Ons het almal al gehoor van hierdie vrou. Sy’t in die muur van Jerigo gewoon, en het ‘n beroep gehad wat menige se wenkbroue laat lig het. Ja, dit is Ragab van wie ons praat en haar naam het beteken, breed of groot. Hierdie was ‘n vrou wat maklik na haarself kon kyk en besluit dat sy nie veel vir enigiemand werd kon wees nie.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Ragab
Monday, October 11, 2010
Martha
Every time I read about Martha I wonder: Who was this woman actually? The name Martha means “A lady and Mistress” Martha was a woman in charge. She was a woman like so many of us, she’s got so many traits that’s so similar to everyone of us. We see Martha as the woman working, preparing food and serving and then on top of everything she went to Jesus and complained about her sister sitting at His feet, doing nothing. Martha is the woman described in the Bible that can be identified as a Proverbs 31 woman. We so often see someone and assess them on what we see, without knowing them.
Let’s go and visit with Martha and get to know her a bit better.
(Luk 10:38-30 and John 11:1 – 12:11)
Entertainment and hospitality were traits very high esteemed in those days. The Jews were watching you closely when entertaining your guests, and to determine your standards according to others. Martha was very aware of this fact and thus were very precise when she entertained het guests. This is the reason why she was working so hard, to make sure that everything was in place and served at the right time. It was unacceptable that Mary not only her sister, but also a woman in her household did not do her part. There was work to be done, and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet not worrying about nothing. (Luk 10:40)
Don’t you think we do the same? We don’t want people to get the wrong impression of us, and we’ll do anything to make them believe that we are the best. We also want some help, and that everybody should do their part. Do you think Martha was unrealistic in her expectations of Mary?
The answer is: No. Even Jesus understood Martha. His words showed Martha that there is another side to this situation. Luk10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her“ Martha was a perfectionist, she didn’t want anything to go wrong, and that could have a negative reflection on her or her house. Jesus showed Martha that even when you are busy with a lot of things, it is still important to make time for Him. We need to have a time to be still and at His feet. Jesus didn’t belittle her nor did He fight with her, He only directed her.
Do you still make time to go and sit at Jesus’ feet? Do you still listen to His voice? When you are showed your mistakes, are you willing to acknowledge them and make the necessary changes? Martha did.
Martha sends for Jesus. We also read that Martha was the one that went out to greet Jesus, on His arrival, after Lazarus had died. This was the actions of the head of a household. She spoke to Jesus as one with authority in her family (Joh 11:21). She told Him that she had put her trust in Him, and that she was disappointed, because he didn’t show up earlier. She made a faith declaration in verse 27, that Jesus is Christ, this was the same declaration Peter made. This declaration put her on the same level as Peter, as they were the only 2 to do that. What a wonderful experience, that Jesus although late according to our standards of time, still did the wonder of raising Lazarus from the dead.
We read in John 12:3, that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, while they were busy eating. Martha still the person she was, served Jesus personally (v2), but this time it didn’t bother her that Mary was at Jesus’ feet. She remembered her lesson from before that everybody needs to serve Him in their own way. She could serve Jesus through her ability to entertain and with her hospitality and even her through her leadership. Every one of us has talents, and capabilities that we must employ to serve Him.
We have to learn that there is a place for everybody, and that all our personalities are different. Jesus has got the time for everyone of us, individually. No two persons are the same, and as Jesus didn’t chase Martha away, He will never do you. He will direct your attention to your mistake and then leave it up to you to change or not. We are being warned through the history of Martha that we must be sure to make time for Him. Don’t be so busy with the things of God that you forget about the God of all these things.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Dinah daughter of Jacob and Leah
Genesis 34
We have met Jacob and know about his 12 sons. We have read about his 2 wife’s Rachel and Leah and we also know about the other women he had. Jacob, his wives, children and grand children were all 66 people in total. That makes this a very big family; you get the whole family tree in Gen 46.
We sometimes look at our children and get disappointed, with all their teenager stages. Sometimes we wonder where our children get all these moods and things. Their attitudes are sometimes very unacceptable and unsocial or too much outspoken. That makes me think of the scripture that says, nothing is new, everything that is has been and things that have been it. Reading the story of Dinah is precisely what the Bible says.
We read about a young girl of about 13-16 years. Maybe she felt that her parents were too strict with her, and they didn’t give her any breathing space. Maybe she didn’t like the discipline they enforced. In a big family like theirs there must have been lots of people to talk to and to share her time with, but like the young people we know today, she wanted friends. This young girl Dinah decided that she was going to the nearby town to look for friends. She didn’t consult her parents or family about it and just sneaked of. It is not acceptable for a girl to wonder off and that without a chaperon especially in the times they lived. But Dinah was looking for friends of her own age, and a social life. Did she really think of what could happen if she didn’t look out and be careful? Did she realize that she actually played with fire to wonder of to that town where she knew nobody all by herself?
But Dinah was not happy to be at home and to keep her busy with the things she had to learn to become a good wife some day. They didn’t have the technology we have today, and she would have had to learn to sow, cook, doing the washing and all the normal tasks of a woman. She rebelled against all that, and that reminds me of our children or young people today.
Gen 34:1 “went out to see the daughters of the land.” We read here that Dinah went off by herself she didn’t take anybody with and she didn’t tell anybody where she was going. Gen 34:2-4 “And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.”
We read about 2 young people, Shechem and Dinah, they slept together. The defile the Bible speaks of here is that Dinah was robbed of her virginity, she was unclean. The 2 young people started a relationship and they fell in love with one another. When we look at the way this incident is described it is not violent with which we associate a rape with.
This could be any one of our children. What Shechem and Dinah did is exactly what our youngster is doing. They are always on the lookout for friends and a social life, and they don’t want to be bound by their parents. Most of the young people today don’t worry about living a moral life, and they don’t want to learn to live a pure and moral life. The young people come under the influences of their friends and because of peer pressure; they will do anything to be accepted.
