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THE JUDGE - Whether there was an official judicial system in each town or only prominent,
capable persons who took on such tasks is immaterial to the story in the parable. But the
description about the "judge" is interesting: "neither feared God nor cared
about human beings." According to the Anchor Bible, this description or
variations of it show up in extra biblical writings. E.g. "neither reverent toward
God nor fair toward human beings," in Josephus’ Antiquities. [1]
THE WIDOW - In this story, the widow is seen as a woman deprived of
equity and as a plaintiff in some lawsuit. Was she one of those whose "houses"
were being devoured (see 20:47)? She fits the OT picture of the widow to whom justice is
often denied. See also Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 10:18, 24:17; Mal. 3:5; Ruth 1:20-21. Also
recall the implication that comes with widowhood in biblical times: disgrace. The widow is
an example of Luke’s "outcast" category of people to whom Jesus’
message was specially addressed. [2]
What do we learn about prayer in this parable? Probably a lesson similar to the truth
about the guy who hammers on the door of his buddy at midnight for some bread to give his
guest. In both cases prayer is showcased as continual and unrelenting, hurling its
petitions against long periods of silence. [3] Prayer is asking, seeking, knocking, and
waiting, trusting, fainting, and sometimes growing angry. [4]
connections
Have you ever been tempted to give up on prayer? Have you ever been
discouraged by continued prayer for something or situation? You might want to think about
prayer experiences in which we have been tempted to "lose heart."
gambits
Here is an entry that the proclaimer that use to lead listeners to the
truth of this parable:
There are two characters in this parable, and
the unjust judge’s failure to fear God or be concerned about the needs of other
people establishes him as the antithesis of God’s just and compassion for the
oppressed . . .
Once God’s compassionate nature has been clearly stated, then the call to pray
and not lose heart takes on a different tone. The God to whom we pray is compassionate,
ready to respond to the needs of the powerless and oppressed. How does such a God hear our
prayers if they are self-centered, concerned only with petty issues, or irrelevant to
God’s redemptive purposes? To those who are worn out, hard pressed, and lacking in
hope, Jesus says to pray night and day. Unlike an unjust judge, God cares about the plight
of those who are regarded unimportant by others. To those who have it in their power to
relieve the distress of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger but do not, the call to
pray night and day is a command to let the priorities of God’s compassion reorder the
priorities of their lives. [5]
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[1] The Anchor Bible: The Gospel According to Luke X-XXIV (New York:
Doubleday and Co, 1985), page 1178.
[2] Ibid., page 1180.
[3] Ibid, page 209.
[4] Ibid, page 210.
[5] New Interpreter’s Bible IX (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1995), page 339.
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