SARAH
Genesis (end of) chapter 11
until chapter 23.
Sarah, originally called
Sarai, was both the wife and half-sister of Abraham (Genesis 11:31). She
struggled with infertility until she was 90 years of age (Genesis 11:30; 17:17;
21:2).
God came to Abraham in a
vision and made a covenant with him stating that Abraham’s seed would inherit
the land they were in (Genesis 15:18). But because Sarah was barren at the time
of God forming this covenant with Abraham, Sarah decided to give him her
handmaid, named Hagar. So Abraham had a son with Hagar (called Ishmael).
Hagar was a servant to
Abraham and Sarah. Because Sarah couldn’t have children at this point in time,
she made Hagar have sex with Abraham, and thus, became pregnant with his
first-born son, Ishmael. Hagar began to despise Sarah and ended up fleeing into
the wilderness. An angel of the Lord came to her and said that she should
return to Sarah and submit to her. The angel also said that God will multiply
her seed for she was pregnant with Ishmael. God saw her, and came to her. He
comforted her and gave her the right advice on what to do at this point
(Genesis 16).
God later opened up Sarah’s
womb and was able to give her the gift of bearing her own son, Isaac (Genesis
21:1-8). Through this, Hagar and her son became a threat to Sarah because
Ishmael had the first-born rights of inheritance. Sarah didn’t like this because
she wanted Isaac to have it all. So, Hagar was cast out; Abraham gave Hagar a
fraction of what her and Ishmael were rightfully entitled to, and then decided
to wander in the wilderness of Beersheba.
God promised Abraham that he
would be a father of many nations (Genesis 17). A covenant was made between
Himself and Abraham where both he and Sarah would be blessed with a son.
Despite Sarah being old (90 years old), there is nothing that is impossible with
God. Abraham was told to name his son Isaac, and that this covenant would
become an everlasting covenant with Isaac and his seed after him (17:19).
There were three visitors
(angels sent from The Lord) that came to where Abraham and Sarah were residing
and said to Abraham that Sarah would have a son. When Sarah heard this from
inside the tent, she laughed and said to herself, “After I am waxed old
shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?” (18:12). God then
said to Abraham, “Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a
surety bear a child, which am old? Is anything too heard for the Lord?” (18:13-14).
Sarah denied laughing because she was afraid. But The Lord kept His promises.
Sarah conceived and had a son, whom they called Isaac, in her old age (21:2-3).
LESSONS TO LEARN FROM
SARAH’S LIFE:
1. Never Limit God’s
Abilities
“With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible” – Matthew 19:26 (b)
We can never truly fathom the
extraordinary power and abilities that God has. So we should never limit God’s
abilities in our lives. Sarah laughed when she overheard the angels of God
saying to Abraham that she was going to conceive and bare a son in her old age.
I mean, yes, it sounds ridiculous, but with God, ALL things are possible.
Everything works out for the glory of God when it comes to His perfect plan and
purpose in our loves. Nothing and no one can stop what God has planned for
you.
We are limited in our
abilities, but with God, He can do such amazing, incredible, unthinkable
things, because that is the kind of God we serve!
2. Trust God No Matter
What
“Trust in the LORD with
all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Sarah didn’t show her trust
towards God when both her and Abraham were promised to be a father and mother
of many nations. She limited her faith in God when she heard that she was going
to conceive in her old age. We should never stop trusting God. God is the most
important person in our lives, and we need to completely trust Him, no matter
what is going on or what we are struggling with in our lives.
God knows what is and isn’t
best for us. God also created each and every one of us with a unique purpose
and plan for our lives. We were created by Him in His image. We are created for
His glory. Everything that we should be doing in our lives is to serve and
please Him.
Put your complete faith and
trust in God alone, no matter what.
3. God Always Delivers
What He Promises
“And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose” – Romans 8:28
God created an everlasting
covenant with Abraham when He promised him that he would become a father of
many nations. God delivered what He promised Abraham. God ALWAYS delivers on
His promises for us; we just have to be patient and remain faithful.
What is it is that you are
currently waiting on The Lord about? Can you learn to be patient as you wait
for God to deliver your promises to you? Even if it took several years, or even
decades? It is so hard to be patient when we are just wanting certain things
right now. But God’s timing is perfect, God’s plans are perfect and God’s ways
are perfect, so slow down, be patient, trust, and wait on the Lord.
4. God’s Timing Is Perfect
“Delight thyself also in
the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” – Psalm 37:4
As I said before, God’s
timing is perfect. God is outside of time. He handles things in His own way. We
just have to put our complete faith and trust in Him alone. Whether it is
waiting on the Lord for a husband, or children, or finances, or whatever the
case may be.
It’s hard when we don’t see
what is going on behind closed doors. We cannot see how God is working on
things, but we should know that He is hearing and answering our prayers in His
perfect timing. God is never late; we are just impatient.
Sarah could have conceived
and had Isaac at a much younger age. She already gave up on the fact that was
she barren for majority of her life. But God had other plans for her. And
through having Isaac in her old age, we can see that God’s plans for Sarah were
to be at that given time. We cannot fully understand the reasoning behind that,
but again, that is why having complete faith and trust in God alone is so
very important.
5. Trust God’s Plan For
Your Life
“For we walk by
faith, not by sight” – 2 Corinthians 5:7
God created each and every
one of us with a unique purpose and plan for our lives. We may not always know
what God’s plan is for us, because we cannot see what lays ahead in the future,
but God knows. This is why we must walk by faith and not by sight. We must lean
upon the Lord for complete understanding.
6. God’s Love Is
Unconditional
“And we have known and
believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in
love dwelleth in God, and God in him” – 1 John 4:16
God loves us so much. His
love is unconditional and everlasting. He created such a beautiful plan for
both Abraham and Sarah in their old age, to be blessed with a son, whose seed
would then bring about many generations of children. Through this lineage,
Jesus came about.
Everything works out for
good; everything works out for God’s glory.
We may laugh, we may cry, we
may stress, we may deny, but God knows all, God sees all, and God will handle
all. His love for us is so beautiful and amazing. God truly cares about each
and every one of us. He took the time to knit us in our mother’s womb. He took
the time to create such wonderful and glorious plans for our lives.
7. God Is Always Faithful
“Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
– Hebrews 10:23
“Know therefore that the
LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy
with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” –
Deuteronomy 7:9
Even when we aren’t faithful
to God, He is always faithful to us. God will never back down on His promises
for us.
8. Submit to Your Husband
“Wives, submit yourselves
unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of
the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of
the body” – Ephesians 5:22-23
Instead of giving Hagar to
her husband, Abraham, Sarah should have submitted to Abraham and trusted in The
Lord. Because, before she did this, God had already established a covenant with
Abraham where his seed would inherit the land of Canaan.
