Category: Women of the Bible
HELLO DEBORAH of Genesis
Am I leading a remarkable life? To answer that I guess first I would need to define what I believe a remarkable life would look like.
Kind
Caring
Generous
Humble
Grateful
Patient
Honest
Selfless
The list can go own…
If I am completely honest with myself and you, I’d have to say that I have a long way to go. The last couple of weeks I’ve been working on memorizing the book of James for United Camp 2015 (subscribe to the newsletter to get more on camp). I got up to chapter 3 but in chapter 2 I came across a verse that has been pressing on my heart like crazy. Jame 2:13 Kind mercy wins over harsh judgement every time. (MSG) It’s as if God were literally writing this verse on my heart. Revealing to me the immense need for kindness in the world around me. I think maybe this verse has been on repeat because Jesus is doing a work in me. Have you ever noticed how much it hurts when God grabs the hedge cutters and starts pruning you? Well, in order to live a remarkable life, one that is remembered decades and centuries after you are gone, one that leaves a mark and creates a legacy; we must be pruned. Oh my sweet friends, let’s allow God to do a great work in us that like Deborah we made live lives worth mourning.
I’m grateful for verse 8 in which we get to meet Deborah if only for 3 sentences. She reminds me that it’s possible to become the best version of me. She reminds me that I CAN impact the world around me. She reminds me that I can break the generational curses in my family and boldly say, “IT ENDS WITH ME.” Whatever that IT may be. Deborah also reminds me that it’s up to me. How I am remembered and mourned is up to me.
My Prayer For You:
Dear Jesus, I pray for every reader who happened upon this post. I pray for every faithful reader who visits this blog weekly. I ask you to please open their eyes to your work in their lives. I pray that they may pray bold prayers. I ask you to give them courage in their prayers. I pray that you may give them strength and assurance as you move in and through them. Please continue working in them that they may continue to grow and become better versions of themselves. Please give us all spirits of kindness. Help us exercise kindness in our daily lives with loved ones and strangers. I ask you that as we live out your kindness you may reveal yourself to the world around us and increase your kingdom. Thank you for the kindness and mercy that you so graciously bestow upon us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Memory Verse: James 2:12-13 MSG
James 2:12-13 Talk and act like a person expecting to be judged by the Rule that sets us free. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.
I am sure your definition may be different from mine. I would love to know your characteristics for a remarkable life… please leave them in the comments below. Also remember to subscribe to the newsletter, it’s emailed every 1st and 15th of the month!
HELLO DINAH
This post is about his only daughter. Dinah. Jacob had twelve sons and one daughter.
Dinah is first mentioned in Genesis 30:21 where we learn that she is the daughter of Leah. Her name doesn’t show up again until chapter 34 where her story unfolds.
Genesis 34
As the only girl of the family I imagine she was very protected. For that reason I find it odd that in verse 1 it says that Dinah, “went out to visit the women of the land.” No where in this verse does it say that she was accompanied. Was she traveling alone? She must have been alone because in verse 2 we see that Shechem, the son of the ruler of that area, “saw her, took her and violated her.”
Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, was raped.
Side note: if you are not a believer or if you are prone to think that God’s word is just a bunch of old stories that have nothing to do with us today…. reread that sentence above. God’s word from the first to last book is completely relevant to us today.
According to a report put out by the White House in 2014, it’s estimated that “1 in 5 women are raped in their lifetime.” This doesn’t include the number of victims that are molested or sexually assaulted in other ways.
Now you may be thinking… why are you going there? Well, I seriously think that we need to talk about the subject. Based on that statistic most of you reading this will know someone who has been or God forbid will be raped, or you yourself have been assaulted. I myself know women, (more than one) who have been sexually assaulted in one way or another. It’s a real issue.
I want to spread awareness but I also want to speak to those who have been victimized.
- It was not your fault! Sexual abuse in any form is never okay!
- Don’t hide. As difficult as it may be to stand up and speak about what has happened in our pasts, it’s necessary. I’m learning that God cannot heal what is in the dark. We must shed light on our hurts, whatever those hurt are.
