the deceased’s property required marrying the deceased’s widow (Ruth 4:5).
No example of Israel’s levirate legislation has been found in the broader ancient Near East, but the Hebrew custom might have originated with Canaanite tradition. Whatever the source, Hebrew modifications included an emphasis on preserving the deceased’s existence through lineage and supporting the rights of the widow (Burrows, “Marriage in Israel,” 25–30). Fleenor, R. (2016). Law, Levirate. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
Some Widows remarried via the law of the levirate marriage -
Ruth 4:10 (NASB95)
10 “Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased will not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”
The narrative of the book of Ruth revolves around the need for Ruth to procure a new husband from among her deceased husband’s kin. The narrative does not reflect a strict adherence to the legislation of Deut 25, likely due to the variations in Ruth’s circumstances. Here, the levirate expectations extend to the broader clan. Boaz, rather than Ruth, participates in the sandal exchange, which in this case likely reflects the legal transfer of property (Ruth 4:7–8). The narrative clarifies that purchasing the deceased’s property required marrying the deceased’s widow (Ruth 4:5). Fleenor, R. (2016). Law, Levirate. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, L. Wentz, E. Ritzema, & W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press.
Interesting that most occurrences of this word refer to widows who are left destitute. Interesting this word (almana) never occurs in Ruth; she is called “Mahlon’s wife” or “the wife of the dead man.”
The Lord commands his people leave behind remnants of the olive and grape harvest for them -
Deuteronomy 24:20–21 (NASB95)
20 “When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. 21 “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow.
The Lord says that if you withhold justice from a widow you are cursed -
Deuteronomy 27:19 (NASB95)
19 ‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
As the prophets present their case against faithless Israel, oppressing widows is one of the sinful charges -
Isaiah 1:23 (NASB95)
23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.
Isaiah 10:2 (NASB95)
2 So as to deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor of My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the orphans.
Malachi 3:5 (NASB95)
5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.
The Lord is the defender and sustainer of widows -
Psalm 68:5 (NASB95)
5 A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
Psalm 146:9 (NASB95)
9 The Lord protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.
God has a special care and concern for widows -
Deuteronomy 10:18 (NASB95)
18 “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.
Deuteronomy 24:17 (NASB95)
17 “You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow’s garment in pledge.
Deuteronomy 26:12–13 (NASB95)
12 “When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
13 “You shall say before the Lord your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments.
Psalm 94:6 (NASB95)
6 They slay the widow and the stranger And murder the orphans.
Jeremiah 7:6 (NASB95)
6 if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin,
Jeremiah 22:3 (NASB95)
3 ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.
Ezekiel 22:7 (NASB95)
7 “They have treated father and mother lightly within you. The alien they have oppressed in your midst; the fatherless and the widow they have wronged in you.
Zechariah 7:10 (NASB95)
10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’
Together with the fatherless and the sojourners, widows were member of a disadvantaged class in ancient Hebrew society. The mosaic law contained a number of provisions -
2. The New Testament Provisions for Widows -
2. The New Testament Provisions for Widows -
Jesus uses the parable of the “widow’s persistence” to teach his disciples about prayer -
Luke 18:1–8 (NASB95)
1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’
4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said;
7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Jesus uses the generosity of the poor widow to teach his disciples about giving -
Mark 12:41–44 (NASB95)
41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1–4 (NASB95)
1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins.
3 And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”
Jesus warns the disciple about the mistreatment of widows -
Mark 12:38–40 (NASB95)
38 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, 39 and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.”
Luke 20:46–47 (NASB95)
46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, 47 who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
The concern of widows being overlooked -
Acts 6:1–6 (NASB95)
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
Dorcas ministry to the widows -
Acts 9:36–42 (NASB95)
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did. 37 And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.
40 But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
James says that caring for “orphans and widows” is “pure worship” -
James 1:27 (NASB95)
27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Widows as Biblical Characters - Most of these widows faced difficult situations - including childlessness and extreme poverty - but show generosity.
Tamar - Genesis 38 - forced her father-in-law to obey Levirate marriage law by impregnating her
Ruth - cared for her mother-in-law and eventually married Boaz
The Widow with two coins - Mark 12:42-44 and Luke 21:2-3 - gives all she has at the temple
Anna - Luke 2:36-38 - worked as a prophet in the temple
The Widow at Zarephath who houses Elijah - 1 Kings 17:8-24 - shares a final bit of food with Elijah
The Widow who continually seeks justice - Luke 18:1-8 -
The question is how are we to treat the widows within the church?
“Honor” - (timao) - verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular - finite verb - honor
Sense: to support - honor - to support financially or materially, conceived of as showing proper respect.
What is “honor?” -
Social Status of honor
Acquired Status of honor
This is to be a continual behavior of the church -
Matthew 15:4–8 (NASB95)
4 “For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’ 5 “But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,”
6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 “You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
Matthew 19:19 (NASB95)
19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mark 7:6 (NASB95)
6 And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.
John 8:49 (NASB95)
49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
John 12:26 (NASB95)
26 “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Ephesians 6:2 (NASB95)
2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),
1 Peter 2:17 (NASB95)
17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Why or how are people to “Honor?”
Four Examples of “honoring” someone or something -
1. The Apostle Paul -
Acts 28:10 (NASB95)
10 They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.
2. Joseph -
9 “Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, And as a lion, who dares rouse him up? 10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 11 “He ties his foal to the vine, And his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; He washes his garments in wine, And his robes in the blood of grapes.
3. Jesus and his Mother -
26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.
4. Jesus Christ honored his Father -
Philippians 2:5–11 (NASB95)
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
SO WHAT?
Believer’s - may we be a church that is committed to honoring the widows within our Church!