Instead of letting Abraham
continue to lead, and let things happen as they should, Sarah handed her
handmaid Hagar to Abraham. Once she conceived and had Ishamel, Sarah became
resentful and wanted Hagar and her son to be cast out of the land they were living
in.
Wives, submit to your
husbands. Let him lead. He is the head of the household, the same way Christ is
the head of the Church. Don’t make any rash decisions. Otherwise you may end up
making a decision you soon regret.
REBEKAH
Rebekah was a woman of destiny, chosen by God to be the wife
of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. Her story reveals faith,
hospitality, courage, but also the dangers of partiality and deception. Her
character study teaches us about divine guidance in marriage, the power of
prayer, and the consequences of favouritism in a family.
1. REBEKAH’S DIVINE SELECTION AS ISAAC’S WIFE
Rebekah was chosen by God to be Isaac’s wife through a
miraculous sign.
a) A Divine Search – Abraham’s servant prayed for a specific
sign to find Isaac’s wife (Genesis 24:12-14).
b) Rebekah’s Quick Response – She immediately offered water
to the servant and his camels (Genesis 24:18-20).
c) Confirmed by Her Family – Her family recognised God’s
hand in the choice (Genesis 24:50-51).
d) Willing to Follow God’s Plan – She left her family
immediately in faith (Genesis 24:58-61).
e) Biblical Example: Ruth also left her homeland to follow
God’s plan (Ruth 1:16).
2. REBEKAH’S FAITH AND PRAYER LIFE
Rebekah sought God in times of difficulty, showing her
dependence on Him.
a) Faced Barrenness – Like Sarah before her, Rebekah was
barren for years (Genesis 25:21).
b) Intercession by Isaac – Isaac prayed, and God opened her
womb (Genesis 25:21).
c) Inquired of the Lord – She sought God when her pregnancy
became difficult (Genesis 25:22-23).
d) Received Divine Revelation – God revealed that two
nations were in her womb (Genesis 25:23).
e) Biblical Example: Hannah also sought God in prayer for a
child (1 Samuel 1:10-11).
3. REBEKAH’S MATERNAL LOVE AND FAVOURITISM
Rebekah’s love for Jacob led to deception and division in
her family.
a) Favoured Jacob Over Esau – She preferred Jacob because of
God’s prophecy (Genesis 25:28).
b) Devised a Deception Plan – She convinced Jacob to deceive
Isaac (Genesis 27:6-10).
c) Prepared the Meal for Deception – She actively
participated in the trickery (Genesis 27:14-17).
d) Caused Family Division – Her actions led to Esau’s anger
and Jacob’s exile (Genesis 27:41-45).
e) Biblical Example: Joseph’s brothers also suffered due to
parental favouritism (Genesis 37:3-4).
4. REBEKAH’S ROLE IN JACOB’S DESTINY
Despite her mistakes, God used Rebekah to ensure Jacob
fulfilled his divine calling.
a) Helped Jacob Secure the Blessing – She ensured the
prophecy about Jacob was fulfilled (Genesis 27:13).
b) Encouraged Jacob to Obey God’s Plan – She sent Jacob to
Laban for safety and marriage (Genesis 27:43-46).
c) Suffered Separation from Jacob – Her actions led to her
never seeing Jacob again (Genesis 27:45).
d) God’s Sovereign Will Prevailed – Despite human deception,
God’s plan was fulfilled (Genesis 28:13-15).
e) Biblical Example: Tamar also played a role in ensuring
Judah’s lineage continued (Genesis 38:26).
5. REBEKAH’S LEGACY AND LESSONS FROM HER LIFE
Rebekah left behind a strong legacy, but her mistakes serve
as warnings.
a) A Model of Faith – She trusted God and followed His plan
(Genesis 24:58).
b) A Woman of Prayer – She sought God in times of trouble (Genesis
25:22).
c) A Loving Mother – She cared deeply for Jacob but was
unwise in her approach (Genesis 27:13).
d) A Lesson in the Dangers of Deception – Her actions led to
pain and division (Genesis 27:46).
e) Biblical Example: King David’s household also suffered
due to parental mistakes (2 Samuel 13:21-28).
6. STRENGTHS OF REBEKAH
Rebekah demonstrated many admirable qualities.
a) Generous and Hardworking – She showed great hospitality
to Abraham’s servant (Genesis 24:18-20).
b) Decisive and Courageous – She immediately agreed to leave
her family (Genesis 24:58).
c) Spiritually Perceptive – She sought God and received
divine revelation (Genesis 25:22-23).
d) Loving and Protective Mother – She desired the best for
Jacob (Genesis 27:6-10).
e) Biblical Example: Deborah also showed courage and wisdom
(Judges 4:8-9).
7. WEAKNESSES OF REBEKAH
Despite her strengths, Rebekah made serious mistakes.
a) Showed Favouritism – This led to family conflict (Genesis
25:28).
b) Resorted to Deception – She encouraged Jacob to lie (Genesis
27:6-17).
c) Manipulated Events – Instead of trusting God, she took
matters into her own hands (Genesis 27:13).
d) Caused Pain in Her Family – Her actions resulted in
Jacob’s exile and Esau’s bitterness (Genesis 27:41-45).
e) Biblical Example: King Saul also relied on his own wisdom
instead of obeying God (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
MIRIAM
Miriam and her family were
Israelites, from the tribe of Levi, living in Egypt. Their people had
lived peacefully in that land for more than two hundred years – Exodus 1 verses
8 and 9
So, the Egyptians oppressed
the people and forced them into slave labour. ?When that didn’t work, the
command went out to kill all the baby boys. Exodus 1 verses 17, 20
Finally, the king commanded
all the boy babies to be thrown into the Nile River and drowned
Miriam’s mother, Jochebed,
delivered a baby boy and of course, she couldn’t bear to think of killing him.
So, what did she do? Exodus
2:2–4
Who would want Miriam’s job?
She was walking along the bank of the river watching the little basket bob
along. I’m thinking, it’s Egypt. There were probably alligators or other
dangerous animals in the water, or maybe there were boats carrying law-abiding
citizens who may have heard a crying baby and easily tipped the basket over to
drown the boy hidden inside. I imagine Jochebed at home, praying and probably
weeping.
What was Miriam thinking or
how was she praying as she watched her baby brother, Moses, float down the Nile
river in a basket? Did she know the place where the king’s daughter bathed
in the river? Did she help guide the basket toward them? Or did the wind of the
Holy Spirit blow the basket toward the Egyptian women? We will have to wait for
the answers to these questions until we get to heaven.