- You are not alone. I’m also learning that I am not the only person who has experienced some of what I’ve experience so I promise you, you are not the only one who has experienced what you’ve experienced.
- There is hope. Romans 5:5 “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
Going back to Dinah. I am positive that she was devastated in all ways possible. She was most likely emotionally distraught and mentally stressed. She probably blamed herself. I’ve been told that victims tend to feel shame and guilt after been abused. Dinah probably felt those emotions too.
I’m far from an expert on this topic. But after reading Dinah’s story I felt it on my heart to remind someone today….
Your story is not in vain.
When we shed light on our past and hurts allowing God to heal and bind us up we win.
When we seek Christ in the midst of pain and crisis we find healing.
When we surrender our guilt and shame at the foot of the cross we find deliverance.
When we reject the devil’s lies and accepts Jesus’ truths we find purpose.
I’m believing for you. There is hope. Let’s, all of us, take our pains and hurts and place them in God’s hands like paint brushes. Let’s sit back and watch as He paints a beautiful redemption masterpiece out of our stories.
My Prayer For You:
Lord Jesus, I don’t know what their stories are but you do. I don’t know what they have experienced in their lives, what hurts they carry, what shame or guilt they battle daily, but you do. Father I don’t know what their struggle is but thankfully you do! I ask you to please lighten their load. Please heal their wounds. Please give them the courage to seek you and professional help so that they can finally find the peace they’ve been desperate for. I thank you so much for the courage to speak on a topic that is so rough. I pray that someone may find hope in the words that I write. I pray that you may use this blog to encourage and inspire. Please let every reader know that you love them and that they are not alone. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Memory Verse: Psalm 34:17
Psalm 34:17 The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
If you or someone you know has experienced any type of sexual abuse seek help.
You can check out RAINN: Rape Abuse Incest National Network or call them at 1-800-656-HOPE(4673)
Thank you so much for stopping by. Remember to share your thoughts in the comments below. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive updates and goodies.
HELLO ZILPAH & BILHAH
The problem was that Leah and Rachel were married to the same man, Jacob. To make things more interesting Jacob was married to Leah through deceit. Who he truly loved was Rachel. The sisters feuded over their husband’s love and attention. So you guessed it. Leah and Rachel brought their servant girls into the mix. Up to this point Rachel was barren. Not having birthed any children put her in what she thought was a huge disadvantage to her sister. Leah had already given Jacob four children. We learn in Genesis 30:1 that Rachel became jealous of her sister and took out her frustration on Jacob. As a result Rachel resorted to old manipulative schemes seen earlier in Genesis. In order to gain mommy points and get even with Leah, Rachel pulled a page out of Sarai’s playbook. She handed Bilhah over to Jacob to conceive. Yup. Bilhah ended up giving birth to two boys. Leah who already had 4 boys of her own reacted to Rachel’s schemes by giving Zilpah over to Jacob as well. She wanted to keep the upper hand. Zilpah also gave Jacob two sons.
These manipulations just pulled more people into the fire and didn’t resolve anything. Rachel and Leah continued to feud.
Zilpah and Bilhah were now all the way caught up in the middle.
Unfortunately for them, they were slaves and didn’t have much of a say.
You and I, on the other hand, have been made free in Jesus. We do not need to be all the way caught up in anyone’s feuding rivalry.
My one and only point. If you feel yourself being drawn into the middle of someone else’s brawl.
SET A BOUNDARY! Or multiple boundaries.
There is a huge difference between being supportive of a friend in need and being manipulated as a pawn in their war. I’ve experienced it before and you probably have too.
A friend has been offended by another friend and now one or both want you to choose a side. Or a couple you are close to breaks up and again you are being made to choose a side.
You know whose side you choose? JESUS’ period!
Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in someone else’s drama. Definitely pray for all parties involved and if asked respond with wisdom aka scripture!
