“Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor the fatherless, nor take a widow’s raiment for the pledge” (Deuteronomy 24:17).
John Gill writes this about the first part of today’s verse: “’Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless…’—who are unable to defend themselves, and have but few, if any, to take their part; and therefore particular care should be taken by judges and civil magistrates to do them justice, or God will require it of them:”
God did not want anything taken from a widow as a pledge for a debt. All she might have had were the clothes on her back. Taking anything away would only add to her grief. One of the many things on the mind of God was easing a widow’s grief. One way of helping widows then (as well as now) was not taking advantage of them. Widows are very vulnerable in their grief. The fatherless and the stranger often find themselves in this same state.
God admonishes all His children to look after widows. Be aware of their problems and needs. As a widow myself, I thank God for all those who still come to my rescue.
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Continue in prayer for Free Will Baptist 2013 Convention planners meeting together this week in Tampa.
