Repost: The Woman at the Well

My Bible reading included John chapter 4 this morning.  I've always loved the story of the woman at the well.  The week before I studied her, I had studied Dinah, the daughter of Jacob.  These two women will always be connected in my mind because their stories take place in the same location.

Last week's woman had a sad ending, this week's is just the opposite.  I love the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, she's proof of God's grace and His power to change a life.  The commentaries on this story were so good!  I had a difficult time picking and choosing what to share, so here I am on Saturday afternoon trying to get this week's study typed!

Verses:  John 4:4-42

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We know nothing of her family except "thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband" (John 4:18.)  We'll talk about those husbands later, but an important thing to understand is who the Samaritans were.  According to Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, the Samaritans were:

This people was formerly composed of a few of the ten tribes and a mixture of foreigners. When the ten tribes were carried away into captivity to Babylon, the King of Assyria sent people from Cutha, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to inhabit their country.  The grounds of difference between the two nations were the following:

1. The Jews, after their return from Babylon, set about rebuilding their temple. The Samaritans offered to aid them. The Jews, however, perceiving that it was not from a love of true religion, but that they might obtain a part of the favors granted to the Jews by Cyrus, rejected their offer. The consequence was, that a stare of long and bitter animosity arose between them and the Jews.

2. While Nehemiah was engaged in building the walls of Jerusalem, the Samaritans used every art to thwart him in his undertaking.

3. The Samaritans at length obtained leave of the Persian monarch to build a temple for themselves. This was erected on “Mount Gerizim,” and they strenuously contended that that was the place designated by Moses as the place where the nation should worship. Sanballat, the leader of the Samaritans, constituted his son-in-law, Manasses, high priest. The religion of the Samaritans thus became perpetuated, and an irreconcilable hatred arose between them and the Jews.

4. Afterward Samaria became a place of resort for all the outlaws of Judea. They received willingly all the Jewish criminals and refugees from justice. The violators of the Jewish laws, and those who had been excommunicated, betook themselves for safety to Samaria, and greatly increased their numbers and the hatred which subsisted between the two nations. 

5. The Samaritans received only the five books of Moses, and rejected the writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions. From these causes arose an irreconcilable difference between them, so that the Jews regarded them as the worst of the human race, and had no dealings with them.

One final important note is the Samaritans acknowledged the five books of Moses, so they were also expecting the coming of the Messiah.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
Jesus made a special stop just for this woman.  John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible said, "Her coming was not by chance, but by the providence of God, and agreeably to his purpose, who orders all things according to the counsel of his will; and it is an amazing instance of grace, that a woman, a Samaritan woman, a lewd and infamous one, should be a chosen vessel of salvation, should be the object of divine favour, and be effectually called by the grace of God; when so many wise, learned, and religious men in Judea, were passed by; and not only so, but she was the happy means of conveying the knowledge of the Saviour to many of her neighbours: she came, indeed."

When Jesus asked for a drink, she responded with a question, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?"  Some commentaries said she scoffed or was angry, others said she was curious or surprised.  I've always thought it was surprise or curiosity that had her questioning.  Though her lifestyle was sinful, she did not seem to be proud of it.

Synopsis of the Old and New Testaments by John Nelson Darby said, "The life of this woman was shameful; but she was ashamed of it; at the least her position had isolated her, by separating her from the crowd that forgets itself in the tumult of social life. And there is no inward grief like an isolated heart; but Christ and grace more than meets it.  What a meeting! And God who had stooped so low as to be dependent on her for a little water to quench His thirst!"

Such a conversation they had.  Jesus knew everything about her and she had no idea to Whom she was speaking.  All she could think about was actual water.  If she could have that water, she wouldn't have to come back to the well each day.  "Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly."  Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible said, "A severe reproof of her present state of life: He whom thou now hast is not thy husband. Either she was never married to him at all, or he had some other wife, or, which is most probable, her former husband or husbands were living: so that, in short, she lived in adultery. Yet observe how mildly Christ tells her of it; he doth not call her strumpet, but tells her, He with whom thou livest is not thy husband: and then leaves it to her own conscience to say the rest."  Her response was so simple, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

I can think of no greater example of someone resetting - an encounter with Jesus changed this woman from an adulteress to an evangelist!  