My Prayer For You:
Heavenly Father, I pray for wisdom. I ask you to please bless us with discernment. Lord teach us to listen to you that we may be quiet when you prompt us to be quiet. That we may speak only when your spirit leads us to speak. Lord I pray for our friends and family. I pray that you may keep us all in peace that there may not be any animosity or fighting between us. I ask Father that if differences arise you may help us to make the Jesus choice! Help us to cover our loved ones in prayer that their wars and battles may be resolved by you. Thank you for your word. Thank you for the examples we see in your word of what to do or not do. I ask you to help us create and maintain healthy boundaries in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Memory Verse: Prov 10:19
Prov 10:19 Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
Have you ever been asked to pick a side? How did you handle it?
Comment below and tell us all about it!
Don’t forget to subscribe for the exclusive SuperStarNat.com Newsletter. Next issue will be published on August 1st. You don’t want to miss the exclusive goodies for subscribers only!!
If you received the first issue on July 15th comment below and let me know what you thought about it. What would you like to see in the next issue?
If you enjoyed today’s post click like. If you know someone who you think can get something from it share it!
Love you guys so much for joining me on this Women of the Bible journey! I pray supernatural blessings upon you and your loved one!
Nat
HELLO LEAH
I’m excited to continue taking a look at Jacob’s wives. Last week we peeked into Rachel’s story (read it here) This week I want to focus on Leah and her experience. If you haven’t already subscribed to the mailing list go ahead and do that now. Starting on July 15th I will be sending out bi-monthly update emails with news, personal updates and extra freebies you can only see in the newsletter! You won’t want to miss it!
You can subscribe by entering your email in the space on the right >>>>
Afterwards you will receive an email from me! You’ll just need to confirm your subscription.
Also don’t forget to follow me on Periscope. I am absolutely loving this live streaming app… we can actually have a conversation! Just download Periscope, search Superstarnat, and follow me!
In Hello Rachel we learn that Jacob has fallen in love with Rachel and that her father tricks him into marrying her sister Leah.
Poor Leah! What stress must have been upon her shoulders. To be the older sister and unmarried meant so much. The fact that she was unmarried meant that she would be a burden to her family. It also meant that she was in the way of Rachel’s freedom to marry. In verse 26 Laban excuses his behavior to Jacob by saying “It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,”. I am sure this hurt Leah. She must have resented her father for forcing a man who didn’t love her to marry her. She must have resented the other family members who probably felt pity towards her and weren’t discrete about it. She must have been jealous of Rachel who was wanted and loved. How painful to feel unwanted. To feel rejected. Have you ever felt rejected? It is such a lonely and painful emotion. In my experience rejection comes along with a whole parade of friends. Rejection has made me feel worthless, not enough, unvaluable, small. Rejection can give way to jealousy and bitterness. In my opinion it can be severely damaging if we allow it to be. Unfortunately, it is one of those negative emotions that everyone will encounter at some point in their lives, for one reason or another.
I’m sure Leah was experiencing all of these emotions. Not to mention the fact that she probably felt ugly and compared herself to her sister. Verse 17 reveals that Leah was not as attractive as Rachel, “There was no sparkle in Leah’s eyes, but Rachel had a beautiful figure and a lovely face.”
How disappointing all of this must have been. Maybe Leah never dreamt of marrying for love, but I would imagine that she at least hoped to be chosen, selected. Now she had to endure a marriage to a man who openly loved her sister more than her. Verse 30 “So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah.”
Leah doesn’t deal well with the rejection. I will be sharing my thoughts on Leah’s and Rachel’s coping on July 15th! Make sure you subscribe and confirm your subscription in order to get the continuation of this portion of the story!
Like I said earlier, rejection is a part of life. The good news is that we can learn to turn to the Lord when we feel rejected. We can allow His love and word to heal and restore us. God has a lot to say about how much He loves us and how He does not reject us.
I have listed some bible verses that have greatly blessed me when I’ve felt lonely and rejected. [Emphasis added by me]
Know that Jesus was also rejected. This is a reminder that he indeed experienced every emotion we ever will.
- John 1:11 ESV / “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”
- Isaiah 49:15-16 NLT / “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! 16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.”