These are the problems we have, and it is exactly what the people did in the day of Noah. If we keep on teasing the Lord, how long will it be before He will send judgment on us as he did with the people living in the day of Noah? This problem is not restricted to one town or country; it has become a worldwide phenomenon. We have TV shows, the Internet, Airplanes and pleasure boats and all these things and so many more shrinked the world so that we can know what is happening on the other end of the world with the press of a button.
Shechem thought he could right the wrong that he did by marrying Dinah. That would be the responsible thing to do... He asked his dad to speak to Dinah’s dad as their customs was. Jacob decided not to make any decisions until he spoke to his sons, who were in the fields attending their flocks. When word got to Dinah’s brothers they came home, to sort out the problem.
The end of this story is that Simeon and Levi decided to take matters into their own hands to sort out this town. They didn’t attend to the young man and his family, they attached the whole town. This rage that had was because their sister had been defiled, and it was a very big scandal that came upon their whole family. The thing is in situations like this, the attention is always drawn to the girl, but what about the boy involved. He is as guilty as she is.
Will our children realize what the values of their bodies are? We got the responsibility from the Lord to pray, when we see our brother at fault, so that he will turn from his wicked ways. 1 John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. “
Let us pray for our youth, so that they will not act on the lusts of their bodies like Shechem and Dinah did. If your reading this blog today is in a relationship like that, turn from your wrong ways and seek God.
He that is the beginning and end and everything of what we believe in. He knows you, He knows your needs and He will provide...
We have met Jacob and know about his 12 sons. We have read about his 2 wife’s Rachel and Leah and we also know about the other women he had. Jacob, his wives, children and grand children were all 66 people in total. That makes this a very big family; you get the whole family tree in Gen 46.
We sometimes look at our children and get disappointed, with all their teenager stages. Sometimes we wonder where our children get all these moods and things. Their attitudes are sometimes very unacceptable and unsocial or too much outspoken. That makes me think of the scripture that says, nothing is new, everything that is has been and things that have been it. Reading the story of Dinah is precisely what the Bible says.
We read about a young girl of about 13-16 years. Maybe she felt that her parents were too strict with her, and they didn’t give her any breathing space. Maybe she didn’t like the discipline they enforced. In a big family like theirs there must have been lots of people to talk to and to share her time with, but like the young people we know today, she wanted friends. This young girl Dinah decided that she was going to the nearby town to look for friends. She didn’t consult her parents or family about it and just sneaked of. It is not acceptable for a girl to wonder off and that without a chaperon especially in the times they lived. But Dinah was looking for friends of her own age, and a social life. Did she really think of what could happen if she didn’t look out and be careful? Did she realize that she actually played with fire to wonder of to that town where she knew nobody all by herself?
But Dinah was not happy to be at home and to keep her busy with the things she had to learn to become a good wife some day. They didn’t have the technology we have today, and she would have had to learn to sow, cook, doing the washing and all the normal tasks of a woman. She rebelled against all that, and that reminds me of our children or young people today.
Gen 34:1 “went out to see the daughters of the land.” We read here that Dinah went off by herself she didn’t take anybody with and she didn’t tell anybody where she was going. Gen 34:2-4 “And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. And Shechem spake unto his father Hamor, saying, Get me this damsel to wife.”
We read about 2 young people, Shechem and Dinah, they slept together. The defile the Bible speaks of here is that Dinah was robbed of her virginity, she was unclean. The 2 young people started a relationship and they fell in love with one another. When we look at the way this incident is described it is not violent with which we associate a rape with.
This could be any one of our children. What Shechem and Dinah did is exactly what our youngster is doing. They are always on the lookout for friends and a social life, and they don’t want to be bound by their parents. Most of the young people today don’t worry about living a moral life, and they don’t want to learn to live a pure and moral life. The young people come under the influences of their friends and because of peer pressure; they will do anything to be accepted.
These are the problems we have, and it is exactly what the people did in the day of Noah. If we keep on teasing the Lord, how long will it be before He will send judgment on us as he did with the people living in the day of Noah? This problem is not restricted to one town or country; it has become a worldwide phenomenon. We have TV shows, the Internet, Airplanes and pleasure boats and all these things and so many more shrinked the world so that we can know what is happening on the other end of the world with the press of a button.
Shechem thought he could right the wrong that he did by marrying Dinah. That would be the responsible thing to do... He asked his dad to speak to Dinah’s dad as their customs was. Jacob decided not to make any decisions until he spoke to his sons, who were in the fields attending their flocks. When word got to Dinah’s brothers they came home, to sort out the problem.
The end of this story is that Simeon and Levi decided to take matters into their own hands to sort out this town. They didn’t attend to the young man and his family, they attached the whole town. This rage that had was because their sister had been defiled, and it was a very big scandal that came upon their whole family. The thing is in situations like this, the attention is always drawn to the girl, but what about the boy involved. He is as guilty as she is.
Will our children realize what the values of their bodies are? We got the responsibility from the Lord to pray, when we see our brother at fault, so that he will turn from his wicked ways. 1 John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. “
Let us pray for our youth, so that they will not act on the lusts of their bodies like Shechem and Dinah did. If your reading this blog today is in a relationship like that, turn from your wrong ways and seek God.
He that is the beginning and end and everything of what we believe in. He knows you, He knows your needs and He will provide...
Thursday, October 29, 2009
ADULTOROUS WOMAN, RECEIVES MERCY
JOHN 8 :3-6
This is the story told about a woman who was taken in adultery, and brought before Jesus.Many times we sin and we think that no body knows about it. This woman did what she did, but she didn't advertise it for all to know and see. The people in her community knew what she did and they kept a close eye on her, so that they could catch her in the act, to bring her before Jesus.
Her deeds made her unacceptable to the people, she was rejected from society. She was the transgressor, the accused brought to court to be dealt with. When they brought her to the court they didn't hesitate, but accused her without hesitation.
John 8:3-4 “And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act."
What was Jesus' reaction? What was He going to do? What was He going to say? ... Guilty or Innocent .... Jesus did not answer them, he stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. Maybe the scribes and Pharisees thought Jesus don't know what to answer.