"A glorious revelation of Christ acts upon the soul where it is, and brings the Person of Jesus into connection with the need already felt. "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh; and when he is come, he will tell us all things." Small as her intelligence might be, and unable as she was to understand what Jesus had told her, His love meets her where she can receive blessing and life; and He replies, "I, that speak unto thee, am he." The work was done: the Lord was received. A poor Samaritan sinner receives the Messiah of Israel, whom the priests and the Pharisees had rejected from among the people. The moral effect upon the woman is evident. She forgets her waterpot, her toil, her circumstances. She is engrossed by this new object that is revealed to her soul — by Christ; so engrossed that, without thinking, she becomes a preacher; that is, she proclaims the Lord in the fulness of her heart and with perfect simplicity. He had told her all that she had ever done. She does not think at that moment of what it was. Jesus had told it her; and the thought of Jesus takes away the bitterness of the sin. The sense of His goodness removes the guile of heart that seeks to conceal its sin. In a word, her heart is entirely filled with Christ Himself. Many believed in Him through her declaration — "He has told me all that ever I did"; many more, when they had heard Him. His own word carried with it a stronger conviction, as more immediately connected with His Person." (John Nelson Darby)

We read of a revival in Samaria in Acts chapter 8.  Would Philip been effective there if Jesus hadn't been there first?  The people "with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake," and "there was great joy in that city."  Men and women were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.  It didn't stop with a single city but the gospel was preached in many villages.  I believe this unnamed woman was one of them!

Potiphar's Wife ~ Woman of the Week

As I already mentioned, I have not studied Potiphar's wife yet.  I'm actually kind of surprise that I hadn't!  I did write about Joseph and how great it is that he didn't seek revenge once he was in power.  (You can read that post here.)

Verses: Genesis 39

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

We know very little about Potiphar's wife.  The name Potiphar means “devoted to the sun.” It was a name connected with the Egyptian religious system.  We don't know if they had any children.

 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats?  How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

The first few verses of Genesis 39 talk about Joseph's role in the household.  His master trusted him completely.  Verse seven introduces Potiphar's wife, "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me."

 

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary says, "Egyptian women were not kept in the same secluded manner as females are in most Oriental countries now. They were treated in a manner more worthy of a civilized people - in fact, enjoyed much freedom both at home and abroad. Hence Potiphar’s wife had constant opportunity of meeting Joseph. But the ancient women of Egypt were very loose in their morals. Intrigues and intemperance were vices very prevalent among them, as the monuments too plainly attest. Potiphar’s wife was probably not worse than many of the same rank, and her infamous advances made to Joseph arose from her superiority of station."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible points out that "Her sin began in the eye."  I find that interesting since it was when Eve "saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise" that caused her to eat the forbidden fruit.  We must be very careful with our eyes.

Genesis 39:10 says, "And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her."  John Gill's Exposition of the Bible says, "Continually, incessantly, hoping in time to prevail upon him to comply with her desires; so that the temptation, as it was strong, and very ensnaring, it was urgent, and frequent, and pressed with great importunity; which required the more grace and spiritual strength to resist."

We don't know how long "day by day" lasted, but she was persistent.  She finally found her perfect opportunity on a day when none of the men of the house were there.  Maybe she thought Joseph was just pretending when he resisted, but with no witnesses, this was her opportunity.  But verse 12 says, "And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out."

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

There was never a greater example of "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," than Potiphar's wife.  She saw Joseph run away and now she had his garment in her hand.  He did not run away naked, but his outer garment was stripped off.

Verse 14 says "she called unto the men of her house."  I have to wonder, when Joseph came in they weren't there, but she was able to call them very quickly.  Did she have this planned?

 

Not only did she lie about Joseph, she also blamed her husband, "saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us."  Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible says, "Potiphar’s wife affects to throw great blame on her husband, whom we may reasonably suppose she did not greatly love. He hath brought in - he hath raised this person to all his dignity and eminence, to give him the greater opportunity to mock us."

