Deuteronomy 10:18
He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.
Deuteronomy 10:18
This verse highlights God’s concern for vulnerable groups—the fatherless and the widow—and His justice toward them. It also notes God’s hospitality to the stranger, demonstrated in providing food and clothing. In the ancient Near East, widows and orphans were among the most vulnerable, lacking social safety nets. Israel’s identity as a people under God’s covenant obligates them to mirror God’s own care. The language of “doth execute the judgment” frames God as a defender of the defenseless, not distant or indifferent. The mention of the stranger signals hospitality, a key virtue in the Torah, tied to God’s own action in Egypt and the command to love the neighbor.
In social memory, this is a corrective to exploitative practices and a reminder that justice is a core covenant obligation, not a mere sentiment. The verse grounds ethical behavior in God’s character.
Theologically, it reveals God’s heart for justice and mercy as inseparable from faithfulness. Caring for the vulnerable and welcoming the stranger reflect God’s own inclusive nature and his redemptive purposes for nations. This passage foreshadows the gospel’s widening of God’s family—God’s justice is not a category apart from his mercy. The verse shapes a robust social ethics for God’s people: acts of mercy, hospitality, and protection for those who cannot defend themselves.
Today, look for practical ways to defend the vulnerable: support welfare programs, advocate for policies that protect widows and orphans, and extend hospitality to immigrants or newcomers in your community. In personal life, offer time, resources, and friendship to those in need. Create space in your home for guests or refugees; mentor a student facing hardship; support local food banks. In church life, cultivate programs that address systemic injustice and demonstrate God’s care through tangible acts. Let your actions mirror God’s heart: generous, welcoming, and just.
Cross-References: Exodus 22:22-27; Psalm 68:5-6; James 1:27; Leviticus 19:33-34; Matthew 25:35-40