Have you ever experience it, that you said or did something an then felt guilty about it afterwords? Jesus did nothing, He only bent down and wrote on the ground. He didn't look at them but gave them time to think.. because He knew their hearts. These accusers had no compassion, they wanted Jesus to deal with this unwanted woman.
Then Jesus gave them a command....
John 8:7 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. .”
Jesus didn't accuse anyone, but asked that the one who was without any no sin, cast the first stone on her. No one followed through, no, one by one they turned around and disappeared in the multitudes of people. They suddenly realized that none of them could stand blameless in front of God.
Only the accused and the people Jesus were teaching stayed behind. But Jesus was not finished with this woman, he hasn't even spoken to her. Then He said, that He also did not condemn her, John 8:11. This means that we can go to Jesus with whatever our problem, doesn't matter what we have done, He will not condemn us. That doesn't mean that Jesus will allow us our sins, no look at what Jesus said to her: "go, and sin no more." With this Jesus told her that whatever she did, was not the way to go, but still the decision was hers to do with what she want.
Jesus is saying the same to us, He does not accuse or condemn us, but in His presence sin can not be, sin is brought to light, and then He leaves the decision up to us. It is only through turning from our wicked ways, and by stop doing what is not right, that we can get healed. God will not make us do what we don't want to, no He still leave it up to us. He wants us to make the right decision by ourselves.
Lets have mercy with others, as we want others and God to show mercy unto us.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Naomi the woman who was embittered
Read Ruth 1
From afar we can say she was Ruth's mother in law. This woman stayed in a foreign country, dew to the drought, but she returned to her own people when the drought has passed. The get to know Naomi better we have to take a look at what her circumstances were like, who were the people in her life and how it affected her and lastly what she has done and the decisions she made.
The first thing we read about is that Naomi lived in the time of the Judges, and that they experienced a severe drought has passed. We also read about her husband and children. We don't read much about them only in the first five versus of chapter 1. There we read about Elimelech - Naomi's husband and Mahlon and Ghilion their two sons.
The affect Elimelech had on Naomi
Elimelech was a type of God and Naomi represented the Israelites. The death of Elimelech and the widowhood of Naomi represented the circumstances of the nation. This means that the Israelites has turned their backs to God and started to worship foreign gods, it also shows that God was dead to them. The drought indicate Naomi's widowhood, because God did not provided for them anymore.
Elimelech has decided to relocate, but he did not stay within the nation's boundaries, he immigrated to Moab, the land of the gentiles. He decided to relocated due to the drought, although it was not very severe, it only meant that they would not have the abundance they were accustomed to. Elimelech was not prepared to lower his living standards and rather decided to take his wife and children to another country.
The history as we knows it, does not tell us that Elimelech asked God's permission to relocate. We read in verse 3 that Elimelich died, and his wife and children stayed behind. Not long after that the two sons were old enough to get married and they also made a big mistake. They married women from the gentile country. It is clear that the Israelites practises did not mean much to them. They also acted against God's will, and Elimelech and his two sons died within 10 years of living in Moab. Elimelech was the head of his house, but he did not consult God in his decisions, but rather concentrated on his own feelings.
Where is Naomi in all this?
Naomi went with her husband. She might not have been to happy about all the decisions her husband made, but none the less she stood with him. This meant that she was obedient to the Lord. She had to leave all her family and friends behind to follow her husband. This shows me that our husbands may not always make the right decisions, and that may not always be the best for us or our children, but to be obedient to the Lord, we have to be obedient to our husbands and listen to what they say, and go with them. Like Naomi her husbands decisions did not meant any good for her, but she held fast to the Lord, and that is what we must do also, because that is what the Lord expects of us.
Naomi is alone in this foreign country, with only her 2 daughters-in-law, of whom one still served her foreign gods and the other were converted to the Lord of Israel. Naomi stayed in this country for 10 years when Naomi got word that he drought has been broken. She still had contact with her family and friends through all this time. During the time Naomi lived it was not easy for a woman to take care of herself and her family. She needed the guidance and provision of a man, whether it be her father, husband, or sons. Naomi decided to go back to her country and her people. Her two daughters-in-law decided to go with her, but Naomi realised that she would not be able to provide new husbands for them, and thus she encouraged them to turn around and go back to their own people. Orpha was very heart broken but decided to turn around, but Ruth stood with her, Ruth 1:16
Naomi was a much loved woman with lots of friends. When she got back to Bethlehem-Judah she was the sensation of the town. Her family and friends were very excited that she was back. She went with her husband and 2 sons, young, full of life, but came back as a woman embittered because of everything that happened to her. She felt so strong about it that she changed her name from Naomi meaning elegant and pleasant to Mara meaning bitter. Her life became bitter.
But Naomi was back in the promised land of the Lord God. Now she was back where the blessings of the Lord were, she was back where the Laws of Moses was upheld. Some of those laws helped her, as the Lord intended:
From afar we can say she was Ruth's mother in law. This woman stayed in a foreign country, dew to the drought, but she returned to her own people when the drought has passed. The get to know Naomi better we have to take a look at what her circumstances were like, who were the people in her life and how it affected her and lastly what she has done and the decisions she made.
The first thing we read about is that Naomi lived in the time of the Judges, and that they experienced a severe drought has passed. We also read about her husband and children. We don't read much about them only in the first five versus of chapter 1. There we read about Elimelech - Naomi's husband and Mahlon and Ghilion their two sons.
The affect Elimelech had on Naomi
Elimelech was a type of God and Naomi represented the Israelites. The death of Elimelech and the widowhood of Naomi represented the circumstances of the nation. This means that the Israelites has turned their backs to God and started to worship foreign gods, it also shows that God was dead to them. The drought indicate Naomi's widowhood, because God did not provided for them anymore.
Elimelech has decided to relocate, but he did not stay within the nation's boundaries, he immigrated to Moab, the land of the gentiles. He decided to relocated due to the drought, although it was not very severe, it only meant that they would not have the abundance they were accustomed to. Elimelech was not prepared to lower his living standards and rather decided to take his wife and children to another country.
