This week we'll look at another widow in the Christmas story. Did you know God places widows at many strategic points in His revelation to mankind? Just think:
- Old Testament law included widows
- Old Testament history included stories of widows to point out God's redemption, justice and care
- Widows were a focal point in the ministry of the early church in Acts
- Over and over again throughout the Bible, God mentions the widow
- There's even a widow in the Christmas story when Jesus is presented at the Temple on the 8th day!
There
was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was
very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and
then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but
worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks
to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the
redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 (NIV) 
Anna-- a widow --was among the first to proclaim that Jesus was the redeemer of Israel!
Anna-- a widow --was among the first to proclaim that Jesus was the redeemer of Israel!
Don't you love it--not only that God includes widows, but that this little old lady was preaching the good news? What would God have us proclaim about Him today? We're never too old, we're never useless. There's no retirement age in God's "social security" plan. Old and young alike, if we're in Him-- we have good news to proclaim to a hurting world!
♥ ferree
It is an awesome thought the special place we as widows have in the kingdom of God and in His heart!
ReplyDeleteThis has really opened my eyes to how much God cares about us widows. Really puts things in perspective for me.
ReplyDeleteAnother provision under Old Testament Law - - of the Mosaic Law exempted the widow from tithing. The tithe was to be proportionately divided to the Priests, the fatherless, the stranger and the widow's of the land.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the New Testament parable of the "widow's mite" this wasn't about sacrificial giving but about the Scribes and Pharisees who were going in and devouring the houses of widows. Jesus was angry because they took all she had to live on.
The early manuscripts were not broken down into verses and chapters as this parable has been, this one parable has been taken out of context and twisted into coercion towards the widow.
Old Testament Job speaks strongly about the overly righteous trying to make the widow to sign a pledge. This would not be a popular topic in today's New Testament Church age.
Jehovah Jireh (meaning God will provide) is for all God's children but to the widow it is especially beloved . God promises to establish our borders.
Ferree I loved what you said a few blogs back " I am not alone, God did not abandoned me" As we study and see God's wonderful care and provision for widows we are so deeply loved.
Your words are so touching---they show the profound ways God's Word ministers to us and shows us His great love. I've seen widows use that word "abandoned" a few times this week, and I know I've felt that way too. It's an awful deception. But the truth is we are deeply and tenderly loved. Thank you all for sharing your insights.They mean so much!
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