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<DIV><FONT size=4> I believe here it is not the persistence of the widow
which is in focus, but rather the character of God which inspires and rewards
persistence.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>God is good. God is righteous and just. God does not need to
be forced to bring about justice by His saints. God has promised to do so, and
He will. His love of justice, His love for His own (and His compassion for the
oppressed) predispose Him to act to bring about justice. It is this positive
aspect of His character which promotes the perseverance of the saints in prayer,
while it is the very wickedness of the unjust judge which required the same
perseverance from the widow. The character of God is our motivation not to lose
heart and to press on in prayer for His coming and for the establishment of
justice on the earth.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://bible.org/seriespage/piety-persistence-penitence-and-prayer-luke-181-14">http://bible.org/seriespage/piety-persistence-penitence-and-prayer-luke-181-14</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Biblical Studies Foundation <BR>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>In the latter part of the First Century, Peter wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE>"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers
will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say,
"Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything
goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.... <BR><BR>"But do not
forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand
years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping
his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting
anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord
will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements
will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid
bare." (2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-10)</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>When Jesus comes it will be at the right time. Not our time or our
preference, but God's -- the right time. </P></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/18_1-8.htm">http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/18_1-8.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Ralph F. Wilson<BR>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>We don't often see the results of our effort right away.
Indeed, as I have lived longer, I would say that the <EM>earliest</EM> that you
often see the fruit of a <EM>brilliant idea</EM> is 15 years. <STRONG>Ideas are
incubated for decades before they seem to catch wind and be taken up in popular
culture.</STRONG> The same can often be said about art. Often what we will later
honor as amazing or breathtaking art wasn't well received even in the artist's
lifetime. Witness the reception of the Dutch artist Vermeer's work. In his
lifetime he was shunned or not widely known; now we make films about him
(<EM>Girl with a Pearl Earring </EM>(2003)). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><A
href="http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Lk18.html">http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Lk18.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>William R. Long, 2007</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>...many insurance companies deal with claimants whose claims
aren't immediately justified. They don't respond or they give people the "run
around." Why? Because they know that 50% of people, when told that there is no
coverage or that it looks like such-and-such may not be covered, will not fight
the issue. The claimant becomes discouraged and goes away. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><><BR><SPAN
id=icePage_SearchResults_ResultsRepeaterByRelevance_ResultRepeaterWeb_ctl10_WebResult_ListingDescription>[A
<STRONG>fortiori</STRONG>: Translation: "Even more so; by a stronger reason"
(Latin)]</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT size=4>...Jesus' ... <STRONG>uses a technique in rhetoric
called the <EM>a fortiori argument</EM>.</STRONG> That is, if the judge, who has
no regard for humans or God, grants justice to a persistent widow, <STRONG>how
much more will God do the same to those who persist in
prayer.</STRONG></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><SPAN></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Lk18II.html"><FONT
size=4>http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryIII/Lk18II.html</FONT></A></DIV><FONT
size=4>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>William R. Long, 2007</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
<DIV></FONT><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>The word for justice [GSN1557 ekdikesis] is a dual-edged
sword. It not only means to <EM>give justice</EM> but it also means to
<EM>exact punishment</EM>. When we say, “life is not fair,” nine times out
of ten it is because we (humans) have made it so. In most cases, either
someone did not give justice or someone took it away. Christ’s justice
will be given to those from whom it was stolen and exacted from those withheld
it from others. Upon which side of that coin will I be found?</DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=4><A
href="http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/Luke/lk_18_01-08.htm">http://onefamilyoutreach.com/bible/Luke/lk_18_01-08.htm</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>Source: Jerry Goebel: 2007 © </FONT><A
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single"
href="http://onefamilyoutreach.com/"><FONT
size=4>http://onefamilyoutreach.com</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4>- - - - -</FONT></DIV>
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