NT Connections: Proverbs 25:15 and the Persistent Widow
Often the chapter and verse breaks in your Bible are helpful. On occasion they’ll keep us from understanding the text. Luke 18:1-8 is one of those places. It’s not hard to imagine someone closing up their Bible after Luke 17 and then the next morning picking back up in Luke 18. It’s how we tend to read. But the story of the persistent widow needs to be read with Jesus’ words about the coming kingdom in Luke 17:20-37.
The parable of the persistent widow is there to encourage suffering disciples to always be praying and to not lose heart. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be dejected. Don’t give in to cynicism or bitterness. Do not be overcome with negativity. Keep hoping.
The widow is a perfect picture of a believer suffering in the world. This widow wants justice. We do not know the details of her case—she is an unnamed widow in an unnamed city crying out day and night to a wicked judge. We pick up from the story that he is a powerful judge, holding the fate of this vulnerable woman in his hands. And he’s corrupt. What will happen?
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