For now, we see a young
girl’s tenacious obedience to her mother. The floating basket stuck in the
reeds caught the attention of the king’s daughter. Exodus 2:6
Lesson One: Fear God
Rather than Man
While Miriam could have
hidden away in fear, Scripture tells us Miriam courageously popped right up and
offered to get a nurse for her baby brother, even though this could have put
her life at risk. Very gutsy!
As a Hebrew, Miriam was
considered one of Pharaoh’s slaves. It took tremendous moxie for Miriam to take
moral action and approach this woman who could have had her killed. God
help us be bold like Miriam!
“Yes, find a nurse,” answered
Pharaoh’s daughter. So, Miriam ran to fetch her mother. Imagine the surprise
and great relief of Jochebed when Miriam came running home with the news that
her baby was saved! They both scrambled right back to the river to collect the
baby. The king’s daughter actually offered to pay her for
nursing him . . . her own son! Isn’t that just like God. We give Him something,
He takes it, and gives back to us even more.
Scripture tells us the child
grew, and when he was ready, his mother presented him to Pharaoh’s daughter,
and she adopted him as her son! She named him Moses.
Miriam served God by obeying
her mother, determining to protect the baby, showing courage before Pharaoh’s
daughter, and suggesting her own mother as nurse. Because of Miriam, Moses
lived and saved God’s people! Jochebed decided to fear God rather than obey the
rule of the land, just like the midwives had. God blessed the midwives, and He
obviously blessed Jochebed and Miriam by saving the life of Moses.
The takeaway: From the
example of her mother and the midwives, young Miriam was taught to fear God
rather than man. Are we living like Miriam?
Lesson Two: We Can Choose
to Worship
Fast forward eighty-plus
years. Miriam and her other brother, Aaron, have helped Moses in his assignment
to free God’s people. They followed him in the great exodus, through the
miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, toward the land of promise.
Immediately after the
Egyptian soldiers were drowned, scholars suggest Miriam and Moses together
wrote the first worship song recorded in Scripture to celebrate. Exodus
15: 20–21
Two important things we learn
about Miriam here. She is the first woman ever to be called a prophetess in
Scripture. In Hebrew, that can mean a woman who prophesies, an inspired woman,
a poetess, or perhaps a prophet’s wife (Strong’s Concordance, #H5031).
Next, she leads the women in worship! As a follower of God, she both
prophesies and worships Him with exuberant praise and thanksgiving.
The takeaway: Am I like
Miriam, listening to God’s voice and worshiping Him?
Lesson Three: When We
Fail, We Can Still Find Forgiveness
Have you ever failed—badly?
Have you been so frustrated you said things in anger or gossiped, not thinking
of the ramifications?
When we jump forward a few
grueling years in the wilderness, we find Miriam having what must have been a
bad day, or was it a bad week, or perhaps even a year. The whole camp was tired
of eating manna and living in tents. There was grumbling all around her. People
missed the comforts of Egypt. It started small enough.
Miriam and Aaron fussed about
Moses’ wife, whom they apparently didn’t like. Family can be that way. Then
they grumbled about Moses, but worse, they complained about hearing from God!
“They said, ‘Has the Lord really spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken
also through us?’ And the LORD heard it” (Numbers 12:2). As if God couldn’t
hear them! But He did, and He called all three siblings to the Tent of Meeting.
It was a family gathering, and two of them were in BIG trouble. God was not
happy!
Miriam had temporarily lost
her respect for Moses and her reverence for God. The sin was
self-importance and pride. She forgot to honor what God honors. As a
consequence for her sin, God struck her body with leprosy.
As I read through this part
of her story, I am brokenhearted. How many times have I forgotten to honor what
God honors? How many times have I harshly judged people, unfairly criticized,
and gossiped? And I have done these things after years of knowing and serving
God. This failing can happen to anyone.
What happened to Miriam?
Get this—her brothers prayed for her! Aaron
begged Moses to forgive their foolishness and sin (Num. 12:11). Moses cried to
God to heal his sister (v. 13). And God listened. But, He still put her in
“time out” for seven days. She remained in quarantine outside the camp, and
then her disease was healed. She was restored to health and to the family, when
the one she offended interceded for her.
Isn’t that just what Jesus
did for us? Like Miriam, we may have failed in our faith journey. Jesus, our
Savior, offers the hope of forgiveness and restoration. The very One we have
offended, the Lord, is the One who prays for us.
The takeaway: Miriam’s story
reminds us to be courageous and loyal, to fear God rather than man, to follow
God’s plan, to worship Him boldly, and when we fail, run to the Savior who
intercedes for us, so we are forgiven and restored.
DEBORAH
Deborah’s story is contained
in the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of Judges. There we learn that
Deborah was called to deliver the Israelites from the Canaanites as the fifth
judge.
As was too often the case,
Israel’s troubles were entirely the result of their own sin and idol worship,
which God sought to correct (Judges 4:1-2). And
so began the cycle of rebellion, loss of freedom and oppression, repentance,
and restoration that we read about in the book of Judges. In his
book From Creation to the Cross, Albert Baylis describes this era: “If the book of
Joshua is a flowing stream, fresh and invigorating with direction and power,
then in Judges the river turns sluggish and muddy, its polluted water
ultimately spiraling down a storm drain” (173).
Despite Israel’s appetite for
rebellion and idolatry, in
their cries for deliverance, God sent help in the form of the
judges. According to Matthew Henry’s Commentary, the judges were often prophets “instructed in Divine
knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God” and civic leaders, given
authority to judge “Israel as God’s mouth to them; correcting abuses, and
redressing grievances.” On many occasions, the judges also served as military
commanders who led Israel in battle against foreign adversaries.
Deborah in the Bible was one
of these judges.
Though we know very little
about Deborah’s actual family, the book of Judges tells us that Deborah came
from the hill country of Ephraim between Bethel and Ramah. There, under a palm
tree, she sat, providing godly wisdom and guidance to those who sought counsel
(Judges 4:4-5).
We also know that Deborah was married to a man named Lappidoth (Judges 4:4),
though not much is known about him beyond his name.
The Story of Deborah in
the Bible
Deborah would go on to lead
Israel against the Canaanites, their king Jabin, and their military general
Sisera, calling on a Jewish warrior named Barak to command Israel’s army.
To Deborah’s request, Barak
famously replied, “if you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not
go with me, I will not go” (Judges 4:8). Deborah
would agree to accompany Barak. However, she informed him that, because of his
hesitancy, “the honor shall not be yours… for the Lord will sell Sisera into
the hands of a woman” (Judges 4:9).
Deborah’s prophecy would soon
come to fruition.
As Israel routed Sisera’s
forces at Mount Tebor, Sisera, the Canaanite general, escaped, seeking refuge
in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:17).