The history as we knows it, does not tell us that Elimelech asked God's permission to relocate. We read in verse 3 that Elimelich died, and his wife and children stayed behind. Not long after that the two sons were old enough to get married and they also made a big mistake. They married women from the gentile country. It is clear that the Israelites practises did not mean much to them. They also acted against God's will, and Elimelech and his two sons died within 10 years of living in Moab. Elimelech was the head of his house, but he did not consult God in his decisions, but rather concentrated on his own feelings.
Where is Naomi in all this?
Naomi went with her husband. She might not have been to happy about all the decisions her husband made, but none the less she stood with him. This meant that she was obedient to the Lord. She had to leave all her family and friends behind to follow her husband. This shows me that our husbands may not always make the right decisions, and that may not always be the best for us or our children, but to be obedient to the Lord, we have to be obedient to our husbands and listen to what they say, and go with them. Like Naomi her husbands decisions did not meant any good for her, but she held fast to the Lord, and that is what we must do also, because that is what the Lord expects of us.
Naomi is alone in this foreign country, with only her 2 daughters-in-law, of whom one still served her foreign gods and the other were converted to the Lord of Israel. Naomi stayed in this country for 10 years when Naomi got word that he drought has been broken. She still had contact with her family and friends through all this time. During the time Naomi lived it was not easy for a woman to take care of herself and her family. She needed the guidance and provision of a man, whether it be her father, husband, or sons. Naomi decided to go back to her country and her people. Her two daughters-in-law decided to go with her, but Naomi realised that she would not be able to provide new husbands for them, and thus she encouraged them to turn around and go back to their own people. Orpha was very heart broken but decided to turn around, but Ruth stood with her, Ruth 1:16
Naomi was a much loved woman with lots of friends. When she got back to Bethlehem-Judah she was the sensation of the town. Her family and friends were very excited that she was back. She went with her husband and 2 sons, young, full of life, but came back as a woman embittered because of everything that happened to her. She felt so strong about it that she changed her name from Naomi meaning elegant and pleasant to Mara meaning bitter. Her life became bitter.
But Naomi was back in the promised land of the Lord God. Now she was back where the blessings of the Lord were, she was back where the Laws of Moses was upheld. Some of those laws helped her, as the Lord intended:
- The law of the poor.. As the poor people were allowed to pickup the grain that fell from the farm workers hands. (Liv 29:9-19 and 23:22) Naomi send Ruth because she was still young and strong to go and fetch food for them. Ruth were blessed in abundance and she came back with a huge basked full of corn. What was Naomi's reaction to all this?m Ruth 2:19 She blessed the land owner that allowed Ruth to collect the corn and that protected her.
- The Law of the Redeemer.. When Naomi heard that the man that blessed Ruth so much were Boas, she remembered this law, because Boas were Elimelechs brother. Ruth 2:20 Naomi decided that if she could help Ruth to get a husband in the long run she would benefit from it herself. She told Ruth to go lie down at Boas's feet, and that was the way for a woman to tell ask a man to redeem her.
All this changed Naomi's circumstances. Her circumstances did not stay the same, no the Lord blessed her again, and returned her to the position she held before she left. The only sacrifice she had to make, was to stay true and obedient to the Lord.
- Naomi was obedient to the Lord because she stayed obedient to her husband.
- Through all Naomi never back slided, but always consulted the Lord in all her decisions.
- She started off taking both her daughters in law with her, but then decided to send them back, and only Orpha decided to go back.
- Ruth was part of Naomi's new start in life, and the way the Lord used to bless her. Ruth and Boas were married and that way there was a man at the head of the family again. The baby that was born to Ruth and Boas, was the blessing of the male descendant, he also was the grandfather of King David.
- Eff 5:22 says that woman should stay true to their own husbands. That is what the Lord wants us to do, even when they make a wrong choice, we have to bear the punishment with them. How can we help our husbands in making choices? 1 We must always pray for them in their decision making, and 2 we must pray for them when they made wrong choices so that they can correct them.
- Naomi did not give up, she kept her head high and although she would have been ashamed in going back to her people she did it with pride. We sometimes think other people don't know when we are going through a difficult time, but that is not true. Have you ever experienced a friend giving you a hug when you need it and you did not even tell her about your troubles? That is because other people see more than what we think.
- Naomi did not decide that because life has given her a few blows that she would start to fight with everybody around her. She stayed kind and gentle to other people.
- Naomi used the circumstances and means available to her, like the laws of Moses. She only needed to be where the Lord wanted her.
- When thins were still difficult in her life Naomi blessed others around her. When last did you bless those around you, and thank the Lord for all the blessings bestowed on you?
Lastly we must remember that as we are willing to help others, so we should let them help us. We will always need people just like Naomi did. That's why we have 'kitchen teas' and 'stork teas' we as women need to celebrate life together.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sippora
Ex 2:21, 4:18-26 18:2-6
Who was Sippora?
She was the wife of a very well known and influential man, Moses. To understand who she was and what happened in her life, we are going to take a look at people around her and the decisions she made.
Moses and a bit of their history
Moses was born to a Jewish couple and because of the danger of him being killed as a baby, his mother made a plan to save his life. He was put in a woven basked and put on the Nile where his mother new the Pharaoh's daughter would find him. Moses grew up as partly Jew and partly Egyptian. When he was a man of about 40 he killed an Egyptian to help a Jew, and for that he had to leave Egypt and flee for his life.
Moses flew to Midian where he stopped to rest at a well. At this well all the shepherds of the vicinity brought their flocks to drink water. There the young men harassed the seven sisters and would not let them water their flocks. Moses still had the mind set of an Egyptian prince, and stepped forward to help the young ladies. The sisters were the daughters of a Midian Priest Jethro. It is interesting to note that even though they were the daughters of the Median Priest they still had their chores to do. These young ladies did not take Moses home because he helped them. No, they left him there at the well and went home. Their father inquired about their short trip and they told him about Moses. It was only when Jethro send for Moses that he came to their house.
