THE PARABLES OF JESUS

PARABLE OF THE UNJUST JUDGE

Luke 18:1-8

INTRODUCTION

The parable of the unjust judge is also known as the parable of the persistent woman.

The parable teaches endurance in faith and patience. Don’t give up on God! He is a just God and will keep His promises.

THE PARABLE

The main characters in this parable are a widow and a judge.

Widows in Israel had a difficult time fending for themselves, and, even though there were laws in place to protect them, they were often taken advantage of in the business world of that day.

God’s word is clear about caring for widows and places a curse upon any who treat them unfairly.  Exodus 22:22-24; Deuteronomy 27:19

With her husband deceased the widow had to assume all legal and business responsibilities of the house. In court she was considered equal to a man. Numbers 30:9

Anyone wishing to deprive the widow of her legal rights would have to answer to God, the defender of widows Psalms 68:5

Despite God’s laws protecting widows, they were often taken advantage of and mistreated. Isaiah 1:23; Malachi 3:5

It was not uncommon in Israel to find unjust judges who would be swayed by money. Even today we hear of judges taking bribes. Deuteronomy 16:19

Jesus told his disciples about a widow in a certain town who had no one to defend her against an adversary and had to defend herself before an unjust judge.

The widow’s adversary didn’t even have to appear in court which may indicate the matter was settled with money behind closed doors.

From a legal standpoint the widow was helpless to persuade the judge to render her justice. But the one thing the widow did have was persistence and endurance. She went back to the judge day after day with the same request, “Grant me justice against my adversary.”

Perhaps behind the judge’s weariness with the widow’s persistence there was some compassion and mercy. Surely he could have had her thrown out and ordered not to come back or face imprisonment. Instead he relented, investigated her case, and executed justice.

APPLICATION

When Jesus says to His disciples, “Listen to what the unjust judge says,” He wants them to pay close attention to the very words of the judge. They are important for a correct understanding of the parable. Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow is persistent, I will see that she gets justice…

Jesus uses the rule of contrasts. He contrasts the worst in man to the best in God: This is what the unjust judge says and does. What do you think God does in regard to His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night?

The meaning is that if this grumpy judge, who by his own admission, listened to neither God nor man, gave in to the widow’s plea, how much more will God do justice for His own people who pray to Him day and night?

The judge listened to the widow for the wrong reason: to get her off his  back. God, by contrast listens to His people because He loves them and vindicates their cause. The judge acts selfishly; God acts in behalf of His people.

This parable by application teaches that God’s people should pray continually and not become weary when an answer is not immediately given.

God may keep His people waiting to exercise their patience and strengthen their faith, but at the proper time God will answer the prayers of His people. It may be a no, it may be a yes, or it may be in a way we did not expect.

God is not like the unjust judge who refused to listen to the widow’s plea. He is not like the unjust judge whose character could not be trusted. God is not annoyed when His people cry out to Him day and night.

God loves His people to come to Him in prayer but He will answer the prayers of His people in His time and in accordance with His plan.

Jesus ends the application of the parable by calling attention to His return: However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

By referring to His second coming, Jesus links the concept of waiting patiently upon God to answer your prayer for justice in this life to waiting upon God patiently for final justice of all things when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead.

In a way, the persistent widow is a picture of the church in prayer, waiting for Christ’s return to execute final justice and vindicate His followers.

By means of this parable, Jesus exhorts His followers to remain faithful even though His return may involve patient waiting. The souls of the ones slain because of the Word of God cry out, How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood? (Revelation 6:10).

Because Christ’s return may be a long time off (one day is a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years, one day) God’s people must persevere in faith and patience. Thus, Jesus says: When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?

So God’s chosen in all ages are not to lose heart. Christ return is certain. Continue to persevere in faith and patience until He comes again to execute final justice on earth.