For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
1 Tim. 5
Why did the church care for widows, and what were the requirements and restrictions? Taking care of the widows in the early Church was not a welfare program! Quite the opposite, really. The list of widows Paul mentioned has the appearance of a sort of job in the Church. Very interesting. This job involves both eligibility requirements and a commitment. To be eligible for this job, a widow truly had to be alone, with little prospect of that situation changing. Thus, she had no family to take care of her and she was over 60 so not likely to remarry. Also, her life needed to reflect her faith. If she had been devoted to her husband and to doing good for others before becoming a widow, it was likely she would be committed in putting her devotion fully toward God and continuing in her good deeds. That was the job.
As for the commitment to the job, we see that requirement in Paul’s reluctance to allow younger widows on the list. Being young, they are far more likely to desire marriage again, which would render them ineligible to continue in the job of devoting themselves fully to God in prayer and service to others. “Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge.” (1 Tim. 5:12). I admit, I am not 100% sure what Paul’s statement actually means. It is clear, though, that the remarrying in itself is not the issue, as Paul encourages them to do so rather than put themselves on the list. So it seems, from the context, that the pledge refers to a commitment to God.
Paul also noted the younger women’s greater tendency to become idle busybodies and gossipers. Perhaps this is because they have not yet established a life of faithfulness and good deeds through the responsibilities of being a wife and/or a mother for many years. Whatever the reason, though, it is yet another indication that Paul is not interested in welfare as we know it today.
Job 22-24
Of what does Eliphaz accuse Job? What does Job wish he could do in response? Wow – it just keeps getting worse! At this point, Eliphaz was simply making things up! I guess since Job wouldn’t admit his sins, Eliphaz felt the need to attribute some to him. And what a list! Again I ask, did these men not know their friend at all? Yet this is the progression when we give ourselves over to our pride. At the start, we assert our understanding, which equates to our version of the truth. When the mirror of real truth rises in front of our face, we turn it away and start projecting our wrongs onto those around us. When that doesn’t satisfy, we progress to made-up lies. Such is the way of human nature.
However, I continue to see the answer to our human condition in Job’s complaints. “If only I could go to His dwelling! …He would not press charges against me….there I would be delivered forever from my judge.” (From Job 23: 3b-7). Sure enough – Jesus brought God’s dwelling to us. When we enter into relationship with Jesus, there we are delivered forever from God’s judgment.