More about Sippora
Sippora was the eldest and most beautiful of the sisters. She and Moses became husband and wife, after some time has lapsed, as we read that Moses first started to keep Jethro's sheep. Moses was about 80 when the Lord send him back to Egypt to fetch the Isrealites, and we read that he and Sippora had 2 young sons. Which means that it could have been years before they maried. Their 2 sons were, Gershom the eldest "for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land." Ex 2:22 and Eliezer meaning "God of my father, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Ex 18:4
We read in Ex 4 that the Lord send Moses back to fetch the Isrealites out of Egypt. In verses 18-26 we read a very interesting piece. Sippora and their sons went with Moses, as that is the way it is supposed to be. A man and woman will leave their pearents and become one, and as the husband is the head of the family, wherever he goes, his wife should follow. Scripture tells us that a wife should submit to her husband, and not the other way around. As Moses and Sippora were getting settled for the night at an Inn with their 2 sons, the Lord paid them a visit. He came to kill 'him', we suppose this him was Moses as he was the one to do the Lords work, and he was the head of the family. This was not a spiritual visit as we read that when the Lord spoke to Moses, Sippora new what was going on. She also knew that the reason why the Lord wanted to kill 'him' was because their son has not been circumcized.
How could she have known that, accept that she might have been the reason for their son not being circumcized? Moses knew that he had to circumcize his son, because he grew up with his Jewish pearents until he was old enough to go to the Egyptian palace to stay with his adoptive mother. Sippora proposedly has stopped him, as she did not believe the way of the Jews, and she did not approve of this 'vulgar' act of circumcizing their son. We read further that she took a sharp stone and circumcized their son. This shows us a couple of things.
First it prooves that their son was still very young as Sippora did the circumcition.
Second if shows us that a woman was allowed to do the circumcition, which means that a woman had value, to do such a spiritual thing.
Thirdly it also shows us that when Sippora made a wrong choice, she was to one to correct it.
Forthly her discust in the circumcision was shown in her words to Moses after wards in verse 26 "A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision".
This showed me another thing. You as a woman have power over your husband. When the two of you are one as the Lord wanted you to be, you will listen to each other and work together. Sippora might have only hinted that she did not approve of this circumcision or she might have taken a stronger stand, whatever her action might have been, Moses listened to her and honoured how she felt. This was not right, as he was supposed to take the Lords side in this and not that of his wife.
So lady... What are you doing with the influence you have over your husband? Are you helping him to be the man God wants him to be, or are you trying to make him the person you want him to be? You must be very careful as we read here that what Sippora did could have cost her husband his life.
Moses had to be in wright standing with the Lord to do His work. He had to be spotless and blameless in everything. Moses was send back to Egypt to save the lives of about thousands of people. The blood shed with the circumcision saved Moses's live but more than that, in the long run it saved all the Isrealites. This let me think of the blood of Jesus, which saved so many lives. What would have happened if Jesus did not died on the cross?
After this incident Moses decided to send Sippora and their sons back to her father Jethro as it would be much saver for them to wait there. Moses suddenly realised that to take his family with him to Egypt could be very dangerous, because he does not really know how the Egyptians are going to react towards him, neither did he know how the Isrealites would react. Further he maried a Midianite woman and not a Jew which could complicate things further with the Isrealites.
In Ex 18:2-6 we read that Jethro braught Sippora and their sons back to Moses. This shows us that Moses did not diverce Sippora. They were still maried. In our modern life it could be seen as though Moses went on a business trip. Sippora was faithfull to her husband and came back when the time was right for it, on the other hand Moses was also still faithful to his wife.
I saw something here that I want to show you. We all know the differences between a man and a woman. A woman is emotionally connected to everything in her life. She can think of the children, their extra mural activities, supper, work and the house almost simultaniously, where a man only concentrate on one thing at a time. When my husband is busy working and I wnat to tell him something he won't even hear me because he is concentrating on his work. I have to make certain that he hears me.
Here we see that Sippora came back to her husband, and he started talking to her father. When I was sepparated from my husband even for 1 day, I want to be with him and talk to him and tell him what I have done and what I experienced and I want him to tell me everything, but here we see that Sippora had to wait. It was as though Moses were married to his work and only wanted to talk about his work. He invited Jethro to come and sit with him and Moses told him all about the excodus from Egypt. Moses was so busy with his work in taking care of the Isrealites the next day, that Jethro told Moses to get help. He explained to Moses that he can't do everything and that he had to appoint men to help him. This would also result in Moses having more time for his own family.
In conclusion
We learnt through Sippora firstly, that she didn't bring Moses to her house right after meeting him, as it was not proper in that time. How do we behave? Are we always behaving like a lady should?
Second we learnt that we as women have power over what happens to our families. Our influence could be either good or bad, we need to make the right choice. The saying is so true "Behind a man, is a woman", it could also be swiched around to say that "In front of every woman is a man".
Third we as the woman of our family has the responsibility to keep our families together. When your husband has to leave on a business trip stay true to him, through your actions you will give him more reaseon to be faithful to you. It will also give him the strength to say no when the time comes.
Spend time with your family. Spend time with your husband, be his friend. Accept it when he has to work a lot, he is doing it for you and your children, but discuss it with him so that he know and realize that you also need him to spend time with you.
Look at Sippora if was not always easy for her, but she shows us that we can make a success of our mariage.
Remember always pray for your husband, and your children. When we stay on our knees before the Lord, He will look after us and help us when we need Him the most.
Amen
She was the wife of a very well known and influential man, Moses. To understand who she was and what happened in her life, we are going to take a look at people around her and the decisions she made.
Moses and a bit of their history
Moses was born to a Jewish couple and because of the danger of him being killed as a baby, his mother made a plan to save his life. He was put in a woven basked and put on the Nile where his mother new the Pharaoh's daughter would find him. Moses grew up as partly Jew and partly Egyptian. When he was a man of about 40 he killed an Egyptian to help a Jew, and for that he had to leave Egypt and flee for his life.
