The Ignoring Judge - Luke 18:4

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus, “spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man. And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of my adversary”, and in chapter eighteen and verse four of his book Luke wrote how Jesus says the judge, “would not for a while” where we read:

And he would not for a while:

but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

The verse reads, “And he would not for a while:” Luke began with the words, “and he would not” or “and the judge resolved, determined, desired, purposed, wished not to avenge the widow of her adversary” “for a while” which means “upon a time whether long or short”. Luke shared how Jesus said the “judge” would not respond to the “widow's” request for some time.

The verse goes on to say, “but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;” Luke continued with the words, “but afterward” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover after that period of time went by” “he said within himself” which means “the judge uttered, declared and proclaimed within his own self”, “though I fear not God” or “even so, indeed and also I, the judge, am not in awe of, in fear of or reverence and venerate the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “nor regard man” which means “no and not in any way respect and honor people whether male or female”. Luke shared how Jesus referred to the “delay” taken by the “judge” until some time passed and he noted his own “lack of awe” to God and “disregard” of people.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we begin to see the resistance of the “judge” beginning to fade. This “widow” was persistent, and when this “judge” did not answer her request right away, she kept asking. Her actions caused the “judge” to reevaluate, and God's desire is for people to learn how He desires to have people come to Him in the same manner as this widow. Those who are wise will receive God's Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord” and come to Him persistently with whatever they have need.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells how the judge says, “because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".