But as Canaan’s top military leader slept soundly, Jael shoved a tent spike
through Sisera’s head, killing him where he lay (Judges 4:21). With
his army decimated and trusted general now watering the sand with a
spike-shaped hole in his head, Jabin, the king of Canaan, was soon defeated.
The people of Israel were liberated from the Canaanites (Judges 7:24). Deborah
and Barak would then sing of this victory, praising God for His faithfulness
and deliverance of their people. One of the first examples of Hebrew poetry
recorded in the Bible is the Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5).
Deborah would serve God and
Israel as a judge for forty years.
There are several key lessons
we can learn from Deborah’s leadership and example during this time.
1. Prosperity Should Never
Lead to Complacency
Although Israel’s servitude
at the hands of the Canaanites, Midianites, Philistines, and other nations was
a result of their sin and idolatry,
the Israelites had not done themselves any favors by refusing to remove these
nations and their influence from the land, as God had instructed in the book of
Joshua.
Instead, the temptation of
foreign gods and the presence of false worship remained, slowly reshaping the
culture and turning the hearts of the people away from God in the process.
The Israelites’ prosperity
following the days of Joshua should have solidified their faith. However,
instead of being grateful and humble, the people became complacent and
self-indulgent. Matthew Henry writes, “thus the prosperity of fools destroys
them.”
Because the people of Israel
neglected to glorify God in good times, they were forced to seek Him in times
of trouble.
The same is true for
believers today.
God uses tough times and
anointed leaders like Deborah to wake His people and break them of the habit of
sin and complacency when necessary.
2. God Calls for Obedience
Among the judges of Israel,
Deborah was unique in that she not only led by example, but she was also bold,
assertive, and obedient in both her personal and public life.
Deborah’s calling as a judge
was not her sole occupation. She was also a wife, a warrior, a prophetess, and
a songwriter, and in all things, she proved faithful.
The lesson here is that God’s
ultimate call for His creation is obedience.
We all wear many hats and
fulfill many roles in life, but whether it’s in our jobs, our relationships, or
our families, God calls us to be faithful and obedient in all areas
of life, big and small, public and private.
3. Leaders Lead
Though Deborah called upon
Barak to lead Israel’s army into battle, her delegation should not be seen as
an attempt to shake responsibility or “pass the buck.” On the
contrary. Barak insisted Deborah accompany him, and Deborah committed to
going. She would not send him somewhere she was not willing to go herself
Like any good leader, Deborah
led the way. She stepped up when called (Judges 5:8)
and did not hesitate to act; what she called Israel to do in public, she
committed to do in her personal relationship with God.
Sadly, the later kings of
Israel did not follow suit; as their hearts went, so went the nation of
Israel. Deborah, however, led by example and modeled courage, swift
action, obedience, and a willingness to speak the truth, standing behind those
she called to action. “Those who in God’s name call others to their duty,
should be ready to assist them in it” (Matthew Henry).
Deborah modeled this aspect
of leadership better than most.
4. When God Goes Before
Us, What Have We to Fear?
Although Deborah’s courage is
legendary, her confidence did not come from her abilities or Israel’s army. In
fact, the armies of Israel were largely outnumbered by Sisera and his many
chariots. But where Sisera trusted in the might of his army, Deborah trusted in
God’s power and provision (Psalms 20:6-9).
Knowing that God was not only
for Israel but had gone before them was all the strength she needed to take
action, get the job done, and inspire others to step out in faith as well (Judges 5:14).
For Christians today, Matthew
Henry offers this powerful reminder: “be not dismayed at the difficulties thou
meetest with in resisting Satan, in serving God, or suffering for him; for is
not the Lord gone before thee?”
5. God Deserves Swift
Gratitude and Praise
Following their victory over
Sisera and the Canaanites, Deborah and Barak did what Israel had failed to do
since the days of Joshua: ascribe all glory, honor, and praise to the Lord (Judges 5).
And like most things in life, Deborah and Barak did not hesitate to worship.
In this way, complacency and
self-adoration had been momentarily overcome by Israel’s leadership. They
recognized that, no matter what they or the army had done, God deserved the
credit.
Believers today would be wise
to imitate this behavior and not waste time giving credit and praise to the
Lord when it is due.
6. Look to the Past, But
Look Beyond to the Promise of the Future
In the Song of Deborah and
Barak, the songwriter(s) remind the people of the cost of their disobedience
and the reasons they had gotten into trouble with the Canaanites in the first
place.
Here we find an honest
reckoning with the past and a charge for Israel to “wake up” and return to
their God. However, in acknowledging the sins of Israel’s past, Deborah
also looks to the joy of their present salvation and
hope for an even better future. This is vital to the survival of any
civilization.
As Eric Metaxas writes in his
book If You Can Keep It: The
Forgotten Promise of American Liberty, “seeing the sins and failing (of the past) is not fatal and
fatalistic. We see them, but we see beyond them to the possibilities of
goodness and forgiveness and redemption. We recognize that the ‘story’s not
over.’ We see the hope on the other side of where we are” (231).
Deborah reminded the people
that, though they had betrayed God and broken covenant with Him, He had
remained faithful. Knowing this, the children of Israel could look forward to
even better days if they would cast aside their idols and return fully to the
Lord.
7. God Elevates Those He
Chooses
It is no coincidence that the
great Canaanite general Sisera was brought down by a girl and a single iron
nail. In this way, God demonstrates His tendency to use the “weak things of the
world to confound the mighty” (1 Corinthians 1:27). The apostle Paul would continue, “God chose the lowly things of
this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the
things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:29).
In this way, as Deborah had
promised, Jael was given a special honor for her role in killing an enemy of
God’s people. “Most blessed of women is Jael,” Deborah sings (Judges 5:24). Furthermore,
a lot has been written about Deborah’s role as a woman in the Old Testament,
and it is true; it was not common for women to hold positions of such power and
influence in that culture at that time. However, as we see throughout Scripture,
God does not hesitate to raise up, equip, empower, and promote His faithful
servants, regardless of their social status, abilities, or lack thereof. As
Matthew Henry writes, “Though He needs no human help, yet he is pleased to
accept the services of those who improve their talents to advance his cause.”
In the end, God elevates
those He chooses. Deborah sings, “thus let all your enemies perish, O Lord; but
let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might” (Judges 5:31).
“Such shall be the honour,
and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine forever as the sun
in the firmament.” (Matthew Henry)
Deborah would play an
incredible role in the history of Israel and has gone on to become one of the
most influential women in all of Scripture. However, it is not Deborah or
Barak, or Jael who deserves glory or praise. They are not worshipped because
they are not the ultimate heroes of this story or the ultimate saviors of
Israel. That role is reserved for God and God alone, before whom “the mountains
quaked at the presence of the Lord” (Judges 5:5).