More from Matthew Henry, "What an improbable story she tells, producing his garment as an evidence that he had offered violence to her, which was a plain indication that she had offered violence to him.  No marvel that she who had impudence enough to say, Lie with me, had front enough to say, “He would have lien with me.” Had the lie been told to conceal her own crime it would have been bad enough, yet, in some degree, excusable; but it was told to be revenged upon his virtue, a most malicious lie. And yet, she manages it so as to incense her husband against him, reflecting upon him for bringing this Hebrew servant among them, perhaps at first against her mind, because he was a Hebrew.  As this matter was represented, one would have thought chaste Joseph a very bad man and his wanton mistress a virtuous woman."

We don't read anything else about Potiphar or his wife.  Just like other wicked people in the Bible, God took their evil deeds and turned it into good.  We will never know if they stood on the sidelines while Joseph was elevated to number two in the kingdom.

I want to end this post on a positive note.  Joseph is an excellent example of forgiveness. I wrote about forgiveness here. "The Purpose of the Church," was a fabulous message we heard in Hawaii.  These bullet points about liberation are so good.  In light of Joseph's life, he truly did escape the prison of unforgiveness.

 

Liberation
There are two things that lock you in prison that you cannot escape - a lie and unforgiveness.
Unforgiveness causes chaos and health issues.
Forgiveness is not an option.  Your best life cannot happen if you won't release the junk you hold on to.
Revenge means that you become God.  It never works.
Baptism frees us from our past.  God forgives us, but He can't forgive FOR us.
True forgiveness cannot happen unless you give up all control and hope for revenge.

Woman of the Week ~ Potiphar's Wife

I'm reading the story of Joseph's life in Genesis and realized I have never studied Potiphar's wife.  I think it's time.

 

Verses: Genesis 39

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Queen of Sheba ~ Woman of the Week

I started studying Herodias last week and decided I needed a more positive story to balance out the previous week!  I decided to take a look at the Queen of Sheba.

 

Verses: 1 Kings 10:1-13

 

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

I couldn't find anything about the family of the Queen of Sheba.  There is no mention of parents, husband or children.  There is quite a bit of disagreement regarding where she was queen - Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria, and southern Arabia in modern day Yemen all claim her.

 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

1 Kings 10:1 says, "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions."  I think the important part of that verse is not the fame of Solomon, but the name of the Lord.

 

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible says, "His knowledge of the true God, the favor he was in with Him, the excellent wisdom he had received from Him, and what he had done for His honor and glory."

Expositions of Holy Scripture by Alexander MacLaren put it this way, "The queen had heard the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, by which seems to be meant his reputation of being gifted with deep knowledge of the divine character as revealed to him. The questions which occupy earnest souls in all lands and ages were stirring in the heart of this woman-chief. The only way, in these old days, to learn the wisdom of the wise, was to go to them. So the streets of Jerusalem saw the strange sight of the long train which had come toiling up from Arabia, laden with its characteristic produce, gold and spices and precious stones, in the enumeration of which is reflected the wonder of the beholders at the unaccustomed procession. But better than all her wealth was the eager woman’s thirst for truth. Surely it is a very unworthy and unlikely explanation of her ‘hard questions’ and purpose to suppose that she came only for a duel of wit,-to pose Solomon with half-playful riddles. The journey was too toilsome, the gifts too large, the accent of conviction in her subsequent words too grave, for that. She was a seeker after truth, and probably after God, and had known the torture of the eternal questions which rise in the mind, and, once having risen, leave no rest till they are answered."

 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

The Queen of Sheba is a beautiful example of being a hearer of the word and believing it.  She didn't come for an argument and she heard and saw for herself.

I Kings 10:4-10, "And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.  And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.  Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.  And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon."

It would be easy to focus on the outward trappings that she saw, but there was more to Solomon than just wealth.  More than once she says, "thy wisdom."  Her final conclusion was, "Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice."

 

Finally, in Matthew 12:42 Jesus speaks of the Queen of Sheba as He rebukes certain scribes and Pharisees: "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." 

Drusilla and Bernice ~ Women of the Week

We don't have any recorded words of either of these women, but what I did find about them was quite interesting.