- Jeremiah 30:17 ESV / For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast:
- Isaiah 41:9 ESV / You whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”
- Philippians 4:19 ESV / And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
- Psalm 27:10 ESV / For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
- 1 Peter 2:4 ESV / As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,
- Psalm 34:18 ESV / The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Psalm 40:2 NLT / He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
My Prayer For You:
Heavenly Father, I pray a special prayer for every person who is experiencing loneliness and/or rejection at this time. I ask for every person who is dealing with the aftermath of being rejected. I pray that you may infuse their hearts with your word that is living and powerful. I ask you to please heal them as you declare in your scriptures you came to bind up our wounds. You came to save those who are crushed in spirit and you are near to the brokenhearted. I ask you to please give us the courage, strength and faith to turn to you for healing when we are hurting. I pray that we may not turn to the things of this world which will only leave us empty and hurting worse than before. I ask you to please bring peace and comfort and joy to those who are in need of it in this moment, Lord, that they may see your mighty hand moving in their lives. I thank you for your goodness. I thank you for your mercy. I thank you and praise you for always loving us and never rejecting us. We can always turn to you! In Jesus name, Amen!
Memory Verse: Psalm 34:18
Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
I would love to know what bible verses you use when you are feeling lonely or rejected. Go ahead and share your verse with me in the comments below!
HELLO RACHEL
- I have created a periscope account and am now doing live broadcasts almost every day. Click here to download the app. Then search Superstarnat and follow me.
- I have created a mailing list!!! If you enjoy my blog and want to stay up to date with the happenings of Superstarnat.com then type in your email address on the right hand side of your screen and confirm your subscription in the email you’ll receive about a minute after. My goal is to send out a newsletter update every 1st and 15th of the month. The first will be emailed out on July 15th so make sure to subscribe before then.
- I have also set up a new email account, Info@superstarnat.com, I would love to get your emails and hear from you!
The fact that Rachel is a working woman reminds me of the responsibility I have to stay busy and not be idle. How important it is for us to work and use our giftings and talents. I truly believe that we position ourselves to be blessed when we are productive workers or volunteers. Sometimes I wonder if life is just passing me by as I work day in and day out, but then I remember that God is always moving. Even behind the scenes of what seems boring and mundane, He is orchestrating a beautiful story.
Rachel is shepherding the sheep towards the well when she sees a stranger among the other shepherds. He looks in her direction with a mixed expression of excitement and relief. She watches as he quickly removes the stone from the well in order to water her sheep and then he runs towards her. He presents himself as her father’s nephew. A relative! Rachel gladly runs to her father’s home and retells the recent events. She then leads Laban back to the well to meet his sister’s son, Jacob. It was quite the scene. A splendid family reunion. Laban invites Jacob back to his home.
I imagine Rachel continues about her business as usual. Maybe she noticed Jacob’s attentions towards her. He might have stolen secret looks at her while working on Laban’s land. A month after his arrival Rachel’s father asks Jacob how he could repay him for working for him. I’m sure Rachel beamed with joy when Jacob asks for her hand in marriage in exchange for seven years of service.
How patient Rachel must have been as she waited for Jacob to complete his service to her father. My favorite verse in this story is verse 20“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
Finally, the day comes when Jacob’s seven years of service are complete. I can’t imagine Rachel’s excitement. Butterflies must have taken flight within her as she knew that she would be wed to the man who loved her and was willing to work so long in order to gain her.
Ladies, the right man for you should be willing to wait. Seven years or as long as it takes. If he can’t wait for marriage to get the goods then he is no good!
I truly believe that when it’s God ordained the time will fly and like for Jacob years will feel like days.
Sadly, in vesre 23 we see that Laban had other plans. He plays a trick on both Rachel and Jacob. 23 “But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob,”
How absolutely devastating. A day that was supposed to be all sunshine had a heavy dark cloud over it. What a rift this deception must have created between Rachel and her sister. Rachel must have felt extremely betrayed. I wonder if she blamed Leah for not having already been married.
At this point in the story the idea that sometimes we have exactly what/who we want directly in front of us but out of our reach comes to mind.
Have you ever been in this situation? How did you deal with it?
I must say that it’s not an easy one. I can’t even begin to think that I have the right answer to that question.
The best I could come up with is to seek God’s guidance. Definitely let’s not make emotional decisions because those never end well. Also, let’s not force things to happen if it’s clearly the wrong time. A friend once told me, “The right guy at the wrong time is just as bad as the wrong guy at any time.”
