Orphans and widows have mostly been vulnerable members of the society. In developed countries, the situation may be better because of structures that have been put in place to ensure that they are not victimized by the society. However for most developing countries, even in the presence of laws that protect their rights, there are still societal norms that makes life uncomfortable for some orphans and widows. Also, the fact the investment and saving for the future is not considered a “big thing” in most developing countries, the death of the breadwinner tends to bring a family breakdown. The widows become susceptible to debts, pain, extreme grief and sometimes lack accomodation. Similarly, the children are are left without a guardian and their education is halted when there is lack of resources to sustain them. This is not a 21st century trouble. In fact, it has been a general trouble for millenia.
In 2 Kings 4: 1-7: “The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord . But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” The miracle helped the widow to pay off her debts and take care of her children.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (Psalms 68:5)
This miracle shows the very nature of God: “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalms 68:5). Since the creation of the world, God has always put systems in place to ensure that widows and orphans are not victimized. In fact, there several Bible verses that teach us to emulate this very nature of God. James 1:27 states that, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” God warns us not to mistreat widows and orphans (Exodus 22:22). Malachi 3:5 shows that those who afflict widows and orphans will be judged. God executes justice for the widow and the orphan (Deuteronomy 10:18). Even the Holy Spirit was given to the church so we will not be orphans (John 14:18). Knowing that God desires a better world and safer society for widows and orphans, we should be spurned on to doing good and imitating the same attitude. Support widows and orphans and show them compassion.
FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS
“I don’t know how, to say what I’m feeling.
I don’t have words, to write you a song.
But I have this hope and I have this prayer,
and I am believing.
Your words are true,
You never leave us alone.
Father of the fatherless, come down and rescue us
we need you, we need you again
Friend of the friendless, come down and visit us,
we need you, we need you again
How many sons, have cried for their fathers.
and how many fathers, have cried like a son
(Jason Upton, 2007)
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