 

Verses:  Acts chapters 24-26

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

Their father was Herod Agrippa, the grandson of Herod the Great.  King Agrippa was their brother.

 

Herod the Great is the one in Matthew chapter 2 who was visited by the wise men and when the wise men did not return to tell him where Jesus was, he had all the children under the age of two killed.

 

Herod Agrippa is named in Acts chapter 12.  "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also." (vs. 1-3)  His life came to an end in that same chapter, "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost."  (vs. 12-23)

 

Between Herod the Great and Herod Agrippa was Herod Antipas.  He was the Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded.  He was Herod Agrippa's uncle, great uncle to King Agrippa, Drusilla and Bernice.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

The Bible does not record much about either woman, but commentaries (and Wikipedia) had a lot.

According to David Guzik's Enduring Word Commentary, "Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ: Felix wanted his wife to hear Paul’s testimony, either as a curiosity or so that she could advise him. After all, he claimed to have insufficient evidence for a decision.  Drusilla was reported to be of great beauty, and Felix seduced her away from her husband, enticing her to become his third wife. The lax morals of Felix and Drusilla help to explain the topics on which Paul spoke to them."

 

One common theme about Drusilla was that her son died in Pompeii when Mt. Vesuvius erupted.  Some even said that she died there.  Acts 24:27 says, "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."  "Felix' room" means Festus became governor instead of Felix.

The following chapter, we read about Bernice.  Acts 25:13 says, "And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus."  All my life I had assumed that Bernice was the wife of king Agrippa.  Every commentary I read said that she was his sister.  Most also stated that the two of them had an incestuous relationship.  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says, "She had been married to Herod, king of Chalcis, her own uncle by her father’s side. After his death she proposed to Polemon, king of Pontus and part of Cilicia, that if he would become circumcised she would marry him. He complied, but she did not continue long with him. After she left him she returned to her brother Agrippa, with whom she lived in a manner such as to excite scandal. Josephus directly charges her with incest with her brother Agrippa."

 

Acts 25:23 says, "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp."  Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible describes it best, "These children of Herod Agrippa made this pompous appearance in that very city where, a few years before, their father, for his Pride, was smitten of God, and eaten up by worms! How seldom do the living lay any of God’s judgments to heart!"

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Both women had the opportunity to hear the Apostle Paul first hand.  They could have chosen the way of truth.  In Drusilla's case, her husband trembled when he heard Paul, but said, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."  The convenient time never came for Felix and I have to assume it never came for Drusilla either.

Acts chapter 26 records Paul's words to Agrippa.  Verse 23 says, "That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."  Agrippa responded to Paul with these well known words, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."  Verse 30 says, "And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them," so it is clear that she also heard Paul's words.  

If I've learned anything about women of the Bible, it's that they have had great influence in the lives of their husbands (or lovers as is the case with Bernice.)  If either of these sisters had been moved by Paul's words, I believe they would have spoken up or at least tried to persuade Felix and Agrippa in private.

Women of the Week ~ Drusilla and Bernice

I'm jumping over to the New Testament this week and I'm also combining two women.  There is very little known about them, but they were sisters and their lives were tied together with the Apostle Paul.  These are two that I have never given much thought to, but my Women of the Bible book dropped some seeds that I want to follow.

Verses:  Acts chapters 24-26

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Pharaoh's Daughter ~ Woman of the Week

After studying Jochebed last week, I started thinking about her relationship with Pharaoh's daughter.  We don't have any details, but I wonder if they chatted from time to time when Moses was a toddler.  They both loved him, but I wonder if their relationship was friendly or did jealousy get in the way?  The Bible is silent, so I'm left to wonder...

Verses:  Exodus 2

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

I went down a rabbit hole and didn't really find any answers!  The Bible doesn't give us a name for Pharaoh.   Pharaoh was a title and it isn't clear which Pharaoh was the father of this woman.  We also don't know her name. This article about Pharaohs is very interesting.  Near the end there is a section called "Why the Ambiguity About the Exodus Pharaoh?"  It says, "One obvious archaeological reason is the Egyptian practice of damnatio memoriae (“condemnation of memory”). This is the act of excising embarrassing acts, individuals and defeats from historical records. Ancient Egyptian leaders are known to be masters at eliminating their own history."

