“Shall Not God Avenge His Own?”
101
Christ here draws a sharp contrast between the unjust judge and God.
The judge yielded to the widow’s request merely through selfishness,
that he might be relieved of her importunity. He felt for her no pity
or compassion; her misery was nothing to him. How different is the
attitude of God toward those who seek Him. The appeals of the needy
and distressed are considered by Him with infinite compassion.
The woman who entreated the judge for justice had lost her hus-
band by death. Poor and friendless, she had no means of retrieving
her ruined fortunes. So by sin, man lost his connection with God. Of
himself he has no means of salvation. But in Christ we are brought
nigh unto the Father. The elect of God are dear to His heart. They are
those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, to
show forth His praise, to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world.
[166]
The unjust judge had no special interest in the widow who importuned
him for deliverance; yet in order to rid himself of her pitiful appeals,
he heard her plea, and delivered her from her adversary. But God loves
His children with infinite love. To Him the dearest object on earth is
His church.
“For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His
inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling
wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the
apple of His eye.”
Deuteronomy 32:9, 10
. “For thus saith the Lord of
hosts: After the glory hath He sent me unto the nations which spoiled
you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye.”
Zechariah
2:8
.
The widow’s prayer, “Avenge me”—“do me justice” (R.V.)—“of
mine adversary,” represents the prayer of God’s children. Satan is
their great adversary. He is the “accuser of our brethren,” who accuses
them before God day and night. (
Revelation 12:10
.) He is continually
working to misrepresent and accuse, to deceive and destroy the people
of God. And it is for deliverance from the power of Satan and his
agents that in this parable Christ teaches His disciples to pray.
In the prophecy of Zechariah is brought to view Satan’s accusing
work, and the work of Christ in resisting the adversary of His people.
The prophet says, “He showed me Joshua the high priest standing
before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to
resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O
Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not