What's the Scoop on Sarah?

Waiting.

Can’t say that I have mastered the art of waiting. Not sure if it is the momentum of the present day culture that distracts me from the mandate in scripture to “wait” or just an unsettledness woven into the fabric of my personality. Either way I confess I am clearly not a professional waiter.

When I look back on my spiritual journey with God, I realized that there have been things that I waited on that did come, indeed, to pass in spite of my weakness in waiting well. But still there are others that clearly have yet to come to account. I find myself wearying in my waiting.

In scripture, we find someone that we can grab a little encouragement from when there seems to be no end to the waiting process. This past week, we gathered together in Women’s Bible study to examine the life of our sister Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Most of us remember her mainly for her taking matters into her own hands and trying to fulfill God’s promise of a child through her maidservant Hagar. The general perception is that she wasn’t very good at waiting. Can’t imagine how many people throughout history have used her as a model of what not to do rather then applauding her for what she did do. Let’s take a brief overview of Sarah’s call to wait.

- Sarah is married to Abraham.

- God speaks to Abraham and tells him to leave his country of origin and travel to an unknown land. Abraham obeys and Sarah goes with.

- Sarah leaves all her friends, family, and all that was familiar to share whatever Abraham’s future held. She was sixty.

- Fast forward seventeen years and Sarah is still without the promised heir. She is now 77 and well beyond her child bearing years.

- Since bearing children was seen as a duty and a privilege, Sarah decided to adopt the solution that was prevalent in the Middle Eastern culture at that time. This custom encouraged a woman to use a surrogate to produce offspring for their husbands. Keep in mind there was no law at this time and Abraham and Sarah were still learning about who God was and what He could do. This is where Hagar becomes part of the patriarchal picture and gives birth to Ishmael.

- Thirteen years after Ishmael is born, God again appears to Abraham and confirms that Sarah would bear Abram a son. One year later, the promise is fulfilled and Isaac is birthed.

Since I am really good at math, I thought I would break this down for you.

  60      Sarah’s age when leaving her home land.

+17      # years making their way to Canaan and then living there.

+13      # years of waiting after Ishmael is born.

=90      Age when God reconfirms promise and Isaac is born.

-60      Original age when Sarah left her home land.

=30      Years Sarah spent in waiting.



I don’t know about you but that is a very long time by my standards. Probably by yours as well. As we talked about this during class, a question was presented. Why did God make them wait so long? I have heard several answers to this question over the years. Some were that God had them wait to show that it had to be God, or perhaps it had to be God’s perfect timing, or maybe it was to display the difference between the law and grace (a whole different theological discussion that would revolve around charts and a sweeping course of study that would span the old and new testament a like). But something occurred to me that I hadn’t ever thought of and it is reflected in the following scripture.

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD; look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.” Isaiah 51:1-2

These words come from God at a time when Israel was desperately waiting for His deliverance. Things had not been going well and God was encouraging them not to lose heart. Notice whom He sites as an example to follow, your father Abraham and Sarah who gave you birth. Even as God seemed to have tarried in His promise to Abraham and Sarah and was still faithful, He would be to them too!

Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:11 “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warning for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.”

Could it be that part of why God allowed Abraham and Sarah to wait for so long was because He knew that we would have times in our lives where we would have to wait too? Could it be that Sarah is an example for us to follow rather then a woman to be criticized? Knowing God’s heart and tenderness towards His people I would lean towards the former rather then the latter. I think God knows how hard it is for us to wait. I think He knows our struggles with insecurity and fear. I think He is aware of the root of why we can’t stand waiting. But in spite of it all, our feelings don’t change his faithfulness. Perhaps you find yourself wearying in waiting, don’t let how you feel change who God is and His promise to you. He doesn’t change. The same God that was faithful to Abraham your father and Sarah who gave you birth, will be faithful to you.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36

Twelve Words or Less

The day was fast approaching. I knew it was just a matter of time and I would have to face the inevitable. Every year, right around March, the confrontation waits. This time I was hoping that I would get through the ordeal a bit better but deep down in the very core of my being, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. It was the day on my Bible reading schedule where I would come face to face with Proverbs 17. It isn’t the whole chapter I dread, per se; it is just verse 28. It is the very last sentence in the chapter and it leaves me feeling taunted by its simplistic wisdom as I close out that passage of scripture. Wisdom that I have prayed that I would walk in but seldom do.

