Widows and orphans occupy a special place in the care of the Almighty. According to Psalm 68:5, “A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”

Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, we see consistent proof of the Lord’s provision for women who have lost their husbands in death. Here are a few of the gracious provisions that the Lord provided for these special ones who are the objects of His care under the Old Testament legal system.

Widows enjoyed special protection in the court system of Israel.

Widows and orphans often have no earthly defender to plead for them before the courts of law. As a result, widows were often abused and neglected in the ancient world, particularly among civilizations such as the Egyptian and Sumerian empires. The Lord made a specific, written requirement that the judges of Israel must take special care not to oppress a widow.

“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless” (Exodus 22:22–24).

How can we honor the example of this law in our modern society today? Christian judges and magistrates should take extra special care to see that widows receive justice. Christian attorneys can prayerfully consider taking widows as pro bono clients. Relatives of widows can invest time to help them with taxes, paperwork, insurance claims, and funeral and estate arrangements. We would do well to remember that, according to Deuteronomy 27:19, God’s curse will come upon anyone who afflicts “the stranger, fatherless, and widow.”

Widows were permitted to freely glean in the fields and vineyards.

Left without an ordinary means of financial support, widows often became impoverished. We see this illustrated throughout Biblical history. Elijah helped a widow who was on the point of starvation (see I Kings 17:10–15). Elisha assisted a widow who was on the verge of sending her sons into bondage (see II Kings 4:1–7). In the Law, the Lord graciously supplied a means of assistance for poor widows such as Naomi, whose daughter-in-law Ruth went to the barley fields to take advantage of this provision. Also, this provision which they availed resulted in great and unexpected blessing for both widows!

“When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:19–21).

How can we allow widows to glean today? Christian farmers and gardeners could welcome widows to come and gather produce freely, or owners could set aside harvested produce to give to them. Grocers and restaurant owners could give unused food to widows and orphans that would otherwise go to waste. Some churches stock a food pantry and make it available for widows in the community.

Be alert to opportunities to assist a widow. To forsake a widow reaps troubles for you, according to Job 22:9–10: “Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee.” As you care for those who are widows indeed, you will reap peace and also honor God, the defender of widows.