Widows hold a special place in God’s heart, and the Bible emphasizes their value and care. From stories of strong widows to commands for their protection, Scripture has much to say. Today, let’s explore how God’s Word honors widows and offers them hope.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Bringing Up The Past
What Does The Bible Say About A Widow
Deuteronomy 10:18
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”
This verse highlights God’s heart for the vulnerable in society, including widows. It emphasizes His commitment to defend and provide for them, showing His love and care for their well-being.
God’s concern for widows is not limited to material provision but extends to their overall welfare and protection. This verse encourages believers to emulate God’s example by showing compassion and support to widows in their communities.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James reminds us of the practical expression of true religion – caring for widows in their time of need. This involves providing both emotional and material support, reflecting God’s heart for those who have lost their spouses.
Furthermore, this verse points out that our service to widows should be accompanied by personal holiness and purity, as we strive to maintain a godly lifestyle amidst worldly influences.
Psalm 68:5
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.”
In this verse, God is depicted as one who fills the role of both a father to the fatherless and a defender of widows. He steps in to provide the love, care, and protection that these vulnerable individuals need.
Recognizing God’s character and His heart for those who have lost their spouses, we are encouraged to depend on Him and seek His guidance in our efforts to support and uplift widows.
1 Timothy 5:3
“Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”
The apostle Paul instructs the early church to prioritize their care for widows who are truly in need. This verse emphasizes the importance of discernment in identifying and assisting widows who require assistance.
It reminds believers not to neglect the genuine needs of widows and to treat them with honor and respect, valuing their contributions to the community and addressing their specific circumstances.
Psalm 146:9
“The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
This verse reaffirms God’s faithfulness in caring for the vulnerable, including widows. It emphasizes His role as their sustainer and protector, promising that He will frustrate the plans of the wicked who may seek to exploit or harm them.
In light of this, believers are encouraged to trust in God’s provision and take comfort in knowing that He watches over and strengthens widows in their time of need.
Mark 12:40
“They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Jesus, in his teachings, warns against the hypocrisy of religious leaders who exploit widows instead of offering genuine support. He condemns those who use their status for personal gain while neglecting the welfare of vulnerable individuals.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and sincerity in our interactions with widows and the need to provide genuine assistance without exploiting their vulnerability.
Psalm 82:3
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
In this verse, believers are called to stand up for the rights and well-being of those who are weak and vulnerable, including widows. It urges us to advocate for their needs, protect their rights, and ensure they are treated justly.
By defending widows and championing their cause, we align ourselves with God’s heart for justice and mercy, exemplifying His love and care for those who have experienced loss.
Ruth 1:5
“…and both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband.”
This verse portrays the loss experienced by Naomi, who becomes a widow after her husband and sons die. It highlights the emotional and relational hardships that widows may encounter, as they navigate life without their family.
This account serves as a reminder that widows often face significant challenges and the need for compassionate support from their communities during such difficult times.
1 Timothy 5:5
“The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.”
This verse depicts the faith and dependence on God demonstrated by widows who find themselves in desperate situations. It emphasizes their resilience and their continual supplication to the Lord.
As believers, we are called to come alongside widows, offering them spiritual encouragement and support, while also recognizing their faith as an inspiration to us in our own walk with God.
Luke 21:2-3
“He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others.'”
In this passage, Jesus observes a widow giving a small offering with great sacrificial value. He acknowledges her act of faith and sacrifice, exalting her gift above those who contributed more materially.
This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly insignificant contributions from widows should be acknowledged and valued, highlighting the importance of recognizing their unique perspectives and contributions within the body of Christ.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Isaiah calls believers to actively pursue justice and defend those who are oppressed, including widows. He encourages us to advocate for their needs and stand as their allies in the face of injustice.
This verse compels us to use our voices and influence to address the societal issues affecting widows, ensuring they receive fair treatment, support, and opportunities to thrive.
Luke 7:12-13
“As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.'”
In this touching encounter, Jesus encounters a widow grieving the loss of her only son. Moved with compassion, He consoles and encourages her, telling her not to weep.
Through this interaction, Jesus demonstrates His tender care for widows, showing us the importance of extending empathy, comfort, and support to those who have lost their loved ones.
Psalm 68:6
“God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”
This verse emphasizes God’s desire to provide a sense of belonging and community for the lonely, including widows. It highlights His ability to bring comfort, restoration, and joy to those who feel isolated.