Moses flew to Midian where he stopped to rest at a well. At this well all the shepherds of the vicinity brought their flocks to drink water. There the young men harassed the seven sisters and would not let them water their flocks. Moses still had the mind set of an Egyptian prince, and stepped forward to help the young ladies. The sisters were the daughters of a Midian Priest Jethro. It is interesting to note that even though they were the daughters of the Median Priest they still had their chores to do. These young ladies did not take Moses home because he helped them. No, they left him there at the well and went home. Their father inquired about their short trip and they told him about Moses. It was only when Jethro send for Moses that he came to their house.
More about Sippora
Sippora was the eldest and most beautiful of the sisters. She and Moses became husband and wife, after some time has lapsed, as we read that Moses first started to keep Jethro's sheep. Moses was about 80 when the Lord send him back to Egypt to fetch the Isrealites, and we read that he and Sippora had 2 young sons. Which means that it could have been years before they maried. Their 2 sons were, Gershom the eldest "for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land." Ex 2:22 and Eliezer meaning "God of my father, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Ex 18:4
We read in Ex 4 that the Lord send Moses back to fetch the Isrealites out of Egypt. In verses 18-26 we read a very interesting piece. Sippora and their sons went with Moses, as that is the way it is supposed to be. A man and woman will leave their pearents and become one, and as the husband is the head of the family, wherever he goes, his wife should follow. Scripture tells us that a wife should submit to her husband, and not the other way around. As Moses and Sippora were getting settled for the night at an Inn with their 2 sons, the Lord paid them a visit. He came to kill 'him', we suppose this him was Moses as he was the one to do the Lords work, and he was the head of the family. This was not a spiritual visit as we read that when the Lord spoke to Moses, Sippora new what was going on. She also knew that the reason why the Lord wanted to kill 'him' was because their son has not been circumcized.
How could she have known that, accept that she might have been the reason for their son not being circumcized? Moses knew that he had to circumcize his son, because he grew up with his Jewish pearents until he was old enough to go to the Egyptian palace to stay with his adoptive mother. Sippora proposedly has stopped him, as she did not believe the way of the Jews, and she did not approve of this 'vulgar' act of circumcizing their son. We read further that she took a sharp stone and circumcized their son. This shows us a couple of things.
First it prooves that their son was still very young as Sippora did the circumcition.
Second if shows us that a woman was allowed to do the circumcition, which means that a woman had value, to do such a spiritual thing.
Thirdly it also shows us that when Sippora made a wrong choice, she was to one to correct it.
Forthly her discust in the circumcision was shown in her words to Moses after wards in verse 26 "A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision".
This showed me another thing. You as a woman have power over your husband. When the two of you are one as the Lord wanted you to be, you will listen to each other and work together. Sippora might have only hinted that she did not approve of this circumcision or she might have taken a stronger stand, whatever her action might have been, Moses listened to her and honoured how she felt. This was not right, as he was supposed to take the Lords side in this and not that of his wife.
So lady... What are you doing with the influence you have over your husband? Are you helping him to be the man God wants him to be, or are you trying to make him the person you want him to be? You must be very careful as we read here that what Sippora did could have cost her husband his life.
Moses had to be in wright standing with the Lord to do His work. He had to be spotless and blameless in everything. Moses was send back to Egypt to save the lives of about thousands of people. The blood shed with the circumcision saved Moses's live but more than that, in the long run it saved all the Isrealites. This let me think of the blood of Jesus, which saved so many lives. What would have happened if Jesus did not died on the cross?
After this incident Moses decided to send Sippora and their sons back to her father Jethro as it would be much saver for them to wait there. Moses suddenly realised that to take his family with him to Egypt could be very dangerous, because he does not really know how the Egyptians are going to react towards him, neither did he know how the Isrealites would react. Further he maried a Midianite woman and not a Jew which could complicate things further with the Isrealites.
In Ex 18:2-6 we read that Jethro braught Sippora and their sons back to Moses. This shows us that Moses did not diverce Sippora. They were still maried. In our modern life it could be seen as though Moses went on a business trip. Sippora was faithfull to her husband and came back when the time was right for it, on the other hand Moses was also still faithful to his wife.
I saw something here that I want to show you. We all know the differences between a man and a woman. A woman is emotionally connected to everything in her life. She can think of the children, their extra mural activities, supper, work and the house almost simultaniously, where a man only concentrate on one thing at a time. When my husband is busy working and I wnat to tell him something he won't even hear me because he is concentrating on his work. I have to make certain that he hears me.
Here we see that Sippora came back to her husband, and he started talking to her father. When I was sepparated from my husband even for 1 day, I want to be with him and talk to him and tell him what I have done and what I experienced and I want him to tell me everything, but here we see that Sippora had to wait. It was as though Moses were married to his work and only wanted to talk about his work. He invited Jethro to come and sit with him and Moses told him all about the excodus from Egypt. Moses was so busy with his work in taking care of the Isrealites the next day, that Jethro told Moses to get help. He explained to Moses that he can't do everything and that he had to appoint men to help him. This would also result in Moses having more time for his own family.
In conclusion
We learnt through Sippora firstly, that she didn't bring Moses to her house right after meeting him, as it was not proper in that time. How do we behave? Are we always behaving like a lady should?
Second we learnt that we as women have power over what happens to our families. Our influence could be either good or bad, we need to make the right choice. The saying is so true "Behind a man, is a woman", it could also be swiched around to say that "In front of every woman is a man".
Third we as the woman of our family has the responsibility to keep our families together. When your husband has to leave on a business trip stay true to him, through your actions you will give him more reaseon to be faithful to you. It will also give him the strength to say no when the time comes.
Spend time with your family. Spend time with your husband, be his friend. Accept it when he has to work a lot, he is doing it for you and your children, but discuss it with him so that he know and realize that you also need him to spend time with you.
Look at Sippora if was not always easy for her, but she shows us that we can make a success of our mariage.
