Exodus 22:22-24
Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
Ordained to be protected and cared for by the Most High throughout all the land were the Widows and Orphans. Along side the Levite Priest, We as a nation of people always cared for this particular group of our community with special care.
Facing capital punishment if not diligently done so, our forefathers and fore mothers contributed monetary and non-monetary supplies to the treasuries for their provisions. Perhaps the most notable widows and orphans mentioned in the book of the Law are:
Tamar the widow (Genesis 38:11) The Widow and vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:1)
Judith wife of Manasses of the tribe of Simeon (Book of Judith 8:4;9:2)
Women of Israel (Isaiah Chapter 4)
Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-37)
Widow of Zarephath who feed the Prophet Elijah(1 Kings 17:9)
and countless others........
From beginning to end, in the book of the Law, our Father unconditionally expresses His great care and mercy for them. One wonderful example in the
2 book of Maccabees conceivably displays HIS solemness! A messenger Heliodorus because of the King's commandment was brutally beaten to the brink of death for attempting to take the temple's treasuries which include the monies to care for them.
An inference of a widow's life experience can be seen in the WORD. For instance, her style of dress (Genesis38:14 Judith 10:3) her financial status
(1 Kings 17:12,Job 24:3) how she raises her children and so forth. It's not a pleasant pill to swallow knowing we as a nation of people haven't always been trustworthy when caring for our sisters and orphans, but the FATHER has been merciful to the nation of Israel.
As an Israelite, let us always consider our widows and orphans.
Other scripture locations include: Exodus 22:22-24, Leviticus 21:14 22:13, Numbers 30:9, Deut 10:18,
Deut 14:29, 24:17-20, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 146:9, Proverbs 15:25, Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40,Luke 7:12,Acts 9:39
2 Esdras 2:20
“Do right to the widow, judge for the fatherless, give to the poor, defend the orphan, clothe the naked,