RUTH
Ruth was Loyal & Devoted
“And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or return
from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou
lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where
thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and
more also, if aught but death part thee and me.” Ruth 1:16-17
Ruth was extremely loyal to her Mother-in-Law, Naomi. These
days, Mother-in-Laws are often looked upon with a bit of disdain… but not so
with Ruth! She obviously loved Naomi very much and held her in high regard.
Ruth grew up in Moab, married into a Jewish family and was
then left a widow. When Naomi decided to return the Jewish city of Bethlehem,
she encouraged her two daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Naturally, most
young women would probably choose to stay in the place of their birth, with
their families… but not Ruth! She wanted to remain with Naomi… for the rest of
her life!
Ruth was loyal and dedicated to Naomi even when it meant
forsaking everything she had ever known. By following Naomi to Bethlehem, she
said goodbye to her home, her family, her friends, her birthplace, and her
religion! What a sacrifice she made.
How about you? Are you a loyal and dedicated woman like
Ruth? What would you be willing to sacrifice for the people you love the most?
Are you loyal to your family members… to your friends? Can your family and
friends count on you to remain loyal to them, even when it’s difficult to do
so?
Ruth’s exemplary loyalty and dedication to Naomi is the
first of shining qualities we see in her life.
Ruth was Initiative
“And Ruth the Moabites said unto Naomi, Let me now go to
the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace.
And she said unto her, go my daughter.” Ruth 2:2
Once Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem, they had very few
provisions. Naomi being much older, would not have near as much strength and
energy to go out and glean in the fields. Ruth however, was able…. and she
was willing. She was the one who approached Naomi, asking for permission to
go out to the fields and glean ears of corn. She took the initiative… she was
diligent and humble enough to go out and glean as one who was poor and needy.
Ruth’s initiative in going out to the fields to glean should
be commended. She was a stranger in a foreign place. She was humble enough to
work for what they needed, and she was looking out for Naomi as well.
How about you? Do you take the initiative to go and work,
even when it’s unpleasant and even humbling? Are you willing to help others?
Are you diligent enough to see a need and go out and fulfill that need?
Ruth was diligent, she had the initiative to go out and work
to help Naomi. Not only was she willing to get the work started… she worked
until the task was complete….
Ruth was a Hard Worker
“So she gleaned in the field, until even, and beat out
that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.” Ruth 2:17
Ruth had the initiative to go out and work…. and she was
diligent enough to complete the task. Ruth worked until the day was done. It’s
likely that Ruth was not accustomed at all to this kind of work. Previously,
she would have had a husband to care for her physical needs. Now, she is the
one working hard to provide for herself and Naomi. It’s very hot in Israel, and
fields would not have been shaded. The work that Naomi had to do must have been
very hard, hot, and tiresome…. but she continued on until the evening… until
there was enough for her and Naomi.
How about you? I must admit that I do not like hot, hard,
and laborious work – I prefer working indoors. However, whatever work we need
to do, we ought to go about it with the determination and dedication that Ruth
showed out in the fields.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 says “Whatsoever thy hand findeth
to do, do it with thy might…”
This is a good verse to live by, when it comes to the tasks
and jobs that we need to do. Whether it’s something small that you do every
day, or a unpleasant job that must be done… do it with all your might, until
the job is done!
Ruth was Humble and Thankful
“Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the
ground, and said unto him [Boaz], Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that
thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?” Ruth 2:10
When Boaz came to his fields, he noticed Ruth working among
the others. Not knowing who she was, he asked about her. Then he approached her
with a gracious offer. He told Ruth to remain in his fields and not to go to
any other field except his. Here she would be safe, untouched and unharmed by
the men in his fields. He also told her that she was allowed to drink of the
fresh water his men brought to the fields.
What was Ruth’s response to Boaz’ generosity? She bowed
herself to the ground (a sign of humility!) and asked why he was being so kind
to her. She showed humility and gratitude with her actions.
What about you? When someone lavishes you with a gracious
and generous offer, how do you respond? Do you show humility and gratitude?
May we work on becoming woman who are truly humble and
thankful for the blessings of God and generosity shown to us through others!
Ruth was Bold and Obedient
“And [Ruth] said unto [Naomi], all that thou sayest unto
me I will do. And she went down unto the [threshing floor], and did according
to all that her mother-in-law bade her. And when Boaz has eaten, and drunk, and
his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and
she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.” Ruth 3:6-7
After a few months of gleaning in the field of Boaz, Naomi
approached Ruth with a bold idea. She gave Ruth instructions to anoint herself,
put on special clothing, and go to Boaz’ threshing floor. It was the time of
year that the barley harvest was coming to an end, and all the workers of the
field would be celebrating a successful harvest. Naomi knew that Boaz and many
others would be at the “threshing floor” that night. She instructed Ruth not to
show herself until Boaz had plenty to eat and drink. Then she was to follow him
to the place where he would lie down to sleep. At that time Ruth was to uncover
his feet and lay down right there!
This may sound like a crazy plan to most of you – and most
likely Ruth thought so too! But there was a very important message behind this
particular action. Boaz was Naomi and Ruth’s kinsman redeemer – a close
relative who was “eligible” to marry and provide for a widow. By uncovering
Boaz’ feet, Ruth was requesting that Boaz cover her under the protection of his
robe – aka protect and provide for her as his wife!
What a vulnerable request. By following Naomi’s advice, Ruth
was literally asking Boaz to marry her!
And what did Ruth do? “And she went down unto the floor, and
did according to all that her mother-in-law bade her.”
What obedience! What boldness!
Would you be willing and bold enough to do what Naomi
requested? Proverbs 28:1 says that “the righteous are bold as a lion.” Ruth
was displaying righteousness by being bold enough to follow her mother-in-law’s
advice!
What an example for us to follow! We usually shy away from
things that make us vulnerable. We like to be comfortable… but sometimes we
need to obedient and bold enough to do the uncomfortable things that God asks
of us.
And you know what? Ruth was rewarded. Because of her
obedience and boldness…
Ruth was Redeemed
“And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people…
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my
wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon the inheritance, that the name of
the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his
place: ye are witnesses this day.” Ruth 4:9-10
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife…” Ruth 4:13a
Boaz was willing to make Ruth his wife… he “’redeemed” her.
This is a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us! Jesus Christ has
redeemed us with His shed blood. He’s bought us, and now He provides for us and
protects us as His own.
Have you been redeemed by Christ? All we need to do is
realize that we are sinners in need of a Redeemer, and then by faith we accept
what He has done for us on the Cross of Calvary. By accepting Christ as our
Savior, He redeems us, makes us His own, and will take us to Heaven when we
die. What a wonderful truth, what redemption, what a wonderful Savior and
Redeemer He is!
