God’s Heart of Care

Exodus 22:22-24 “You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. 23 If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry. 24 My anger will blaze against you, and I will kill you with the sword. Then your wives will be widows and your children fatherless.”
 
WIDOWS and orphans throughout all cultures in the world past and present have been very vulnerable. Often a widow suffers economically as she has no skills to replace her husband’s work. In some societies, she will even lose her home as it becomes the property of her deceased’s husband’s family. Orphans have also been outcasts, too, vulnerable to abuse, hunger and poverty. Widows and orphans can legitimately be rejected in many cultures and literally left to die. This was true across all cultures in Moses’ day and still today. Women left with children and children left without parents suffer incredible poverty and abuse.
      That is why God’s command here delivers a stern message to defend widows and orphans.. Those who disobeyed would be judged unto death. God loves the brokenhearted who live without hope. Psalms 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Throughout scripture God pays special attention to them. He commands we do the same.
      A good example of God’s love-centered laws to protect widows is in Ruth. You can read this short narrative today. Know this is about God’s tender care to give hope and new life to brokenhearted women who saw only darkness and death ahead. The widow Ruth, who was from Moab, even became King David’s great-grandmother. Out of God’s tender care to Ruth would come Jesus Christ, God’s greatest demonstration of his tender care for all of us who are born under sin’s crushing bondage.   
      If you say, “I follow Christ.” the direction is clear: care for those in need. God is passionate that people experience blessing. He calls on those who have material goods to share them with those who have legitimate needs. He commands those who have authority to protect the weak and vulnerable.
      Is there someone you know who needs special care today? Trust your heart to know God is speaking to you. Care for those God cares for, and honor your God.
     
LIFE Link: Help someone this week be safe in God’s tender care.