Exodus 22:21-23
You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry;
God was speaking to His people then and God is speaking to His people now.
You and me.
Widows and orphans appear in the Bible 39 times.
God is concerned with how they are loved and cared for. That they are not turned away. They stand out in scripture as the most vulnerable and oppressed of all people groups.
We see in James 1:27
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.
*Keep that last part top of mind. Why would you need to guard yourself from being stained by the world by serving the widow and the orphan? Seems out of place….or is it?
A widow in Biblical times stood alone. She could not make even the most minor business transactions.
An orphan was completely at the mercy of the world.
Both widow and orphan lost.
Both without guidance.
Both are in need of love, care, generosity, and guidance.
But who is God speaking of?
The obvious and true is the poor among us and in other nations.
But what is the not-so-obvious truth here?
What is the SPIRITUAL TRUTH?
Those without a husband – the widow – the one who doesn’t know Christ Jesus and has not become His bride.
The orphan – one without a Father – the one who doesn’t call God, Abba Father.
The widow and the orphan are also…
THE UNSAVED
This is why you must guard yourself to not become stained by the world when serving them.
The SPIRITUAL widow and the SPIRITUAL orphan are ours to care for. This is yet another example of God saying…
“Bring them the gospel. I want them to come home.”
Care for them SPIRITUALLY.
Feed them THE BREAD OF LIFE.
Shelter them IN THE HOUSE OF PRAYER.
Let us be seekers of PURE RELIGION which is selflessly seeking THE LOST.
Read Exodus 22:21 again…
You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
ABBA IS SAYING – DON’T FORGET – THAT WAS ONCE YOU. DON’T FORGET WHERE I RESCUED YOU FROM.
Be goodness.
Be kindness.
Be love.
Be peaceable.
Pour out grace.
Pour our mercy.
1 Peter 3:15
Rather, revere Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be prepared to offer an explanation to anyone who asks you to justify the hope that is in you. However, do so with gentleness and respect.
Be like Jesus.
To learn more about Heidi and her Kingdom passion, visit Kingdom Come Home
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