The previous verses for this passage are talking about eschatological things and this passage is a continuation of that. However, Luke through the Holy Spirit, tells us the meaning behind this parable is specifically to pray and not to lose heart, this is particularly beneficial as parables are often difficult to understand and in many cases have multiple meanings.
The parable is about a widow who presumably has no son who could protect her, obviously no husband as she is a widow, and also no father who she could return to as she has to find a judge to defend her by herself. She is also asking for legal protection from her opponent; the cause of the opposition is not provided yet it could possibly be over land rights as she has no son or husband and someone from the tribe of her husband may be seeking to gain her land. This is all speculation of course, but it seems viable, if not probable.
The judge though, a wicked character in this parable responds that
"Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out." 18:4-5.It is not for her correctness in this matter, but rather her stubbornness that clings to the only person who can save her. The Lord then makes his point clear when He says that if this unrighteous judge responds favorably, how much more will a God who is righteous, who does love you, respond if you pray day and night, clinging to the only one who can save you, both from the wrath to come, but also in and through your present afflictions.
Jesus also says that God will bring about justice quickly. Well how quickly is quickly? Do we get a response the same night that we pray? How about that same week? When do we stop? Well, the answer is a little more nebulous than some would like. The answer is, obviously, in the Lord's time. We don't know how soon He will respond, how He will respond, and what our role in that is.
So when is quickly? A few examples of quickness are when St. Paul prayed for the thorn to be taken from his side. He only had to pray three times to get a response, and then not the one he was expecting, but still the one he desired, that God's will should be done in his life for His glory. So then is the answer that we need to pray only three times? No, but rather until we receive a response. If God responds in a way that is clearly answering the prayer, either favorably, or in the moment what seems unfavorably, we know the prayer has been answered.
Next quickly could be that God begins to bring about His justice and though your prayer may be lacking, the Holy Spirit also makes prayers with you, inward groaning for what your truly need. Also Jesus, our great Mediator, makes intercession for us in the heavenly realms, adding His potency to our prayer. Every prayer you make is added to, increased, and made proper before God. Therefore quickly may mean that it is expediently made into and prayed for as it ought to be.
The final explanation for quickly that we'll look at brings us to Daniel 10 where Daniel prayed fervently for 21 days before Gabriel came to him. Now, Gabriel had begun coming to answer the prayer immediately as Daniel began, but the principality of Persia slowed his arrival, until Michael came to help. This could mean that our prayers are begun to be answered immediately, but it takes some time for them to be answered because of the influence of the world, Satan, and his minions. That is not to say this isn't in God's will, as it must be, but rather an explanation for our present enigma.
Jesus concludes by going back to the original context, asking if He will find faith when he returns. Remember, the context is eschatological and so the question is when He returns will He find faith. If the purpose of the parable is to remind us to pray continually and not to lose heart and He questions whether He'll find faith, then man's natural tendency must steer him away from faith. This puts the onus on us to continually strive for the faith once and for all delivered unto the saints.
So what should our response be? To pray and not lose faith! Pray, pray, and pray some more. Pray for the same thing continually, provided it aligns with God's Word. Check the Bible daily to see whether your prayers are so. Do not lose heart! If you find yourself becoming discouraged remember this parable. The woman's petition wasn't answered at the onset by the wicked judge, yet she held onto hope. We who have an honest, righteous judge should hold onto the even greater hope we have in Him. Dear brothers and sisters, pray, and do not lose heart.
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