Luke 18:2-82Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:2‑8)
“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 mine adversary. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” — Luke 18:2-82Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:2‑8).
The context tells us that this parable was given to the intent that” men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” And this is an important lesson, in more respects than one. There is force in the word always. Some can pray, and be at peace, when things are smooth and easy-going, but who are disconcerted when troubles arise — it is then that they faint. Others are too apt to neglect prayer when things are easy; they become indifferent and slothful, but are roused unto prayer when dangers arise. The parable was related, that men might learn to pray always, and never faint.
The parable is enforced by contrast, rather than by example. An unjust judge, one who fears not God, nor has respect for his fellow men, will listen to an importunate widow, rather than be worried by her perpetual appeal. And then comes the conclusion. If an unjust judge can be thus moved, what may we not expect from a just and merciful God? He will avenge His elect speedily, though He bears long with them.
But who are the “elect”? Israel was of old God’s elect nation (Isa. 14:44That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! (Isaiah 14:4)); and then there are those chosen of God to eternal life, as we see plainly in Rom. 8; Col. 3:1212Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12); 2 Timothy ii. 10; Titus 1:11Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; (Titus 1:1). And this brings out the contrast still stronger. There was no relationship between the widow and the unjust judge, and still she got what she required. But God has chosen His elect, brought them into relationship with Himself; how much more, then, will He hear and answer their cry? Yea, in Rom. 8, He asks,” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? .... Nay, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Neither can anything separate us from the love of God. Then we see that God loves those He chooses, and He will surely answer those He loves, and will do it” speedily,” in His own time.
Still, we doubt not that the u elect” in the parable refers primarily to Israel, as well the sentence that follows:” When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Here our Lord is referring to His earthly people. The church will have been taken up, but His elect nation will still be on the earth. Will He find them exercising faith in their God, and at peace; or will there rather be a cry of distress, when their Messiah appears? Many passages point out the distress of God’s ancient people at that time (Zech. 12:1010And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10)), and it will be only such as can by faith enter into the spirit of this parable that can be at peace. What power will these words have then -” Shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him?”
“How long, Ο Lord?” will be one of their bitter cries (see Psalm 79:55How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? (Psalm 79:5), &c). Though He bears long with them, I tell you” He will avenge them speedily.” Though sore judgments await unbelieving Israel, God’s chosen remnant will be heard, and be avenged.
And as surely will He hear us. The parable speaks of a widow, and in the East none are more forlorn and despised than a widow. It reminds-one of our Lord’s words:” The days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matt. 9:1515And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. (Matthew 9:15).) She had an adversary, too, and so have we — a subtle and dangerous foe. Let us, then, pray always, and faint not, for we have One who can deliver us from our adversaries, and who is more ready to answer than we are to ask, and who bid us open our mouths wide, and He will fill them.