But in addition, their situation is all-too-often unjust – demeaning, impoverished, voiceless.” 7īecause of the vulnerability of these groups, the rest of society can easily take advantage of them.

Widows are burglarized and assaulted episodes of injustice also occur in their lives. By contrast, it is all-too-likely that the daily condition of those at the bottom is unjust. If the victim of a robbery is a wealthy person, the robbery is an episode in a life that likely has been going quite nicely. Robbery and assault are events, episodes. “For any society whatsoever, it is likely that those at the bottom are suffering the most grievous injustice. Likewise in Deuteronomy 27: 19, God’s priests say, “Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.” He makes it clear in Jeremiah 22 that to “do what is just and right” is to “do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless, or the widow.” And if the king of Judah does not obey these commands, then “this palace will become a ruin.” 5 “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine,” the Son of Man declares, “you did for me.” 4Ĭonversely, the Lord promises ruin for those who wrong the vulnerable. Jesus makes a bold statement when He says those who clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and visit the prisoner will inherit the kingdom of God.

Throughout the Old Testament, God calls His people to “defend the poor and fatherless,” 1 “plead for the widow,” 2 and “plead the cause of the poor and needy.” 3Īs Zechariah 7:9-10 declares, true justice is showing mercy and compassion to the widow, the fatherless, the alien, and the poor. The Lord cares deeply about those living on the margins of society. In solidarity with the actions of such leaders, the Bible expresses particular concern for widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. Rather than discounting their efforts, I am urging us to see their achievements in a new light – to see them as part of restoring the world to its originally intended state to see them as working hand-in-hand with the common man’s daily actions of justice and righteousness. On the contrary, I greatly respect and admire these men and women who have brought about substantial, necessary change in the world. It would also cheapen the bold, world-changing efforts of men and women like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Dorothea Dix, along with the many unsung heroes I know who give their lives to serving the vulnerable.

To do so would show disregard for a clear biblical mandate. What I’ve been saying about justice and righteousness over the past few weeks is not meant to discount an emphasis on the marginalized.

Jesus widows and orphans