Remember always pray for your husband, and your children. When we stay on our knees before the Lord, He will look after us and help us when we need Him the most.
Amen
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Why Lydia's for Jesus
Lets read Acts 16:6-15
GOD IS IN CHARGE
When God is in charge there are some things what will happen?
YOUR ROUTE MIGHT CHANGE
When God has a plan for you it might very well touch or involve other people. Here we read that Paul and Timothy were on their mission trip, but that the Spirit of God prevented, them to continue on their planned route. God changed their route to suit His purposes because He planned to touch several people's lives.
I often wondered how this worked. Then I realized that so many times I planed to do something but just can't see to get to it. Or you plan to say something to somebody and when you see that person those words are stuck, you just can't seem to get it out....
That was when the Lord prevented you from doing or saying what you wanted to.
Paul was on his way to preach the Gospel in Asia. But the Holy Spirit prevented them to go there, by calling them in a dream to Macedonia. It might have been that the people, who needed that message from God, were not there or that the timing was not right. Maybe those people were not ready for the Word from God. We must always remember that God is a gentleman and He will never put you in a situation that you cannot handle or that you are not ready for.
It's like a farmer, getting ready to sow the seasons seeds. He does not run into the field and start sowing left right and center. No he will make sure the soil has been treated and that the levels of moist is exactly what it should be. Then he also look at the season, to make sure that he sow the right season's seeds. God uses the same principles when dealing with people.
During that time there was a lady, of the town called Thyatira in the province of Lydia in Asia, that either moved to Macedonia or went there on a business trip. She was a manufacturer and seller of purple (materials and dyes).
OBEDIENCE BRINGS YOU IN GODS PLAN
God managed it that Paul and his followers went to Macedonia, Paul had a dream where a man called him to Macedonia (v 9-10). This made Paul very anxious to get to the place where God wanted him to be. When God calls us to do a certain thing for Him, how exited or anxious are we to do it?
The initial calling for my ministry came to me about 8 years ago. I never knew how to get it started, I always thought that life will flow in that direction. Sometimes that might be the case, but not in my situation. This might have been because I was not completely ready for it. I always thought that I would be invited to do what I have to do, I had the dream and the unction to spread the Gospel amongst women, but no one ever invited me.
In Philippe, Paul and his followers, had to spend a few days waiting on direction from God. Acts 16:12 "From there we went inland to Philippe, a city of the first district of Macedonia; it is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there". Whenever God called you to do something it is not necessarily that you know how, where and when to do what you were called to do.
On the Sabbath day Paul went to the place outside the town where the women gathered to pray Verse 13 "On the Sabbath we went out of the city to the riverside, where we thought there would be a place where Jews gathered for prayer. We sat down and talked to the women who gathered there." There were only a few Jewish women, we know this because Philippe were a Roman Military city, and the Romans were not Jews. The women gathered on their own, there we no men at these meetings, because normally the Jewish men gathered at the gates of the City. (see Ruth 4:1-2)
GOD'S APPOINTMENT WITH YOU
Lydia was in the town Philippe as we have seen earlier on, and she was ready for the good news about Jesus death and resurrection. As Paul explained the Gospel to them, she got converted and gave her heart to Jesus. In our words, she was saved.
Sometimes God takes us out of our normal environment, we sometimes have to meet with Jesus when we are alone. Where we can concentrate our attention on Him only. This is the place where you can lay down you burdens and hand it over to God. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and when He has an appointment with you, He'll make sure that the stage is set for it.
We had a conference that I didn't even knew about, but God planned to meet with me at that conference. A friend of mine gave me a ticket for this conference, of another lady that couldn't go anymore. During that conference the Lord told me to pick myself up, and to start my Ministry that He has given me. The time for waiting was over, no one was going to ask me to get it started. I had to do the work and He would give me the knowledge in what I had to do.
The waiting was over, I had to start do what God laid on my heart to do.
BE A SPECIALIST IN WHAT YOU DO
Lydia was a manufacturer of the purple colour, with which they died materials. This was the type of work the women from Lydia did. They produced the purple colorant from a special shellfish, that was only available in Springtime. They had to grind the shell into a powder and then extract the blood from a specific vain in the shellfishes neck. This veins' blood had a black colour. The intensity of the purple that was produced depended on the amount of blood that was mixed with the powder.
It was a difficult process, and took a lot of time. This resulted in long working hours for the women. They still had their chores to do in and around their homes (see Prov 31). They did not have the technology that we have today, which means to me that they had to work very hard at everything they did.
A FAMILY WOMAN
When you read further you see that Lydia was probably a married woman with a family. In verse 15 we see "After she and the people of her house had been baptized," She must have been very exited about what had happened to her, that she had to tell everybody around her. She did it in such a convincing manner that her household also got converted.
Every one of us has that influence over other people. As a wife and mother, we normally know where and when there is need in our home. The family doesn't have to tell you when something is the matter. During these times we have the opportunity to explain the Word of God to them, but very often they are not receptive to God's word. In times like this we have to go to God ourselves. We can pray about the situation and ask God to help this person in their time of need. You might ask how and when to pray? Why not when you do their washing or tidy their rooms. When you sensed that someone needs that special help that you can't give them, you can start to pray about it, and your Father that sees all things will know how to help in every situation.
IN CONCLUSION
Every woman is a Lydia, and our Mission field is there, where we are, whether it be you work, house, church, amongst your circle of friends...
You can gather a group of women, that can come together at certain times, to pray together.
Witnessing is very easy, you just have to tell people around you, what the Lord has done for you. It is not always possible to talk to people, then you can live your life in such a way that they will see Jesus in you. In other word, proclaim the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
Don't ever give up. Lydia invited Paul and his companions to come to her house, and she just didn't take not for an answer, likewise we can persist and continue praying without getting tired of it.
Always be honest and open. It that way people will trust you, and start talking to you about their problems. Remember when someone trust you with their hurt and secrets that you must be responsible and trustworthy about it, you cannot discuss it with anybody else.
LETS PRAY
GOD IS IN CHARGE
When God is in charge there are some things what will happen?