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

Can anyone relate? While God has graced me with a speaking gift, I just don’t seem to know when to quit it. But that isn’t the only verse that mocks me, there are more. How about?

“When words are many, sin in not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

“The more words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” Ecc. 6:11

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint.” Proverbs 17:27

Can’t you just feel my anxiety? My call is to speak but clearly these scriptures tell us that there will be a time when the ‘less is more’ principle applies. When will I learn that it isn’t the number but how notable the words are that bring revelation?. They don’t need to be plenteous just potent, not copious just convicting and not bountiful just brilliant and not superfluous but filled with the Spirit.

But try as I may, it seems that I have a wagon load of words that I never can seem to use up. People who study these things say that generally women use about 3,000 more words per day then men. When this statistic is alluded to, my husband always quips “and they must be used”. Men don’t seem to have the problem of left over words at the end of the day. I know I live with three of them. Maybe that is why I have so many extra; I feel that I need to use up theirs. I just hate to see anything go to waste.

It seems God never has this problem. In 12 succinct words found in Mark 1, God delivers a message that would transform the lives of not only those who heard it with their own ears but also for those of generations to follow. This message would be the kind that revolutionizes the course of spiritual and world history forever. It would alter men’s hearts eternally and ignite a furious love for God matched only by a supernatural response evidenced by a radical obedience. What were these 12 words?

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’.” Mark 1:11

If you are familiar with Mark 1:11, you will immediately recall that this is the account of Jesus’ baptism where the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove and God spoke. To appreciate Gods succinct and sufficient wording we first want to recognize that this one verse is taken from three sources in the Old Testament. In the Hebraic mind, when a portion of scripture was quoted, their thoughts would go to the entire passage surrounding that portion. Let’s take a moment to think the way a Jew, who witnessed this event, might think and explore these three slices from scripture together.

“You are my son” comes from Psalm 2:7 where “the LORD” addresses the anointed King as His Son. At Jesus’ baptism he began His official role as God’s anointed King and Son.

"whom I love” may represent an Isaac/Jesus typology from Genesis 22:2, where Isaac is Abraham’s only son “whom you love”. Abraham’s willingness to offer his beloved son would be corresponding to God’s offering of his Son.

“with you I am well pleased” echoes Isaiah 42:1, where the faithful and suffering servant of the LORD is identified as God’s chosen one.

Within these few words God was telling all those who were present that this man was God’s son as well as an anointed King. He was deeply loved by God and as Abraham gave up his son “whom he loved”, God was about to give up His son “whom He loved”. He also draws from one of the suffering servant passages found in the book of Isaiah that describes this servant as not only as one God is well pleased with but one in whom God’s Spirit would rest on. This servant would be humble, gentle and faithful, filled with justice and one who would not be discouraged until he has finished what He was sent to do. This man standing before their very eyes is, in a nutshell, God’s Son, King, Servant and Messiah.

I can only imagine what the Jewish scholars and theologians of that day must have thought. No doubt they were rendered speechless. I am sure they knew their scriptures and could present an argument well. They probably had spent countless hours debating and theorizing what the Messiah would be like. In spite of all their study and understanding, God managed to wrap the entire vision of this Savior in one concise sentence.

It wasn’t the number of words He used but how notable they were, they weren’t plenteous just potent, not copious just convicting, not bountiful just brilliant and not superfluous but of the spirit. Succinct and sufficient!

One day maybe I will be able to deliver such a potent message in just 12 words. Until then I am reminded by this scripture that it isn’t the amount of words I use for God that matters but the amount of God that is in my words.

“God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let my words be few.”
          Ecclesiastes 5:2b

"What's the Scoop on........Delilah?"

On Tuesday in Bible Study Annie taught on Delilah.  Many of us know Delilah as the Philistine woman who tricked Samson into betraying the secret of his great physical strength.  As I read over the account of Samson and Delilah found in Judges 16 from the Life Application Bible, a sentence in the commentary jumped out at me: “A person’s greatest accomplishment may well be helping others accomplish great things.”  I was intrigued to see how we would apply this concept to this notorious woman.

