It is amazing how much is in Scripture on orphans and widows (or helpless) and it is so easy to read over.
From today's reading, we shouldn't punish children for the sins of their parents.
"“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.So, if a child was born under poor circumstances with irresponsible parents, God is saying, "it's not their fault."
And goes on to speak of we should feel some individual responsibility, that involves a personal material sacrifice, for the sojourner, the fatherless and the widow. This was written obviously to an agrarian society but the principles are the same.
“You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow's garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.
“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this."
'via Blog this'
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