Jennifer 
Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 10:18 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The Bible is full of verses that show God‘s heart. One powerful verse is Deuteronomy 10:18. This verse tells us how God treats people who are often forgotten by society.
The Context of Deuteronomy 10:18 KJV
Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book in the Bible. It is part of the Old Testament and is one of the five books written by Moses. These five books are often called the Torah or the Pentateuch. In Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of God’s laws and tells them to obey God’s commandments.
The name “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” It is called this because Moses is repeating and explaining the law God gave to Israel. The people of Israel had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now, they were about to enter a new land. Moses wanted to prepare them by teaching them about God’s will.
The Setting of Chapter 10
Deuteronomy chapter 10 is part of a speech that Moses gave to the people. He was talking about how the Israelites had sinned when they made the golden calf. Even though they turned away from God, He still loved them. God showed mercy and forgave them. He gave them the Ten Commandments again and called them to follow Him with a pure heart.
In this chapter, Moses tells the people that God is not only powerful but also full of justice and mercy. He explains what God wants from them. This includes fearing God, loving Him, walking in His ways, and serving Him with all their heart and soul. Then, in verse 18, Moses shares something very important about God’s character.
Deuteronomy 10:18 (KJV)
Here is the verse in the King James Version (KJV):“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.” — Deuteronomy 10:18 (KJV)
This verse tells us that God cares for people who are often in need. These include orphans, widows, and strangers (foreigners). God is not only holy and mighty, but He is also kind and loving. He sees the weak and defends them.
Let us break this verse down and understand its full meaning.
Deuteronomy 10:18 Meaning
“He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow”
This part means that God brings justice to the fatherless and the widow. In ancient Israel, the fatherless were children without a father. Widows were women whose husbands had died. Both of these groups were very vulnerable in society. They had no one to protect them. In many cases, they had no income and no property rights.
In those days, society often overlooked such people. But this verse shows that God does not forget them. He steps in to defend their cause. “Execute the judgment” means He acts on their behalf. He makes sure they are treated fairly. God becomes their protector and judge.
This also reflects God’s character. He is not only a ruler but also a defender of the weak. He fights for justice. He sees when people are mistreated, and He takes action.
“And loveth the stranger”
The word “stranger” here means a foreigner or a person from another land. In the Old Testament, the word for stranger is often “ger,” which refers to someone living in Israel but not born there.
Strangers often had no family in Israel. They might have looked different or spoken another language. They were sometimes ignored or treated unfairly.
But God loves the stranger. This part of the verse shows that God’s love is wide and inclusive. He cares not only for His chosen people but also for outsiders. He welcomes the stranger and shows them kindness.
This is a powerful reminder for us. God does not show favoritism. He cares for all people, no matter where they come from.
“In giving him food and raiment”
The word “raiment” means clothing. So this part says that God provides food and clothing to the stranger. He meets their basic needs. This shows God’s mercy and provision.
Food and clothing are two of the most important things people need to survive. When God gives these to the stranger, it shows He is not just concerned about spiritual matters. He also cares about people’s physical needs.
This is a picture of God’s compassion. He sees the needs of the helpless and provides for them. He does not ignore their pain.
Together, this verse shows a picture of a loving, just, and caring God.
Deuteronomy 10:18 Application in Life
A Model for Godly Behavior
This verse is not just a statement about who God is. It is also a call to action for us. In the verses around Deuteronomy 10:18, God tells the Israelites to follow His example. If God cares for the weak, we must do the same.
Deuteronomy 10:19 says:“Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
This means we are to treat others the way God treated us. Israel had been strangers in Egypt. They knew what it felt like to be oppressed and forgotten. So, God tells them to remember that and show kindness to others.
Caring for Orphans and Widows
Today, we still see people who are vulnerable. There are orphans, single mothers, and elderly widows. Many of them feel alone or have little help. As Christians, we must remember God’s heart for them.
James 1:27 (KJV) says:“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”
This connects directly to Deuteronomy 10:18. True faith is shown in how we treat the helpless. We must not ignore them. We are called to defend them, support them, and love them.
Welcoming the Stranger
In today’s world, strangers can be immigrants, refugees, or anyone who is different from us. They may feel lost or unwelcome in a new place. This verse teaches us to open our hearts and homes to them.
We must remember that we were once strangers to God. But He welcomed us into His family through Jesus Christ. Just as God gave us grace, we should show grace to others.
Hebrews 13:2 (KJV) says:“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
We never know who the stranger is. They could be a blessing in disguise. God wants us to treat them with love and care.
Trusting God’s Justice
Sometimes, we may feel like the world is unfair. Evil people seem to win, and good people suffer. But this verse reminds us that God is just. He sees everything and defends those who are weak.
If you are feeling forgotten or alone, remember Deuteronomy 10:18. God sees you. He cares about your needs. He will not leave you helpless. You are important to Him.
Psalm 68:5 (KJV) also says:“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.”
You are not alone. God is with you and for you.
Being Like God
God’s people are called to reflect His character. If God loves the widow, the orphan, and the stranger, then so should we.
This means giving food to the hungry, clothing to the poor, and a welcome to the outcast. It means standing up for those who are treated unfairly. It means loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 (KJV):“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
When we help the helpless, we are serving Christ Himself.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 10:18 is a powerful reminder of who God is. He is a just Judge, a loving Father, and a merciful Provider. He defends the weak, loves the outsider, and meets their needs. This verse teaches us that God’s heart is full of compassion. He does not ignore the pain of the needy. Instead, He takes action to help them.
As believers, we are called to follow His example. We must care for orphans, widows, and strangers. We must show love, give generously, and fight for justice. In doing so, we reflect the love of God to the world. Let us remember this verse in our daily lives. Let it guide our actions and shape our hearts. May we be people who reflect God’s love and justice in all we do.
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