1 Chronicles 8:1–40, 1 Timothy 5:10–17, Psalm 78:53–72
Today’s Old Testament passage reminds me why doing family
tree research is both exciting and frustrating. Yesterday, I found some
interesting tidbits in the history of Israel. Today I found this... and much more
just like it:
“Benjamin fathered Bela his
firstborn, Ashbel the second, Aharah the third, Nohah the fourth, and Rapha the
fifth. And Bela had sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, Gera,
Shephuphan, and Huram. These are the sons of Ehud (they were heads of fathers’
houses of the inhabitants of Geba, and they were carried into exile to
Manahath): Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera, that is, Heglam, who fathered Uzza and
Ahihud. And Shaharaim fathered sons in the country of Moab after he had sent
away Hushim and Baara his wives. He fathered sons by Hodesh his wife: Jobab,
Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of
fathers’ houses. He also fathered sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal. The sons
of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns....”
(1 Chronicles 8:1–12)
This information is included in the Word of God for a
reason, but today that reason is beyond my grasp!
The NT reading is more practical but still a puzzle. There
is not much explanation for these verses regarding the church’s care for widows,
but a few principles can be seen...
“Let a widow be enrolled if
she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband,
and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has
shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the
afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll
younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire
to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.
Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not
only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I
would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and
give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after
Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for
them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are
truly widows.” (1 Timothy 5:9–16)
Obviously the church had a list of widows that they
supported. Apparently they expected those under sixty to take care of
themselves or be cared for by their family. Yet being on the list also included
the lifestyle of the widow. Had she shown herself to be a godly person? Was she
doing good things?
The younger widows seem to be forbidden to remarry yet
verse 15 says otherwise. Certainly the phrase about their passions drawing them
away from Christ was something far more serious. In that culture wives usually
took the religion of their husband so Paul might have been referring to some
who were marrying outside their faith.
He also seemed concerned about widows remarrying for financial
support that would free them to idly spend their time in gossip and other
folly. Some had “already strayed after Satan” so Paul obviously was writing
about a particular issue in that church.
It made me think of the issues concerning widows today.
Financial care now comes from government social programs, not the church. Yet
widows are lonely, often taken advantage of by unscrupulous people, even their
own family members. They have practical and medical needs. Those who have lived
for Jesus may not struggle with sins like gossip and meddling, but they will need
to be encouraged in their spiritual lives and respected for their age and
wisdom. Most congregations could do better in caring for widows.
The reading from the psalms surprised me with a short bit
about widows as well. In this passage, God was angry with His people for
straying into idolatry and other sin. “He gave his
people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage. Fire devoured
their young men, and their young women had no marriage song. Their priests fell
by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.” However, in mercy
He did not stay angry... “Then the Lord awoke as
from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine. And he put his
adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame.” (Psalm 78:62–66)
The widows in that day also suffered under the hand of
God, yet they did not cry out to Him with a lament normally to express sorrow
for sin. Their lives were in great peril, yet sadly without repentance. This is
horrifying, yet God continues with His promise to send a shepherd (David) to
lead them, hinting at His eventual plan to send another Shepherd, also known as the
Lamb of God who would deliver all His people from their sin.
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