February 4, 2011 God's Heart of Care

God’s Heart of Care
Read Exodus 21-23

Ex 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 in the Hebrew culture were very vulnerable. A widow was without means to live. If she had no son, she had to rely on family or friends to support her. Orphans were outcasts, vulnerable to others’ abuse. Widows and orphans could legitimately be rejected in many cultures and literally left to die.
But our creator God gave life to those without hope. God seems to have a special heart for widows and orphans. Throughout scripture God pays special attention to them. The book of Ruth is about God bringing hope and new life to two widows, one of whom, Ruth, is a foreigner who marries into the lineage of Jesus’ human birth.
In these laws from today’s reading, you see God caring for women in many ways. As one who follows God, the direction is clear: care for those in need. God passionately hates those who take advantage of the broken and lost. His passion is 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 please your God.


Pause and Consider: God’s loving heart