"4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?" (Luke 18: 4-7)
A widow is a picture of complete lack and neglect and weakness. In ancient times, a widow was as good as dead, with no man, no support, no sustenance, no standing in the community.
In the Book of Exodus, the LORD pronounced a special blessing and covering for widows:
"Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless." (Exodus 22: 23-24)
The unjust judge was so hard, so foolish, that he apparently did not fear the judgment of God, which he pronounced in the second Book of Moses. Yet if this unjust judge could be wearied by the plight of a widow, how much more do you think, then Jesus will move in our lives when we call on Him:
"8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke15: 8)
Faith, both in Hebrew as well as Greek, speaks of a complete dependence on God, for everything! By faith, we receive God's grace and righteousness (Romans 5: 17), that in Christ we may reign in this life, as well as in the life to come in eternity.
Jesus promotes dependent people, people who will not look to themselves for anything, and look to Christ for everything. In such people indeed, Jesus finds faith, because such people live by the very faith of the Son of God (Galatians 2: 20-21).
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