Before he was born, Samson’s calling was prophesied by an angel, “No razor may be used on his head, because the boy is to be a Nazirite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines” (Judges 13:5, emphasis added). God had set Samson apart for a very special purpose. At the time of Samson’s birth Israel had suffered much under the oppression of the Philistines.  As you read through chapters 13-15 of Judges, the time of Samson sat as judge, you can see that his actions resulted in the death of many Philistines.

Delilah entered Samson’s life when he had been judging Israel for 20 years.  Throughout chapter 16 it is obvious the amount of influence that Delilah held over Samson.  He was thoroughly under her manipulative control.  She nagged him mercilessly in order to discover the secret of his strength. “Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death” (Judges 16:15-16).  Samson finally acquiesced to her demands, resulting in tragic personal consequences.

As we have progressed in our study of the women of the bible throughout the year we have learned that all woman have influence, either positive or negative.  Delilah was a woman of influence-of very bad influence! She manipulated Samson into betraying the very special calling God had placed on his life.

Like Samson, God may call some of us to a very specific, visible purpose. It may be a position of leadership, to start a ministry, set out for the mission field or maybe a public speaker. But God also calls many of us to something that might not be as concrete. We may be called to help someone else fulfill the vision God has given them. This is no less a calling of God.  As we have been studying in Sunday services, the individual gifts of the Spirit enable the body of Christ to function together as a whole, for the glory of God.  Each part needs the others.

If we are called to come alongside someone to help them fulfill their God-given purpose there are a few things we can do to better serve them as they serve the Lord.

1)Prayer  -  “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”(James 5:16b).  You can pray not only for the needs of this person but also that you would have wisdom in how you could serve them best.

2) Gift of helps - “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”  (Ecc. 9:10a).  Do whatever might need to be done. Do what you can do so they have the time and concentration to do what God asks of them.  God will equip you with what He asks you to do.

3) Words of encouragement -  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Eph.4:29).  Challenge them to be the best that they can be.

4) Willingly offer yourself as God’s instrument in their lives - “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Eph. 6:7). As it also says in Romans 12:1b, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship”.  As we willingly offer ourselves in service we please Him.

As women of positive influence we want to spur those around us to do what God has called them to do. Delilah is certainly not an example for us to follow.  She used her influence to achieve her own purposes, much to the detriment of Samson.  As we embrace the calling that God has upon all our lives to accomplish His purposes, we will fill no greater contentment.  Whether that call is to a position of leadership, to step out on the mission field, open our mouths in public speaking or to come alongside and encourage and help those who are.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praises through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.  Amen.” (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Bible Memorization Project - The Sequel - Verse Six

Hello Everyone!!  Happy Spring!!  How are my memory masters doing this beautiful spring day?

I find myself wondering how you folks are doing now that we have passed the half way point in our project.  If you are still tracking, I know that the Lord is blessing you and meeting you where you are.  Today in Bible Study Eva shared a testimony and word of encouragement that I thought I would pass on to you.  It brought us that needed boost to propel us into the second half of our project.  Enjoy!! 

Remember not to forget to post your verse in the comment section below.  We love doing this with you!  Your enthusiasm blesses us!

Blessings!

Do not be discouraged (by Eva Jester)


Some of you that are participating in the bible memorization project (the sequel) may be asking yourself right now as we approach verse 6, what did I get myself in to!

Let me encourage you! God has been challenging me and convicting me for a long time to memorize scripture but until this project, I had never memorized scripture like this. I will say that I am thoroughly enjoying it and God has given me the ability to memorize these scriptures fairly easily which came as a total shock to me.

However I should not have been shocked at the information that our brains are capable of storing for long periods of time. As some of you know, my son Nathaniel is 7 years old. He participates in what is called Pee Wee Bible Quiz which challenges the children to learn over 140 bible questions during a season and they have three meets where they compete against other children from other churches around NJ.