Rachel doesn’t completely lose Jacob. On the contrary, Jacob commits to work an additional seven years to marry Rachel.
They are wed but I can’t tell you that this was a happily ever after ending. Verse 30 says something crucial to the story, “and his [Jacob’s] love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah”
Rachel ends up having to share her husband and who wants that?!
Next week I want to take a look at Leah and her side of the story.
Today’s takeaway:
1. Don’t wait around for life to happen but work.
2. Live and enjoy where you are because that’s exactly where God needs you to be.
My Prayer for you:
Heavenly Father, you know how strained we feel sometimes. Sometimes our lives feel boring, insignificant or even mediocre. I ask you to please remind us that our seasons in life are not in vain. I ask you to transform our hearts that we may live with grateful hearts. Help us to enjoy our walks and rejoice in them regardless of the difficulty level. We trust that you are working behind the scenes. Help us to be patient as we wait for whatever we are praying for. Also give us wisdom that we may not become desperate and make permanent decisions on fleeting emotions. Thank you for your constant grace and protection. Please comfort those hearts that are hurting. Your word declares that you came to bind up the brokenhearted. Please let lose your healing over those who feel broken and damaged. Thank you, Jesus for hearing our prayers. It’s in your name that we pray, Amen!
Memory Verse: Psalm 37:5
Psalm 37:5 Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
I tried more of a storytelling approach today. Did you like it? Leave a comment, click like, or share this post! I would love to connect with you!
HELLO MAHALATH
But today… let’s talk about GRACE!
I know the focus of this blog is all about the women in the bible, but sometimes we need to take a look at the men in order to understand why some of the women are mentioned. This is one of those instances. By now in Esau’s life he has lost just about everything that mattered as the firstborn son. Jacob cons him into selling his birthright in Genesis 25:29-34 and then he straight up steals the firstborn blessing in Genesis 27. I’m sure Esau always knew that he was his father’s favorite and Jacob his mother’s but I think that in marrying the Hittite women even his father lost a bit of respect for him.
I think maybe he was counting on Mahalath to help him gain back some of his parents’ good graces.
Has that ever been you? Have you ever done something, big or small to gain someone’s forgiveness? Maybe wrote them a letter? I remember doing that back in middle school. Notes were all the rage back then. I got into some type of disagreement with my “B.F.F.” and I wrote her a long letter trying to make amends. Or maybe you went out of your way to buy something for someone or do something you know makes them feel loved. It’s interesting how we’re wired to try to gain forgiveness. Let’s be real. If you know and admit that you did something wrong you aren’t going to expect the offended party to just forgive you and get over it oh so quickly. Many times the offended party requires some groveling on our part in order to GRACE us with their forgiveness.
What is GRACE exactly?
The google definition: “(in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.”
Now that I think about it, that human nature piece must be why it’s so incomprehensible to us that God would give GRACE so extravagantly. He requires nothing but repentance in order to forgive. And what is repentance, simply the admittance of wrongdoing and the intentional choice of not committing the act again.
So, if you were completely honest with yourself right now what would you say is the Mahalath in your life? How have you tried to gain back our Heavenly Father’s good graces?
Did you think of it? Is it right there in the front of your mind?
Okay, good.
I pray this next statement may encourage and free you.
Nothing, NOTHING, N O T H I N G, you do can earn you God’s GRACE or forgiveness!
Isn’t that thought liberating?
I know it’s counter cultural but it is TRUTH!
Mahalath represents our striving, our efforts to gain what no one can gain.
Remember there is NOTHING you can do to make God love you any more or any less than He already does!
My Prayer for You:
Dear Jesus, right now I ask you for every person who is striving to gain your forgiveness. I pray for every person who is running themselves into the ground trying to gain your approval or your love. Please press on their hearts the irrevocable truth that you are gracious like no other. Please remind them that you love them just as they are. Allow them to feel your love. Help us to not go out into the world seeking Mahalath. Help us seek you instead because you receive us in our sin. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for your unconditional acceptance and love. Thank you for never letting go of us even when we try to pry your hands away. I ask that Romans 8:38-39 may be written on our hearts. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12: 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
HELLO JUDITH AND BASEMATH
I’m excited about today’s post… here are some new women who are not heroes. Like Lot’s Wife they are examples of what we should steer clear of. I’m grateful for these stories because we can learn so much from them. I hope you learn something new from this post. If you do please leave a comment below! I would love to connect with you and thank you personally for checking out Superstarnat.com.
