I started yesterday with Nahum 3:5-6
Today we’ll keep it in the Old Testament with another seemingly non-uplifting verse:
Exodus 22:22-24
There are tons of these types of verses in the books of the law that are never going to see time in a top ten list of encouraging verses. But they should. The encouraging thing about a provision in the law specifically calling for the protection of orphans and widows? Those are the most marginalized segments of society. Nobody can read that kind of provision and then turn around and say “God doesn’t care about me.” In fact, God cares so deeply for his people that he will kill with the sword anyone who doesn’t care for even the least of them.
But the real encouragement in this verse is again that it points to Christ. All of us, at some point in our lives, have failed to care for (and have thereby afflicted) widows and orphans. This verse would be crushing, apart from Christ, because we find ourselves on the receiving end of God’s death penalty. But God’s wrath was kindled against Christ, and he killed him.
And we get credited Christ’s righteousness.