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Gospel of Luke
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Luke 18: 1 - 8 > Parable of Persistent Widow
| Persistent Widow and Unjust Judge |
| Luke 18: 1 - 8 ( King James Version ) |
| And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; |
| verse 2 > Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man |
| verse 3 > And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. |
| verse 4 > And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; |
| verse 5 > Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. |
| verse 6 > And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. |
| verse 7 > And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? |
| verse 8 > I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? |
| Luke 18: 1 - 8 ( New International Version ) |
| Then Jesus told the disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up |
| v. 2 > He said, In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God mor cared about man |
| v. 3 > And there was a woman in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, "Grant me justice against my adversary." |
| v. 4 > For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, "Even if I don't fear God or care about men, |
| v. 5 > yet because this widow keeps bothering mem I will see that she gets justice, so that eh won't eventually wear me wout with her coming" |
| v. 6 > And the Lord said, 'Listen to what the unjust judge says |
| v. 7 > and will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? |
| v. 8 > I tell you , he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? |
| Text Quoted in Spirit of Prophecy |
| Could men see with heavenly vision, they would behold companies of angels that excel in strength stationed about those who have kept the word of Christ's patience. With sympathizing tenderness, angels have witnessed their distress and have heard their prayers. They are waiting the word of their Commander to snatch them from their peril. But they must wait yet a little longer. The people of God must drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism. The very delay, so painful to them, is the best answer to their petitions. As they endeavor to wait trustingly for the Lord to work they are led to exercise faith, hope, and patience, which have been too little exercised during their religious experience. Yet for the elect's sake the time of trouble will be shortened. "Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him? . . . I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." Luke 18:7, 8. The end will come more quickly than men expect. The wheat will be gathered and bound in sheaves for the garner of God; the tares will be bound as fagots for the fires of destruction. Great Controversy, page 630.2 |
| Very precious was the instruction given to the disciples. The parable of the importunate widow and the friend asking for bread at midnight gave new force to His words, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9. And often their wavering faith was strengthened by the memory that Christ had said, "Shall not God do justice for His elect, which cry to Him day and night, and He is long-suffering over them? I say unto you, that He will do them justice speedily." Luke 18:7, 8, R. V., margin. {DA 495.3} |
| The judge yielded to the widow's request merely because of selfishness, that he might be relieved of her importunity. How different is God's attitude in regard to prayer! Our heavenly Father may not seem to respond immediately to the prayers and appeals of His people; but He never turns from them indifferently. In this parable and the parable of the man rising at midnight to supply his friend's necessity, that the friend might minister to a needy, wayfaring man, we are taught that God hears our prayers. Too often we think that our petitions are unheard, and we cherish unbelief, distrusting God when we should claim the promise, "Ask, and it shall be given you seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Let us draw the instruction that we should from these parables. The Lord is our judge; He is our lawgiver. We give evidence of the strong ground of our confidence in God by importunate prayer, combined with good works. But faith without works is dead, being alone. {ST, September 15, 1898 par. 5} |
| As we see so little burden of the work resting upon ministers and people, we inquire: When the Lord comes, shall He find faith on the earth? It is faith that is lacking. God has an abundance of grace and power awaiting our demand. But the reason we do not feel our great need of it is because we look to ourselves and not to Jesus. We do not exalt Jesus and rely wholly upon His merits. {5T 167.1} |
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