A friend had asked me, aren't you concerned about the competition among the children? My reply was that the best thing about this program is the children are learning to memorize bible facts & can even quote some scripture. You should see how quickly these children can answer all of these questions & in many cases they have memorized both the whole question & answer.  When I compare the stack of their 140 cards against my ten I become convinced that I could finish this project.

The most important thing is you are hiding God's Word in your heart, like my son & the other children. They come with so much excitement to learn God's Word & so should we.

We can do this.. I know we can!!!

April - May 2012 Calender

Here is the calender that will cover our classes for the remainder of the year. In a few weeks we will announce what's in store for the summer!!

March 27^th - Sarah

April 3^rd – No WBS (Easter Break)

April 10^th – Potiphar’s Wife

April 17^th–Huldah/Bible Memorization Verse 8

April 24^th - Athaliah & Jehosheba

May 1^st – Ruth/ Bible Memorization Verse 9

May 8^th – No WBS (District Council)

May 15^th –Anna/Bible Memorization Verse 10

May 22^nd - Esther

May 29^th – Closing Day:  Bride of Christ

"What's the Scoop on........the Proverbs 31 Woman?"

Arlene’s message on Tuesday was on the Proverbs 31 Woman.  Although the mention of her name might evoke a feeling of dread,  Arlene taught us that there is no need to be afraid.  Her lesson dispelled these feelings of fear by giving us practical ways to apply the truths found in these verses to our lives.  Please read Proverbs 31:10-30.

Many of us in the Tuesday morning group are taking part in the “31 in 31” challenge – reading through the book of Proverbs during the month of March. Our slogan is “31 Days to a Wiser You”.  Proverbs is a book of wisdom.  Wisdom is not merely knowledge but it is the ability to function successfully in life. It is practical. God gives us wisdom so that we will glorify Him in our daily lives.  Arlene pointed out that in Scripture, all wisdom has a feminine value.  (Similar to the way a boat would be a ‘she’.)  The woman we see in Proverbs 31 is wisdom personified, that is what wisdom looks like in a practical sense. The precepts contained in these verses could be applied to both men and women.

A)  Wisdom manages her fears and responds with courage.  In verse 10, the Proverbs 31 Woman is said to have noble character.  In scripture this word gives us the image of a warrior, someone full of strength, valor, and victorious.

B)  Wisdom manages her time well.  We manage our time well by preparing for the day ahead and being organized. We also have to invest time into our relationships. The fruit of this investment can be found in Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”.   Arlene asked us to consider some things that may steal our time: unproductive relationships, abundance of possessions,  a disorganized home.

C) Wisdom manages her treasure well. God will give us what we need, not necessarily what we want.  We can also find wisdom regarding our treasure in Proverbs 30:7-9, “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Of course God wants us to be good stewards of what He has given us. This includes spending our money carefully.  It would be wisdom to save up money for a big purchase rather than going into debt by buying impulsively.

D)  Wisdom manages her talents well. Managing our talents means that we use our skills where they will most benefit our families.  We need to be aware of our own limitations and  also recognize the gifts that he has put in those around us. He desires us to be dependant of each other as well as on Himself.  Being self-sufficient is not a gift from God.

E)  Wisdom manages her tongue. It says in Proverbs 31: “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue”. God has much to say about our tongue and our words throughout scripture. Our words are to be filled with grace, seasoned with salt, and pleasing to God.

To help us understand wisdom, Arlene gave us the image of wisdom being a rare treasure.  She asked us ‘if wisdom is the treasure than what is the key to unlocking it?’.   The answer is found in Isaiah 33:6, “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure”.  It also says in Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.  In order to better grasp this concept Arlene gave us three facets of this precious key which is fear of the Lord.

Admiration:  Some of the innumerable qualities of the Lord we admire are his: omnipresence, omnipotence, transcendence, righteousness, and holiness.

Amazement: There is so much that amazes us about God. He loves us unconditionally. He rejoices over us. We are precious in His sight.

Respect:  Because we accept Jesus’ death on the cross as the payment made to cover our sin we are free from the judgment to come. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:28-29).  Respecting God means accepting His discipline.  Reading through Proverbs, it is clear how important this is to God. His discipline is in love, truly for our good, in order to teach us His ways, not to punish us. God is not an abusive parent. He is preparing us for what He has in store.  The question to ask is not ‘why?’ but ‘what am I learning from this?”.