Final Thoughts
Ruth was a foreigner who dedicated her life to her
mother-in-law and her mother-in-law’s faith, even when she saw nothing in it
for herself. Because of her faith, and virtuous character, God blessed and
provided her with a wonderful husband. But that’s not all! Ruth and Boaz were
blessed with a son name Obed. Obed eventually had a grandson named David….
David the King of Israel, the man after God’s own heart! Jesus Christ came
through the line of David, and Ruth, being the great-grandmother of David, is
named in the royal genealogy of Christ!
Ruth followed her Naomi, and Naomi’s God in faith…and as a
result she was abundantly blessed!
How Can I Apply this to My Life?
We too, can become virtuous women life Ruth. She left us a
radiant example of faith and virtue. Remember, Ruth was…
- Loyal
and Dedicated
- Initiative
- Hard
Working
- Humble
and Thankful
- and…
she was Redeemed
ESTHER
Name: Hadassah and then Esther
Meaning of name: Hadassah means “myrtle” and Esther means “star.”
Ancestry and family life: Esther was an orphan from the tribe of Benjamin. Her
father and mother were not alive. So Mordecai,
her cousin, became her guardian. This was 50-60 years after many of the Jews
had returned to Judah under Zerubabbel in 538 BC. But it was before the second
return under Ezra in
457 B.C.
Mordecai’s great-grandfather
was one of the original Jews who were deported to Babylon four generations
before. After Babylon fell to the Persians these Jews moved to various parts of
the kingdom. Going farther back, Mordecai was descended from the family of
Kish, a family name that can be traced all the way back to Saul’s father. It is
unknown if Mordecai had a family of his own, but he did adopt Esther, his
cousin, as his own daughter when her parents died and left her an orphan.
Thus Esther’s family was
living as part of the Jewish diaspora. They had made new homes and new lives
away from Judah. Notably, her family had chosen not to return when others did.
It could indicate some level of success or contentment for her family in Persia.
As Jews living abroad, they
would have faced some level of intermittent persecution as they do in this
book. Anti-Semitism is not a new thing. Jews have faced racial persecution for
millennia. At the same time, life in Persia would have afforded her family
certain opportunities and stability that they would not have had returning to
Judah. Many Jewish families fared quite well in their new homes.
When and where she lived: Esther 2:5-6
Esther lived in Susa. This
was made the capital city of the Persian Empire by Cambyses II. Later Darius
the Great built a magnificent palace there that was added to by his successors.
Eventually the city was conquered by Alexander the Great. Interestingly, it is
famous for weddings. First, for Esther’s wedding with Ahasuerus (Xerxes) and
then later for the Susa Weddings, where Alexander the Great married 10,000
Macedonians and Persians in a grand ceremony intended to unite the two
civilizations.
Ahasuerus was ambitious and
planned a full scale campaign against Greece. It is likely that the royal
feasts recorded in chapter one were intended to promote confidence in the
government for this war effort.
Training and occupation: Esther 2:7
Nothing is written about her
occupation prior to selection into the king’s harem. She is described as being
a “young woman” with a “lovely figure.” The search was made for “beautiful
young virgins.” (Esther 2:2)
As a young woman in that
culture, she did not have a choice about the matter. She was selected by the
officials who had direct authority from the king.
None of them were given a
choice. It was the king’s edict and he was the most powerful man in their
world. Their wishes or their family’s wishes were not relevant. Esther is
carried away by circumstances outside of her control.
Esther 2:12-14, 17-18 –
Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete
twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with
oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. And this is how she
would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from
the harem to the king’s palace. In the evening she would go there and in
the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the
king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to
the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name. Now the king
was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his
favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown
on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a
great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He
proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal
liberality.
Esther was put through a
twelve month training and beautifying program. In addition to the beauty
treatments, she and the other ladies would have been taught proper palace
etiquette and expectations for their role as concubines. For some it was
probably a spectacular and bedazzling experience. They were transported from
their own normal life to a carefree life of luxury and ease. For others, it
would have been terrifying. They were snatched from their homes and families
without any choice and forced into a life of isolation (from the outside world)
and virtual slavery.
Place in history: Esther has a famous place in history. She is only
one of two women who have books of the Bible named after them (Ruth being
the other.) And she became a deliverer of her people. Through Esther’s efforts,
the scheme of Haman was thwarted and the lives of Jews across the Persian
Empire were saved.
Special traits:
1. Jewish – Throughout much
of the last two to three thousand years of history, being Jewish is risky. For
Esther, it was the same. Through no fault of her own, she was born into a group
of people who were often discriminated against. That identity as a Jew meant
that she was one of God’s chosen people.
As the protagonist of the
movie Fiddler on the Roof, Tevia?, once asked, “God, can’t you choose someone
else for once?”
It was a great blessing, but
it also brought with it a number of particular challenges and even hardships.
2. Beautiful – Esther was
exceptionally beautiful or she would not have been chosen for the harem. She
also found favor in the eyes of all. So her character was also attractive.
Weaknesses:
1. Fearful – Esther was slow
to come around to the idea of going in to visit the king. Her first reaction
was fear and concern for her own life. Perhaps a spiritual giant would have
immediately volunteered without second thought. But Esther appears to be a more
typical person. And like most of us would have, she too was afraid.
But what is more important
than her initial reaction is what she chose to do. And she chose to risk
herself to do what needed to be done. So in the end, her weakness (we are all
weak) was turned into a strength.
2. Secular? – Esther does not
appear to be especially religious or devoted to God in the text. She does call
for a fast, which may show a devotion to God. Besides this, there is no direct
evidence from the text that shows us she was a devout follower of Jehovah. It
could be that it is not recorded.
It is that “normal” or
“average” quality about her that makes the story even more powerful in some
ways. Because this is a story about God and not about Esther. It reminds us
that God uses all kinds of people, spiritual giants and just normal everyday people.
Strengths:
1. Respectful of Mordecai –
On many occasions, Esther listened to Mordecai. Even after becoming queen she
still received his counsel and followed it. Esther’s new position did not
change who she was. She did not become prideful or develop an ego.
Esther’s secular rank was
higher than Mordecai’s. But she submitted to his authority. It is a lesson on
the importance of submitting ourselves to wise mentors and counselors. Becoming
prideful after success is very easy to be entangled in. But we should not lean
on our wisdom for in the “abundance of counselors there is victory.”
2. Discerning – Esther was a
deep thinker. One case where this is seen is the first time she went in to the
king.
Esther 2:15 – When the
turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his
uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what
Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther
won the favor of everyone who saw her.
Esther did not trust in her
own ideas. She knew that Hegai had a lot of experience and would give wise
counsel. So she only took to her appointment what was recommended. It is an
example that Esther thought carefully and also was willing to take the advice
of counselors. In the end, this brought success.
