< Vorige | Inhoud | Volgende >
In the O.T. earthly prosperity was a sign of blessing. The Psalmist said that during the whole of his life he had not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread, Ps. 37: 25; whereas of a wicked one, typical of Judas, it is said, "Let his children be continually vagabonds and beg," Ps. 109: 10; but in bringing in strength and salvation Jehovah "lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes," 1 Sam. 2: 8. The law made many provisions for the poor. In the N.T. we read of several beggars who were also blind, who received blessing, Mark 10: 46; Luke 18: 35; John 9: 8; and in the parable the Lord spoke of the beggar named Lazarus who was carried into Abraham's bosom. Luke 16: 20, 22: cf. Acts 3: 2.