Arlene gave us four ways in which we could grow in the fear of the Lord and apply the principles that we learned to our lives.   Before explaining this more fully, she pointed out that a good test in determining if we fear the Lord is how quickly we obey Him.  When God asks us to do something, our concern shouldn’t be based on what we think the outcome will be. If He is asking you to do something, He will be with you.   

1) Fan the flame:  God tells us “I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them” (Jer. 32:39).  Growing in the fear of the Lord is a combined effort.  As we seek after God He will do a work in us.

2) Pray:  David, a man after God’s heart prayed, “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11).  A good example to follow.

3) Regular exposure to teaching: – Attending a bible study is a great way to do this.  This is something we want to be actively engaged in, by doing our homework and taking notes.

4) Go for Depth:  You want to know God’s word for yourself, not just what other people say about it.  By doing research on your own using commentaries (many good ones are available on-line) and other study tools will bring you a depth of understanding.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty if fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”.  Proverbs 31:30

 

Thirty-one Thursday

Hello everyone! 

How are you enjoying your journey through Proverbs?  I know that over and over God is speaking to me about wisdom versus folly and the blessing of His discipline in my life.  What a comfort to know that God loves me enough to shut doors and to correct bad attitudes so that I am free to experience more of Him and what He has for me.  I wouldn't want it any other way.  It took me a while to get to this point but I am relieved that this thicked headed daughter is finally getting it.  :-)  The Lord disciplines those He loves.  Proverbs 3:12

I offer this proverb to you as a prayer today.  "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."  Proverbs 15:30.

May God bring cheerful looks to bring joy to your heart and outstanding news that brings life to your whole spirit, soul and body. 

Love you much!!

"What's the Scoop on........the Widow of Zarephath?"

Today in Bible Study Jan taught on the Widow of Zarephath. The widow’s story can be found in 1 Kings 17. We meet her as she encounters Elijah, the prophet of God. As I was thinking about this post I was reminded that Jesus also mentioned the Widow of Zarephath in Luke 4. I was curious why her encounter with Elijah  would have been compelling enough for Jesus to use as He taught in the synagogue.  Let’s see what is so significant about her story.

Before looking at what Jesus had to say, we will take a look at 1 Kings 17.

Elijah was a prophet of God sent to the evil King Ahab.  Elijah prophesized that there would be a drought over Israel for three years.  As water became scarce,  God sent Elijah to Zarephath.  "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food” (1 Kings 17:9).  Sidon was a city in the land of Phoenicia, north of Israel.  It was the homeland of Ahab’s wicked wife Jezebel; a land of Baal worship.

The Miracle of Provision

As Elijah entered the town he saw a widow gathering sticks. He asked her for a drink of water and a piece of bread. She replied, "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug” (1 Kings 17:12a).  Elijah told her “For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land” (1 Kings 17:14).  Her circumstances were dire. She only had enough for a small meal for herself and her son yet she obeyed Elijah’s request.  God was faithful to His promise. “For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:16).

The Miracle of Resurrection

After a period of time the widow’s son became sick and died.  In response to the widow’s anguish Elijah interceded on her behalf to the Lord. “The LORD heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived” (1 Kings 17:22).  Upon receiving her son back the widow proclaimed,  “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth” (1 Kings 17:24).

The Miracle of Grace

Now let’s jump ahead to Luke 4.  Jesus had returned to His hometown of Nazareth. He was speaking on the Sabbath in the synagogue. “I tell you the truth," he continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy  in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian."  (Luke 4:24-27).

Have you ever considered how gracious our God is? He knew that the Jews would have hard hearts toward the message of the Lord.  He sent Elijah to a poor Gentile women who lived in a pagan land. Because of God’s grace not only did she witness two supernatural miracles but they brought her amazing blessings.  The Israelites were His chosen people whom He loved yet God’s plan of redemption was so much bigger than they could conceive.  Jesus offers redemption not only to the Jewish people but to us as well.  I praise God that because of His grace we can be included in His plan!!

"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).