YOUR ROUTE MIGHT CHANGE
When God has a plan for you it might very well touch or involve other people. Here we read that Paul and Timothy were on their mission trip, but that the Spirit of God prevented, them to continue on their planned route. God changed their route to suit His purposes because He planned to touch several people's lives.
I often wondered how this worked. Then I realized that so many times I planed to do something but just can't see to get to it. Or you plan to say something to somebody and when you see that person those words are stuck, you just can't seem to get it out....
That was when the Lord prevented you from doing or saying what you wanted to.
Paul was on his way to preach the Gospel in Asia. But the Holy Spirit prevented them to go there, by calling them in a dream to Macedonia. It might have been that the people, who needed that message from God, were not there or that the timing was not right. Maybe those people were not ready for the Word from God. We must always remember that God is a gentleman and He will never put you in a situation that you cannot handle or that you are not ready for.
It's like a farmer, getting ready to sow the seasons seeds. He does not run into the field and start sowing left right and center. No he will make sure the soil has been treated and that the levels of moist is exactly what it should be. Then he also look at the season, to make sure that he sow the right season's seeds. God uses the same principles when dealing with people.
During that time there was a lady, of the town called Thyatira in the province of Lydia in Asia, that either moved to Macedonia or went there on a business trip. She was a manufacturer and seller of purple (materials and dyes).
OBEDIENCE BRINGS YOU IN GODS PLAN
God managed it that Paul and his followers went to Macedonia, Paul had a dream where a man called him to Macedonia (v 9-10). This made Paul very anxious to get to the place where God wanted him to be. When God calls us to do a certain thing for Him, how exited or anxious are we to do it?
The initial calling for my ministry came to me about 8 years ago. I never knew how to get it started, I always thought that life will flow in that direction. Sometimes that might be the case, but not in my situation. This might have been because I was not completely ready for it. I always thought that I would be invited to do what I have to do, I had the dream and the unction to spread the Gospel amongst women, but no one ever invited me.
In Philippe, Paul and his followers, had to spend a few days waiting on direction from God. Acts 16:12 "From there we went inland to Philippe, a city of the first district of Macedonia; it is also a Roman colony. We spent several days there". Whenever God called you to do something it is not necessarily that you know how, where and when to do what you were called to do.
On the Sabbath day Paul went to the place outside the town where the women gathered to pray Verse 13 "On the Sabbath we went out of the city to the riverside, where we thought there would be a place where Jews gathered for prayer. We sat down and talked to the women who gathered there." There were only a few Jewish women, we know this because Philippe were a Roman Military city, and the Romans were not Jews. The women gathered on their own, there we no men at these meetings, because normally the Jewish men gathered at the gates of the City. (see Ruth 4:1-2)
GOD'S APPOINTMENT WITH YOU
Lydia was in the town Philippe as we have seen earlier on, and she was ready for the good news about Jesus death and resurrection. As Paul explained the Gospel to them, she got converted and gave her heart to Jesus. In our words, she was saved.
Sometimes God takes us out of our normal environment, we sometimes have to meet with Jesus when we are alone. Where we can concentrate our attention on Him only. This is the place where you can lay down you burdens and hand it over to God. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and when He has an appointment with you, He'll make sure that the stage is set for it.
We had a conference that I didn't even knew about, but God planned to meet with me at that conference. A friend of mine gave me a ticket for this conference, of another lady that couldn't go anymore. During that conference the Lord told me to pick myself up, and to start my Ministry that He has given me. The time for waiting was over, no one was going to ask me to get it started. I had to do the work and He would give me the knowledge in what I had to do.
The waiting was over, I had to start do what God laid on my heart to do.
BE A SPECIALIST IN WHAT YOU DO
Lydia was a manufacturer of the purple colour, with which they died materials. This was the type of work the women from Lydia did. They produced the purple colorant from a special shellfish, that was only available in Springtime. They had to grind the shell into a powder and then extract the blood from a specific vain in the shellfishes neck. This veins' blood had a black colour. The intensity of the purple that was produced depended on the amount of blood that was mixed with the powder.
It was a difficult process, and took a lot of time. This resulted in long working hours for the women. They still had their chores to do in and around their homes (see Prov 31). They did not have the technology that we have today, which means to me that they had to work very hard at everything they did.
A FAMILY WOMAN
When you read further you see that Lydia was probably a married woman with a family. In verse 15 we see "After she and the people of her house had been baptized," She must have been very exited about what had happened to her, that she had to tell everybody around her. She did it in such a convincing manner that her household also got converted.
Every one of us has that influence over other people. As a wife and mother, we normally know where and when there is need in our home. The family doesn't have to tell you when something is the matter. During these times we have the opportunity to explain the Word of God to them, but very often they are not receptive to God's word. In times like this we have to go to God ourselves. We can pray about the situation and ask God to help this person in their time of need. You might ask how and when to pray? Why not when you do their washing or tidy their rooms. When you sensed that someone needs that special help that you can't give them, you can start to pray about it, and your Father that sees all things will know how to help in every situation.
IN CONCLUSION
Every woman is a Lydia, and our Mission field is there, where we are, whether it be you work, house, church, amongst your circle of friends...
You can gather a group of women, that can come together at certain times, to pray together.
Witnessing is very easy, you just have to tell people around you, what the Lord has done for you. It is not always possible to talk to people, then you can live your life in such a way that they will see Jesus in you. In other word, proclaim the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words.
Don't ever give up. Lydia invited Paul and his companions to come to her house, and she just didn't take not for an answer, likewise we can persist and continue praying without getting tired of it.
Always be honest and open. It that way people will trust you, and start talking to you about their problems. Remember when someone trust you with their hurt and secrets that you must be responsible and trustworthy about it, you cannot discuss it with anybody else.
LETS PRAY
Help me Lord to be available when You want to use me, and please forgive me for those times when You did call me and I didn't listen.
Thank you for other chances Lord.
I pray that in Jesus' Name.
AMEN
Scriptures were taken out of the Good New Bible
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