DO NOT BE UNEQUALLY YOKED!
Genesis 26: 34 Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
In Genesis 26 we meet two women who enter Rebekah’s life as her daughters-in-law. Both of them are Hittite women. Their race possess a huge problem! You see back in chapter 24 when Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac, he gave him ONE rule…. NO CANAANITE women! (Genesis 24:3)
Unfortunately, Esau overlooked his grandfather’s instruction. He married two, not one, but two Hittite women.
Now why is this such a big deal? Is it really about race or about blessing?
To fully understand Isaac and Rebekah’s distress we need to have a short history lesson. Operative word being short.
I’ll take you back a few generations to Noah’s sons. There were three of them: Ham, Shem and Japheth. Genesis 9:22 says, “Ham, the father of Canaan…” This is a prelude to what is about to go down in verse 25 where Noah says, “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” Noah was upset with Ham for having dishonored him. Turn the page and check out Genesis 10 where in verses 6 – 20 we learn that Ham has a son named Canaan and that from Canaan came the clan of the Hittites. In Genesis 11:10-32 we learn that Abraham is a descendant of Shem. Now remember that Noah cursed Ham’s descendants and declared that they would be slaves to Shem’s descendants. Later in chapters 12 and 13 we see the Lord called Abraham out of his father’s land to go to a land the Lord promised to give him. Abraham ends up settling his family in the land of Canaan which the Lord promised would one day be his (his descendants). In the last part of Genesis 21 verse 12 God, while speaking to Abraham, declares that Isaac is the son through which his nations will be counted. “…because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.“ To help clarify the point I’ve been leading up to I want to share this line from Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, “The covenant seed of Abraham must be a people by themselves, not mingled with those who were out of covenant”.
To bring it all full circle in chapter 26 Isaac and Rebekah are filled with grief by Esau’s decision to marry women who are out of God’s blessing due to Noah’s curse over the Canaanites. He has disqualified himself from the blessing through this union.
Now how does Judith and Basemath relate to you and me?
When I first read this passage for this blog post the first thing that came to mind was, UNEQUALLY YOKED! Yup! I went there!
I really do not believe that Abraham was racist or prejudice against the Canaanites. I firmly and strongly believe that he was looking out for his descendants. For the generations to come. He wanted to make sure that the blessing was not tarnished. Ensuring that Isaac married from his own tribe to maintain the blessing.
The same goes for you and me. We are to maintain our blessing! We must also marry within our own tribe… Christianity. Judith and Basemath represent the world and those who live outside of God’s will. As Christians we are responsible to protect ourselves from being pulled into the world.
A friend gave me this illustration and I thought it made perfect sense.
Imagine that you are standing on a chair. What’s easier? For you to pull someone up onto the chair next to you or for the person standing on the ground to pull you down to their level?
That’s us. We are standing on a chair in our Christianity. Mingling romantically with those outside of Christianity is the same as extending our arm to be pulled down from our chair and back into the world.
Remember we are living in this world but we are not of it. [Hebrews 13:14]
Let’s be smarter than Esau. Let’s not scorn our blessing of salvation. Let’s protect it instead by keeping our romantic relationships within God’s boundaries. Do not be unequally yoked was His command!
My Prayer for You:
Heavenly Father, please give us wisdom. Please grant us the discernment to know when we are extending our hand to someone who can pull us away from you. Please keep us drawn in close to you that we may be lights shining on a hill instead of lamps hidden under a table. I pray that we may trust you to lead us in the correct path. That in singleness we may trust you and wait on. I pray that even if we are not single that we may learn to solely depend on you and not attempt to take things into our hands. Remind us that you are sovereign and do not need our help. We love you and thank you for your goodness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:14
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
If you enjoyed this post please like, comment and share!!!