3. Bold
Esther 4:11-16, 5:1-2 –
“All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for
any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being
summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the
king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty
days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” When Esther’s
words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: “Do not think
that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will
escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and
deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your
father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal
position for such a time as this?” Then Esther sent this reply to
Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and
fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my
attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even
though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
On the third day Esther put
on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of
the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall,
facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the
court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in
his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
King Xerxes had a rule that
no one could appear in his court without first being summoned, at risk of
death. There was limited access to the king.
One interesting side note is
that as children of God, we have direct access to God’s throne of grace to
appear before Him and take our requests at any time. We have much better access
than kings allowed even their queen.
Esther clearly feared for her
life. So this rule was not just a technicality, but was enforced. It took a
special act of pardon or allowance by the king in raising the scepter.
Otherwise the intruder would be executed. Remember too how harshly Vashti was
treated. She was dismissed and stripped of everything because she didn’t submit
herself to the king’s whims.
By appearing at the court
uninvited, Esther would place herself under the whims of the king. Would he be
in a good mood? Would he want to show how tough he was? Would he be ticked off
at a second unsubmissive queen?
The fear that Esther
displayed shows that she believed her life was at risk. But Mordecai correctly
told her that if she did not go, her people’s lives and her own would be
forfeit.
Psalm 56:3 – When I am
afraid I will put my trust in you.
Fear is a normal response.
But how a person responds to fear determines their character. Would Esther
allow her fear to overcome and paralyze her from taking action? Or would she
decide to act contrary to her feelings and do what she knew had to be done?
She chose the latter. And
this is what boldness is. Boldness is not the absence of anxiety or fear. It is
a choose to do what is right even when it is risky and difficult.
Esther could have kept her
identity a secret and attempted to live out her life in the comparative safety
of the harem. Or she could do whatever she could to save her people. She could
use her important position to try to win the freedom of her people. And that is
what she did.
Reflect: Share about a time
in your life when you were afraid. How did you react? Did God give you special
strength or courage to face it? If so, how?
4. Prudent –
Esther 5:4-8 – “If it
pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come
today to a banquet I have prepared for him.” “Bring Haman at once,” the
king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.” As they were drinking wine, the
king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And
what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be
granted.” Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: If the
king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition
and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the
banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Esther was received with
favor by the king. But she did not rashly blurt out what was on her mind.
Instead she invites him to a feast. Then at the feast the king again asks her
to reveal her request. And then she invites him to another feast.
Ultimately it wasn’t God’s
timing for Esther to reveal the situation to the king. He had more work to do.
However, on Esther’s part she
shows wisdom and discretion. It has been said that the quickest way to a man’s
heart is through his stomach. And Esther seems to understand that. In addition
to the food, she wants to wait for the perfect timing. Her banquets put the
king in a good and amicable mood. At the same time, she can prepare herself
mentally and think carefully about what she wants to say and how she wants to
say it.
Nobody would accuse Esther of
being rash. She is very deliberate. And she thinks through her plans carefully
before taking action. In this manner, she can be compared favorably with Daniel, who
also showed a lot of wisdom in his approach to political challenges.
Lessons from her life:
1. God is always working,
sometimes unseen (and against Satan) –
The book of Esther is notable
in the Bible for being one of only two books (Song of Solomon) which do not
mention God. Thus it has even led some to question whether the book should be
included in the Bible.
But God is sovereign. If God
wanted to include His name He would have. It not being included is also a
divine message. It is a message that God is always at work. He is always the
center of the story, even when He is not mentioned and even when people don’t
recognize it. For the entire first part of the book of Esther it looks like
God’s people are losing. It looks like He is absent. But He is not and He never
was.
Whether people see Him or
recognize what He is doing or not, He is directing history. He is bringing His
plan for His people to fruition. Many times He brings up people to accomplish
His plans such as Noah, the judges, Samuel, Ezra, Nebuchednezzar, Esther,
Mordecai, Daniel, Nehemiah, John the Baptist, etc.
Satan opposes God every step
of the way and also has his pawns he is controlling such as Haman, Hitler, and
the anti-christ.
The book of Esther is like a
spiritual chess match. God and Satan are putting their people and plans into
place. Satan launches a powerful opening move by placing Haman in the
confidences of the king and influencing the king to agree to such an evil edict.
Satan says, “check.”
But God is the master. He is
completely sovereign.
Sometimes things look bleak.
But the important thing to remember is that God is in control and God will win.
In fact, He already won when His redemptive plan for humans was fulfilled on
the cross. (Isaiah 14:27, 46:10-11, Psalms 2:4.)
The story of Esther does not
contain any stated miracles. And yet it is a miracle. God uses normal people
through normal means to accomplish His plans just as, and even more often, than
He uses spectacular miracles. Many more people are fed through normal means
than through the miraculous like the feeding of the five thousand. More people
are healed through doctors than through divine acts of healing. God uses both
ways.
2. God providence –
Providence is when God works favorably through circumstances for His people.
And we see that in the life of Esther. God used negative events to bring about
a positive outcome for the Jews. God used Esther becoming an orphan, her being
forcibly taken to join the king’s harem, her being selected as the queen, and
the king’s good mood to extend the scepter to her. All of these circumstances
were used by God for good in Esther’s life and the life of her people.
3. God uses every kind of
person – Mordecai and Esther do not appear to be as holy as Daniel or as
dedicated as Ezra and Nehemiah (other diaspora Jews).
Their family did not return
to Judah, but chose the life they had in Persia. Esther is advised by Mordecai
and does keep her identity a secret (unlike Daniel).
There is no record of them
praying to God when facing potential disaster. Prayers of Nehemiah, Ezra, and
Daniel are all recorded showing us their intimate relationship with God. Esther
does request her people to fast with her, but does not state the purpose of the
fast as approaching God for help.
Both of them appear to be
quite assimilated into the culture and kingdom around them.
To be fair, it is possible
that they did have deep relationships with God, which are simply not recorded
in Esther. It is not an exhaustive record of their lives. But if God was
paramount to them, you would expect that it might show forth in the story.
So what does all of that
mean? It means that God uses every kind of person to bring His plans to
fruition. Often times He uses exceptionally righteous and dedicated people. But
not always. He also uses normal men and women. Some of these have average faith.
And some even have no faith at all.
Wherever Esther fit on this
spectrum, we know that God used her in a great way. And that means that God can
use you too. Esther was willing to be used at great risk to herself. She was
willing to sacrifice herself for her people.
3. The kings’ heart is like
channels of water –
Proverbs 21:1 – The king’s
heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
God is the unseen force
behind this story. He not only puts His people into the right place at the
right time, but He also moves the hearts of world leaders.
