Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.
The command was given by Christ Himself through Moses on the mount as part of the instruction of Exodus 19-24, coming after the Ten Commandments as specifications to guide Israel in treatment of one another. In those statutes He gave special directions and guarded the interests of His people, especially the poor, training them by these communications in how to obtain strength and ability from the people. No widow or fatherless child is to be caused suffering or affliction in any way, and no injustice is to be done to them. The prohibition guards especially those who need help and cannot help themselves, expressing impartial care and exalted requirements.
Afflicting includes taking advantage of the poor to enrich self and to gain money and exaltation through riches and worldly honor, with widows and fatherless children especially in view. It includes unfair dealing in lending money and in taking a garment as a pledge. It also includes refusing to change course to help the needy, turning the ear from the plea of the fatherless, treating the widow's tears and prayers for her fatherless children as nothing, and neglecting or injuring the helpless. The blind have often been treated in the same merciless way.
God hears the cries of widows and fatherless children when they cry to Him, takes up the cause of the afflicted and oppressed, and carefully guards their interests. Because He is gracious He will surely bring into judgment those who disregard the shielding rules He laid down to protect them from harm. Oppressors will face His judgment, and those who dealt without mercy with those who begged for aid will be dealt with as they dealt.
Before the first advent of the Son of God the corrupt and hypocritical Jewish priesthood broke this command while retaining outward forms, ceremonies, zeal, and show of piety and strict law-keeping without personal piety and virtuous character. They improved every opportunity to take advantage of the poor, exacting heavy sums on various pretenses for the Lord's treasury from the conscientious. What was thus dishonestly obtained they used for their own corrupt ambition and advantage. The direction is needed now just as verily as in the days of Moses, yet many depart from it. It should still be studied today and presented before the people in jots and tittles as appropriate for the occasion, calling for all contention to cease and for love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts, and it warns churches and those in positions of responsibility in institutions to learn not to neglect or injure the helpless.
The command was given by Christ Himself through Moses on the mount as part of the instruction of Exodus 19-24, coming after the Ten Commandments as specifications to guide Israel in treatment of one another. In those statutes He gave special directions and guarded the interests of His people, especially the poor, training them by these communications in how to obtain strength and ability from the people. No widow or fatherless child is to be caused suffering or affliction in any way, and no injustice is to be done to them. The prohibition guards especially those who need help and cannot help themselves, expressing impartial care and exalted requirements.
Afflicting includes taking advantage of the poor to enrich self and to gain money and exaltation through riches and worldly honor, with widows and fatherless children especially in view. It includes unfair dealing in lending money and in taking a garment as a pledge. It also includes refusing to change course to help the needy, turning the ear from the plea of the fatherless, treating the widow's tears and prayers for her fatherless children as nothing, and neglecting or injuring the helpless. The blind have often been treated in the same merciless way.
God hears the cries of widows and fatherless children when they cry to Him, takes up the cause of the afflicted and oppressed, and carefully guards their interests. Because He is gracious He will surely bring into judgment those who disregard the shielding rules He laid down to protect them from harm. Oppressors will face His judgment, and those who dealt without mercy with those who begged for aid will be dealt with as they dealt.
Before the first advent of the Son of God the corrupt and hypocritical Jewish priesthood broke this command while retaining outward forms, ceremonies, zeal, and show of piety and strict law-keeping without personal piety and virtuous character. They improved every opportunity to take advantage of the poor, exacting heavy sums on various pretenses for the Lord's treasury from the conscientious. What was thus dishonestly obtained they used for their own corrupt ambition and advantage. The direction is needed now just as verily as in the days of Moses, yet many depart from it. It should still be studied today and presented before the people in jots and tittles as appropriate for the occasion, calling for all contention to cease and for love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts, and it warns churches and those in positions of responsibility in institutions to learn not to neglect or injure the helpless.