God's Desire for Widows

Introduction

Today’s lesson is to reflect on God’s teaching concerning those who are widows. The Bible is not silent concerning this special group. When a spouse dies, it isn’t just grief that comes there also comes a number of potentially challenging issues.

There is a loss of identity. One who was identified as married is no longer married.

There is a loss of dreams. The dream of living life with a spouse has given way to the reality of being alone.

There may be financial challenges. Two incomes become one. If the spouse was the sole financial source then the financial difficulties become even more pronounced.

There may be children to raise and the challenge of trying to help them feel secure while one’s own insecurity is very challenging.

The Bible’s instructions toward and about widows leaves little doubt that widows have a special place in the heart of God.

Psalm 68:5 says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”

Psalm 146:9 says, “The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”

In 2 Kings 4:1-7 is the story of God miraculously providing for a widow and her two sons.

Luke 7:11-15, Jesus raises a boy to life so that he can care for his widowed mother.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29, food was to be set aside for the widows.

Deuteronomy 24:19, during the harvest sheaves of wheat were to be left so that the widow could have food.

Isaiah 1:17, the Israelites were to plead the case on behalf of the widow so she might have justice.

Exodus 22:22-24, mistreating a widow would bring God’s wrath.

Malachi 3:5, Ezekiel 22:7, and Jeremiah 7:6 describe Israel’s sin against the widows as proof for their punishment.

We see the practical application of caring for a widow in the story of Ruth and Naomi.

James 1:27 equates visiting the widows with the pure and undefiled walking with God.

Through his writers, God wants us to know that widows are to be taken care of either by their family or by the brothers and sisters that belong to God. Widows too have responsibilities which reflect the intent and purpose of God. Today as we study together, let’s pay close attention to not only the instructions in regards to those who are widows but also to how these instructions reflect the nature and character of God.

Texts

Throughout scripture, the roles of men and women were quite different from the cultural norms of today. The vast majority of women were not independently wealthy. Women married, had children, and provided for the home. Women saw their role as wife and mother filled with value and dignity. In fact, most women saw their role as a gift from God and believed that they were carrying on God’s purpose through the role of wife and mother.

Women at times found themselves widows. When the husband died, the woman had to often fend for herself financially and in raising the children. She could easily be taken advantage of by unscrupulous men. Even in the Gentile culture, widows were dependent upon male relatives to care for her. It is in this cultural context that we turn our attention to 1 Corinthians 7.

In this text, Paul is addressing a number of relational issues. The core issue seems to be proving one’s spiritual condition through these relationships. In verses 8 & 9, Paul commends the unmarried and widows for their singleness saying that remaining unmarried is good. But if remaining unmarried isn’t possible then they should marry for this too is good. At the end of chapter 7, Paul gives a command about the widow who remarries. In verse 39, the widow is to marry anyone she wishes but he must belong to the Lord.

Within this context, Paul has just written about the importance of keeping one’s focus on the Lord whether married or not. His point in verse 39 does not present a new command. Keeping one’s focus on the Lord is the key.

If a widow remarries, it is fine. But she should marry a man who is in the Lord so that her focus on God will remain intact. In verse 40, Paul says that remaining unmarried is probably better. As he said in verse 34, married women have divided interests. She wants to please the Lord but she also has to think about pleasing her husband. This command and its explanation have not changed. A widow or widower who remarries must consider remarrying a person who will assist in keeping one’s focus on the Lord.

Paul has much to say about widows in 1 Timothy 5. This text speaks not only to widows but addresses the congregation’s responsibility in regards to widows. Paul says there are two ways in which widows are to be taken care of. Either the family takes care of the widow or the congregation does. But the family’s care takes precedence over the congregation. The congregation gets involved only if there is no family. The refusal of the family to care for a widow is condemned. But Paul’s instructions go a bit further. If a widow is under the age of 60, she is encouraged to remarry. Paul is writing from both a practical and realistic point of view.

Practically, a younger widow Paul notes would have sexual desire. This desire is not to be ignored but to be fulfilled within marriage. Realistically, a younger widow being provided for financially by the congregation may not have the spiritual wisdom and maturity to use her time for God. Paul acknowledges that some younger widows have caused much disharmony within the congregation because of their lack of spiritual maturity. Thus, they should be encouraged to marry, have children, and take care of the home.

Older widows are encouraged to remain unmarried and to use their time to devote themselves to prayer and care for the saints. These good deeds would be a continuation of how they have been living their lives.

Application

Paul is dealing with issues within congregational life in Corinth and in Ephesus; however, the tenor of scripture is that widows deserve special attention. Congregationally we have a responsibility to care for those who find themselves single because of the death of a spouse. Financially if necessary but by all means through encouragement and inclusion within congregational life. It is the family’s responsibility to care for the widow. But in the absence of family then the congregation steps in financially if needed. This care includes visiting those who are widows.

Second, widows have a responsibility as well to be involved in congregational life. For older women this means finding ways to figuratively wash the feet of the saints. To assist in raising children, to teach younger women, to devote herself to prayer and to all kinds of good deeds. The death of a spouse does not mean the end of function. The challenges which come from loneliness and loss of identity can be reformed to serving others. Especially as we age, the ministry of prayer becomes all the more important to congregational life. We underestimate the importance and intensity of prayer to assist the saints in their walk of faith. Invitation.

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