HELLO KETURAH
Surprise!
Today we find a lesser known woman of Genesis in chapter 25.
Her name is Keturah.
Not much is said about Keturah. Her name appears twice in Genesis, in verses 1 and 4.
In true Old Testament fashion she is listed along with the names of her sons and grandsons.
So who was Keturah?
She was Abraham’s concubine or additional wife.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abraham in his old age… really old age… he’s now well into his 100’s, took another wife.
Genesis 25: 1 Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. 3 Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Ashurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanok, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.
Personally I believe that this happened after Sarah’s passing which is recorded in Genesis 23. In Genesis 24 we learned that Isaac married Rebekah. If we put it all together, Sarah passes and Isaac get’s married, we can understand that Abraham probably became lonely. Out of loneliness he took another wife. Or maybe he just wanted to continue having children to increase his descendants even more. Regardless, Abraham marries Keturah and she makes it into history.
Keturah means “incense” 1. She had six sons with Abraham and that’s all we know.
I always enjoy coming across unknown women in the bible. It reminds me that no matter our position we can make history.
I long to impact the world around me and live a life that is to be remember for generations to come. To leave a thumbprint on this world. A legacy.
Don’t you?
My Prayer for You:
Lord, I ask you to use Keturah’s name to remind us of our significance. The fact that you created us makes us valuable. I ask you to remind my readers of their worth in you. I ask that you stir their hearts. You created them with purpose. I pray that they may seek that purpose with which you knit them together. I pray that they may walk in you in such a way that they may leave an amazing legacy for the generations to come. That one day someone may say their name and praise you for how you moved through them. I thank you because we are chosen by you. Thank you for using us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Memory Verse: Matthew 10:31
Matt 10:31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
HELLO REBEKAH PART IV
Catch up: Hello Rebekah Part I, II, III.
Today I want to wrap up Hello Rebekah with Part IV.
Genesis 24 is a lengthy chapter. So much is going on.
I encourage you to read the entire chapter (here).
I particularly enjoy reading verse 28. I picture Rebekah grabbing her skirts in her hands and literally running home from the spring to tell her family the news. She probably picked up on the signs that this man was important and would bring a huge change to her life. I bet she even left the water jar behind forgetting the whole reason she went to the spring in the first place.
28 The young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.
50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. 51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.”
They immediately see God’s hand all over this story. God was clearly writing Isaac and Rebekah’s love story right before their eyes. How could they deny it? How could they reject the request? Rebekah was to be wed!
This automatically gives hope! God is the author! He wrote this story! He is writing my story! He is writing your story!
54… When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” 55 But her brother and her mother replied, “Let the young woman remain with us ten days or so; then you may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master.”
There is a saying in Spanish, “Lo que ta pa ti, nadie te lo quita”… “Whatever is in store for you, no one can take it away”
I believe this is true! It’s funny how Rebekah’s family were happy to oblige the night before but in the morning light wanted to delay the process. Maybe they realized they may never see Rebekah again. Maybe they became hesitant. Maybe they just wanted to prepare her for what was to come. There is no way to know for sure. What I do know is that they wanted to delay the trip. They wanted to keep Rebekah from her destiny even if for 10 days. But so much could happen within 10 days and Abraham’s servant was wise enough to understand that. He said, ‘Oh, No!’ He insisted that they leave immediately to prevent any circumstances getting in the way of Rebekah leaving at all.
In the same way I believe that there may be people in my/your life who will unknowingly try to delay the process. Or maybe knowingly. Heck, it could even be me, myself making poor decisions and delaying my blessings all on my own. That sounds like bad news… but the good news is right behind it.
57 Then they said, “Let’s call the young woman and ask her about it.” 58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said.
When God calls you. Because He WILL call you, be ready to say, “I will go.” Rebekah was, and she did. Because of her preparedness she was blessed.
59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.”
That is also my prayer for you! That as you and I work through our character defects we may be ready to accept God’s call. That as God calls us out into our mission field, we may respond with, “I will go.” And that as we go, we may be blessed beyond measures even our imaginations do not know.