As believers, we are called to be agents of God’s love, offering widows a place of refuge and support within the church family, ensuring they are not left to face their challenges alone.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
This verse serves as a reminder to widows (and all believers) that they can bring their worries, burdens, and anxieties to God, knowing that He cares for them deeply.
In times of grief, uncertainty, and difficulty, widows are encouraged to seek solace in God’s loving presence, knowing that He is attentive to their needs and ready to provide comfort and strength.
Exodus 22:22
“Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.”
This verse cautions against exploiting the vulnerability of widows and fatherless children. It emphasizes the moral obligation to protect and assist them instead of taking advantage of their circumstances.
Believers are called to be advocates for justice, treating widows with kindness, respect, and fairness, and ensuring they are not subjected to any form of exploitation or mistreatment.
Proverbs 15:25
“The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.”
This verse portrays God’s intervention on behalf of widows, ensuring that they are provided for and protected. It conveys the idea that God safeguards their rights and establishes their security.
In our dealings with widows, we should be reminded of God’s faithfulness to nurture and restore their lives, affirming their worth and dignity within the community of believers.
Isaiah 54:4-5
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband—the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.”
Isaiah brings a message of comfort and assurance to widows, reminding them that God is their faithful companion and provider. He promises to remove their shame and make them whole.
This verse encourages widows to find solace in their relationship with God and to trust in His love and faithfulness, knowing that He will never forsake them.
Acts 6:1-4
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.'”
This passage depicts an early conflict over the care of widows within the early Church. The apostles recognized the importance of equitably attending to the needs of all widows, leading to the establishment of a system to ensure fair distribution of resources.
From this account, we learn the importance of organizing and prioritizing care for widows within the body of believers while also recognizing the significance of other essential ministries within the church.
Psalm 10:14
“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
This verse reassures widows that God sees and understands their afflictions and sorrows. It emphasizes His active involvement in their lives as their helper and source of strength.
When widows feel overwhelmed by their circumstances, they can find comfort in knowing that God is present, intimately aware of their challenges, and ready to come alongside them as their ultimate source of support.
Acts 9:36-39
“In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek, her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, ‘Please come at once!'”
This passage recounts the story of Dorcas, a widow known for her acts of kindness and generosity toward the poor. When she died, her friends urgently sought Peter’s intervention to restore her life.
Dorcas’ story inspires believers to emulate her compassion and service towards widows and those in need, leaving a legacy of love and selflessness in their own communities.
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
This verse showcases God’s heart for the brokenhearted and those who find themselves in distress. It reveals His mission to bring good news and freedom, including the restoration of widows who are mourning the loss of their spouses.
Believers are called to echo this mission by sharing the good news of the Gospel, extending comfort to widows, and allowing God’s healing and freedom to penetrate their lives.
Mark 12:42-44
“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'”
This account highlights the sacrificial giving of a poor widow who offered her meager possessions to God. Jesus recognizes her act of faith and selflessness, expressing that her gift surpassed the more substantial contributions of others.
This passage encourages widows and believers alike to understand that their offerings, no matter how small they might seem to others, hold great value when given with a willing and sincere heart.
1 Kings 17:8-16
“Then the word of the LORD came to him: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’ So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ ‘As surely as the LORD your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son so that we may eat it—and die.’ Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.”
In this narrative, God directs the prophet Elijah to a widow who will provide him with sustenance in a time of drought and famine. Despite her meager resources, the widow demonstrates obedience and faith in God’s promise through Elijah.
This account illustrates the provision and faithfulness of God towards widows. It serves as a reminder that even in times of scarcity, God can multiply and sustain what little we have when we trust Him.
Luke 18:1-5
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ ‘For some time he refused. But finally, he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!””
In this parable, Jesus illustrates the importance of persistence in prayer through the story of a persistent widow seeking justice from an unrighteous judge. Despite the judge’s initial indifference, he eventually grants her request due to her persistent appeals.
This parable encourages widows (and all believers) to have faith in God’s justice and to persistently bring their needs and requests before Him, trusting that He hears and acts on their behalf.
Job 29:12
“Because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist them.”
Job reflects on his righteous actions, including his commitment to assist the poor and fatherless. While not specifically mentioning widows, this verse demonstrates a similar compassionate attitude towards those in need.
It reminds us of the importance of reaching out to widows with practical assistance and support, fulfilling our role as instruments of God’s love and compassion in their lives.