Parable of unjust judge

[inquirringmind]

I'd be interested in thoughts on this parable.

1 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, that men ought always to pray and not faint.

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man.

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while; but afterward, he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her; lest, by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with men?

8 I tell you that he will come, and when he does come, he will avenge his saints speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:1-8, JST.)

[marc]

The Lord is teaching us to importune Him. To ask with faith, especially with patience and persistence. James 1:5

[TZONE]

Love that one.

What coach said. Madsen gives a good response on this. We should KEEP asking God for something. The only times in hte BOM he tells us not to keep praying or asking for something is when he already gave them the answer.

As coached referred to this,

101:81 Now, unto what shall I liken the children of Zion? I will liken them unto the parable of the woman and the unjust judge, for men ought always to pray and not to faint, which saith—

82 There was in a city a judge which feared not God, neither regarded man.

83 And there was a widow in that city, and she came unto him, saying: Avenge me of mine adversary.

84 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.

85 Thus will I liken the children of Zion.

86 Let them importune at the feet of the judge;

87 And if he heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the governor;

88 And if the governor heed them not, let them importune at the feet of the president;

89 And if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the nation;

90 And in his hot displeasure, and in his fierce anger, in his time, will cut off those wicked, unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion among hypocrites, and unbelievers;

91 Even in outer darkness, where there is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

92 Pray ye, therefore, that their ears may be opened unto your cries, that I may be merciful unto them, that these things may not come upon them.

[dman]

If you look up prayer in the bible dictionary it says that the purpose of prayer isn't meant to change the will of The Father but to secure blessings that he is already willing to give us but are conditional on us asking for them.

At the same time in this parable it seems the unjust judge initially declined the widow but after her persistence he finally gave her what she asked. It almost seems like the judge did change his mind.

This seems like a dichotomy. For example, say someone in your family is terminally ill, Would the Father heal your family member based on how persistent you asked? But perhaps someone else's family member not be healed because they weren't as persistent?

[Simon]

If even an unjust judge is willing to give the needy, how much more willing will then be an just judge ? It reminds me of the scriptere where the Lord asks.. "if children ask for bread, would their parents give them stones? How much more will we receive from a loving father if we ask him to feed us with knowledge, wisdom and love?"

What this parable is all about to me, is the great love and patience God has with us.