The last couple of verses in Genesis 24 reveal Isaac and Rebekah’s first meeting. It’s truly romantic. Out of a movie if you will. Go read it for yourself (here)! But remember those verses were written as a result of Rebekah’s willingness.
Are you ready?
Are you willing?
God is writing your story. He is calling on you to go. How will you answer Him? My Prayer For You:
Jesus Christ, I thank you once more for Rebekah’s story. I truly love this story of destiny and God’s authority. I appreciate the fact that as you wrote Rebekah’s story, you can write mine as well. I pray for those reading this today wondering if you are writing their story. Those who are seeking their happy ending in you. Jesus please reveal to them sneak peeks of your plan. Help us become the people you designed us to be that we may be ready to accept your call. That we may not hesitate or delay the process but that we may be pure and generous as Rebekah was. That we may be bold and courageous to step out into the unknown wherever you may call us to. That as we chase you and listen for your voice we may answer you with, “I will go.” Thank you for your protection and covering over our lives. Be glorified through us at all times. We love you and need you! It’s in Jesus’ heavenly name that I pray, Amen!
Memory Verse: Genesis 24:58
Genesis 24:58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she said.
HELLO REBEKAH PART III
The past few weeks we’ve been learning about Rebekah, Milkah’s granddaughter.
Quick Review….
Week 1: I focused on the journey to her and how it relates to the man of your dreams.
Week 2: I discovered three of Rebekah’s character traits in Genesis 24:16 that we can all apply to our lives.
Week 3: I want to continue examining Rebekah’s character.
- Servant’s Heart… Rebekah was quick to help a stranger in need. She didn’t walk away and ignore him. I imagine her coming up from the spring with a mind full of desert thoughts not even noticing the man with a full caravan. Maybe he startled her with his approach knocking her out of her daze. Regardless of her daydreams she was “quick” to serve! I love it. To be honest, this convicts my heart. How often am I asked for a small favor and in my heart do not respond with a servant’s heart as Rebekah did?
The next verse blows me away even further.
19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.
Talk about a servant’s heart! Can I add a generous one, too? Let’s shed some perspective on this task Rebekah just volunteered herself for. In verse 10 we are told that Abraham’s servant loaded 10 camels to go on this trip. Ten, T-E-N, TEN!!!! How much does a camel drink? You best believe that I googled it! According to an article I found from National Geographic camels can drink up to 30 gallons of water in a span of 13 minutes.
So hold up! Rebekah drew enough water for the camels to drink their full. Let’s do some math. 10 camels, 30 gallons per camel, so Rebekah drew 10 x 30 gallons of water which equals 300 gallons of water. How long would that have taken?! How big was her jar?! Remember last week I mentioned her upper body strength… yeah, homegirl was STRONG!!!!
In verse 21 we learn that we are not the only ones peering into Rebekah’s heart. She is being observed by the stranger as well.
21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.
Bonus thought: Let’s be observant. Kindhearted like Rebekah and observant like Abraham’s servant. Sometimes it’s best to just sit back and watch someone’s character and decisions. Allow people to show what’s truly in their hearts before you allow them all the way in or make them privy to your secrets. Remember Proverbs 4:23, guard your heart.
22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. 23 Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor.” 25 And she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”
Today I hope to encourage you to be generous and have a servant’s heart. It’s been said that giving is better than receiving and that you can’t receive with a closed fist.
Let’s be generous even when it’s uncomfortable. Let’s be generous even when it inconvenient. Let’s be generous because you never know what blessing God has waiting for you on the other side of that generosity. Like Rebekah we can be on the brink of greatness and all we need to do is respond with a generous heart.
My prayer for you:
Heavenly Father. You are the owner of all of the cattle on all of the hills. You created all that is in existence. Lord help us to remember that if you are kind to the birds of the sky how much more will you take care of us your children. I ask you to break all greed in our hearts that we may learn to be generous and servant-hearted. Help us remember that when we treat others with kindness and generosity it is as if we are doing the same to you. Please make us aware of when we are not being generous and give us the strength to surrender to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Memory Verse: Hebrews 13:2
Hebrews 13:2
SUPERSTARNAT 