God has a special plan for the most vulnerable persons in society.

Who are these people and why are they vulnerable?

The widows, fatherless, orphans, strangers, and other defenseless people are prone to be abused because they have no one to defend them.

Thus, the enemy specifically targeted them. But when they cry out to God during affliction the Lord promised to defend them speedily.

“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.

If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. (Exodus 22:21-24NKJV)

Other God-ordained Provisions for the defenseless

The Lord will administer justice to defend the widows and fatherless children.

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. (Deuteronomy 10:17-18NKJV)

The Lord feeds the defenseless

And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. (Deuteronomy 14:29)

The defenseless will celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) or Pentecost

And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the Lord thy God, according to as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there. (Deuteronomy 16:10-11)

The Lord made special requirements for the poor and strangers to glean freely during the harvest so that they too can enjoy the celebration.

The spiritual significance of this is that the Holy Spirit descended to earth on the day of Pentecost.

Therefore, everyone, even the defenseless is eligible to be empowered by the Holy Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Tithe of your increase is also ordained for the defenseless

During the year of tithing in the third year, a portion was also given to the strangers, the fatherless, and the widows.

“When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, (Deuteronomy 26:12)

True justice will be executed to the defenseless

The poor may not be able to afford a lawyer to plead their case but the Lord watches over the defenseless and defend their cause.

He will curse anyone who perverts the justice due to the widows, fatherless, and strangers.

‘Cursed the one who perverts the justice due to the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ (Deuteronomy 27:19NKJV)

“You shall not pervert the justice due to the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a 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 thing. (Deuteronomy 24:17-18NKJV)

Prayer

Lord, I am crying out to you O God because of the oppression of the defenseless. You said that you will be a Father to the fatherless child.

So, Abba Father, look down on your children in their bed of affliction. Hear our cry O God and answer speedily.

Let your wrath burns like fire upon the enemies and consumes them speedily.

Let your two-edged sword pierce the hearts of the enemies – the enemies of fear, anxiety, sickness, and diseases.

Destroy with the Word of your mouth the enemies of backbiting, slander, insanity, anger, rejection, jealousy, and loneliness.

Lord, help us to be more sensitive to the needy within our community. You give us wealth so that we can feed the poor but many have not obeyed your Word.

So the widows, strangers, and fatherless are left destitute.

Lord forgive us for neglecting our duties. Give us a heart like Christ.

A heart that is filled with love and compassion.

In the precious name of Jesus.  Amen.

Related posts: – Exemplifying Christ in Christmas; Living the Kingdom lifestyle