King Ahasuerus couldn’t sleep
one night. So he decided to read. And then he learned of Mordecai’s
faithfulness in exposing a plot against him. This happens right in the middle
of all of Haman’s scheming, the very night before he plans to ask the king to have
Mordecai killed. Coincidence? No. God was directing King Ahasuerus’ heart.
At the end of the story of
Esther the king agrees to all of the plans offered by Esther and Mordecai.
The king may have thought
that he was in complete control, but what we see in the Book of Esther very
clearly, is that the king was only a pawn. Satan tried to use him as a pawn.
But in the end God used him as his own pawn. World leaders may take their stand
against God, but He who sits in heaven laughs.
4. Boldness should be
combined with prudence – In Esther we see a healthy combination of bold steps
taken with prudence. She was bold, but first she fasted and thought carefully
how to proceed with maximum care. A prudent person need not discard courage.
And a courageous person need not throw caution to the wind.
5. God works both through
miracles and normal means – Some stories in the Bible are miraculous, clearly
showing God’s power and might. Others are more mundane, recording the details
of everyday life. And others still are miraculous in the way that God brings
about great things through the mundane.
Do not make the mistake of
believing that because you do not see a miracle, God is not at work. Miracles
are the exception and no the rule, and that is why they are called miracles.
Far more often God works through the laws and people He has put into place.
Key Verse Summary:
Proverbs 19:21 – Many are
the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of
the Lord that will stand.
Haman had his plans, but
God’s purposes were the ones accomplished.
MARY MAGDALENE
Mary Magdalene was a woman
known in Scripture for suffering mentally, physically, and socially beneath the
weight of the dark oppression of her past, until she recognized her need for
courage to receive wholeness. Mary’s
eyes must also have told a story of sleepless nights, miserable days, deep
insecurities, and spiraling, oppressive thoughts.
The Bible describes Mary
Magdalene as a woman who had seven tormenting demons that had taken up
residency within her. Her seven
demons could probably paint a more detailed picture of her excruciating inner
struggles that affected every facet of her being. It’s doubtful her struggles
began when she was a grown woman but were years in the making.
The same is true for
us. Our biggest struggles often begin as a slow, gradual progression. Little
by little, disappointments in life threaten to leave us unable to thrive in our
healthiest version. Pressing our hearts and minds into God’s Word daily
requires courage. So what a gift it is to have access to the stories of the
women of the Bible.
Demonic possession might seem
a bit far-fetched and unrelatable if you’ve not read her story, but there’s
credibility in the fact that she is mentioned in Scripture thirteen times.
As we look more closely into
Mary Magdalene’s world, most of us can relate to having seven different kinds
of inner struggles throughout our lives. The enemy goes to great
lengths to imprison God’s children.
We women carry within us a
gamut of emotions, some big and some small by the world’s determination, but
all are relative and important in God’s value system. Given the fact that women
held little importance in ancient biblical history, Mary Magdalene went about
her days feeling hopeless, lifeless. Unnoticed by society. But Jesus noticed
Mary and cured her of evil spirits and her infirmities and lovingly invited her
into His intimate friend group.
“You are my friends if you do
what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not
know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I
have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14–15
Mary Magdalene is living
proof that Jesus loves every one of us, just as we are. But He loves each of us
too much to leave us the way we are. He notices us during the darkest of our days. He sees beyond our faults
and failures to our deepest need and willingly absorbs all we can’t be into all
that He is.
There’s a world of truth in
the old adage, “We become who we hang out with.”
Being welcomed by the Savior
of the world into His inner circle was an honor Mary would not have taken for
granted. And we can celebrate the joy of knowing the same invitation of love
and friendship with Jesus is extended to us.
After three years of
following Jesus, Mary Magdalene lived a life that was poured out in service to
the gospel. The transformative love Mary experienced changed her from
the inside out. Her physical countenance was radiant with the joy of
knowing how to live life to the fullest. Mary Magdalene could not do enough for
Jesus, who had loved her with the purest and most powerful kind of love she’d
ever been exposed to.
Mary Magdalene—a woman whose
mind was once scrambled and miserable with behaviors seeming insane and
erratic—was entrusted by God to be the first witness to the resurrection.
Mary must have stood stunned
to find the tomb empty as the story is recounted in John 20. How could she ever
forget the raw transparency of crying near the tomb where Jesus’ dead body had
been placed but was missing. Mistaking Jesus as a gardener, Mary cried, “Sir,
if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get
him.”
Who better to have gone to
the tomb than she who had been entombed in darkness? Who better to have
discovered the tomb emptied than Mary, who had been emptied of death?
Once deranged, Mary
Magdalene’s life had been rearranged.
We can humble ourselves
knowing Jesus isn’t impressed with fame. He
appeared not to kings or rulers and not to his male disciples, but to a woman
whose love and gratitude held her near to the cross and led her to discover new
life in living flesh and blood.
- Mary’s life reveals how there is no human frailty
too great for Jesus to transform.
- Mary teaches us to courageously come to Jesus
with our bondages.
- Mary’s courage helps us understand the importance
of choosing the right friends for our journey of life. Like-minded friends
who are Jesus followers. Friends who pray for and support each other.
- Mary’s broken condition actually positioned her
as a credible candidate to follow Jesus.
- Mary Magdalene teaches us how to support our
friends who have gifts and God-assignments as she did her own friends, the
disciples.
- Mary teaches us how to multiply the gospel by
uninhibitedly sharing that Jesus is alive.
- Mary teaches us how there’s no competition in
using our gifts in service to the Lord. We can multiply the gospel more
effectively by supporting others while leading and operating courageously
in our own lanes.
- Mary Magdalene helps us understand how Jesus has
a heart for brokenness, and in His eyes, brokenness can be our most
powerful credential.
- Mary’s example reveals how to courageously
embrace a future we don’t fully understand but desperately need.
- Mary sets the standard for moving forward, beyond
the darkness, to the light and love of Jesus rather than becoming stuck in
dead emotions.
- Mary helps us see that no matter how unnoticed,
disqualified, or mischaracterized by the labels of others, we are a friend
of God.
- Mary helps us understand how the history we each
carry within us can either paralyze or propel us toward wholeness.
- Mary’s story encourages us to trust that our
wholeness and well-being are a process Jesus deeply cares about.
- Mary’s life inspires us that we, too, are God’s
beloved daughters and have been given access to the kingdom of God through
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
- Mary’s life, having been raised from death to new
life, portrays the gospel message in a way few other Bible characters did.
- Mary Magdalene was the model for the John 3:16
promise. She believed that Jesus was the Son of God and stepped out of a
perishing life to embrace her new, everlasting life, taking on the mind
Christ.
“For who has understood the
mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 1
Corinthians 2:16
