The parable of the unjust judge and persistent widow who demanded justice illustrates that widows were often vulnerable in legal settings where judges sometimes took bribes from the women’s opponents (Luke 18:1–8). The author of 1 Timothy also thought that younger widows are “idle gossips and busybodies” (1 Timothy 5:13). We do not hear the widows’ side of the story, but this passage attests to the presence of outspoken women. Indeed, the early church provided widows with economic support and ministerial roles. The Bible also praises widows for using their own wits and ingenuity, acting assertively to ensure justice for themselves and their family members.
This message is an excerpt from “The Widow’s Tale” by Joy A. Schroeder in the November 2013 issue of Gather magazine
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