 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

Pharaoh's daughter comes along at the perfect moment.  Many commentaries said that she was married, but childless.  Barrenness in the Bible was often an act of God, so I wonder if that was the case here, too.  If she had a child of her own, would she have cared about the one in the river?

 

Exodus 2:4 is the bridge from Jochebed, the true mother of Moses, to the woman who would become the mother of Moses.  She was there to wash at the river when she spotted the ark.  Just an ordinary day, washing at the river, allowed God to use Pharaoh's daughter to educate the one God would use to lead his people out of bondage.

 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Exodus 2:6 says, "And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children."

 

The Pulpit Commentary says, "Perhaps she suspected what she would find inside; but would it be a living or a dead child? This she could not know. She opened, and looked. It was a living babe, and it wept. At once her woman’s heart, heathen as she was, went out to the child — its tears reached the common humanity that lies below all differences of race and creed — and she pitied it. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." This is one of the Hebrews’ children. Hebrew characteristics were perhaps stamped even upon the infant visage. Or she formed her conclusion merely from the circumstances. No Egyptian woman had any need to expose her child, or would be likely to do so; but it was just what a Hebrew mother, under the cruel circumstances of the time, might have felt herself forced to do. So she drew her conclusion, rapidly and decidedly, as is the way of woman."

It seems almost immediately that Miriam approached with the offer to find a nurse for the baby.  Jochebed must have coached Miriam before setting Moses in the water.  Again, God provided a way for Moses to return to his parents for a time.  But his time as the son of Pharaoh's daughter was also important.  He received training that would be needed.  Matthew Henry's Commentary says, "Those whom God designs for great services he find out ways to qualify and prepare beforehand. Moses, by having his education in a court, is the fitter to be a prince and king in Jeshurun; by having his education in a learned court (for such the Egyptian then was) is the fitter to be an historian; and by having his education in the court of Egypt is the fitter to be employed, in the name of God, as an ambassador to that court."

We don't read anything else about either of these mothers.  I'm still left wondering.  I picture both mothers hurting when Moses kills an Egyptian and then has to flee.  I may not have the answers, but I'm thankful that God uses women of every kind to bring his promises to pass.

Woman of the Week ~ Pharaoh's Daughter

Verses:  Exodus 2

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Jochebed ~ Woman of the Week

From some reason, I studied Miriam in 2015 but not Jochebed.  You can read Miriam's post here.  Jochebed's story is found in only one chapter of the Bible, but her choices paved the way for Moses to be the one who would lead the children of Israel out of bondage.  In my studying I found that Jochebed's name means "Jehovah gloried" or "the glory of Jehovah."  Her story is closely intertwined with Pharoah's daughter.  I will study her next week, but this week I just want to focus on Jochebed.

 

Verses:  Exodus 2

 

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

As seems to always be the case when studying the Bible, I realized a little more about the family of Moses.  Exodus 2:1 simply says, "And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi."  This man was named Amram, he was the grandson of Levi, which made him the great grandson of Jacob.  Exodus 6:20 says, "And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses."  Since people lived such long lives it wouldn't have been uncommon for Amram to have an aunt (his father's sister) who was close to the same age as him.  It also appears that Levi was still alive when Amram was born.

Jochebed gave birth to Miriam, Aaron and Moses.   Miriam is believed to be the oldest, approximately 7-10 years older than Moses, and Aaron was 3 years older. 

 

What is she most known for? Victories?  Defeats?  How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

Exodus 2:2 says, "And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months." Commentaries wrote that Pharoah's decree that when a Hebrew son was born he was to be killed occurred after Miriam and Aaron were born.  John Wesley's Notes on the Bible says, "Probably his mother had little joy of her being with child of him, now this edict was in force."  I have to wonder, did she pray for another daughter?  But once Moses arrived, she and her husband made the bold decision to hide him.

Hebrews 11:23 says, "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment."  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says, "His parents were led to preserve his life by their confidence in God. They believed that he was destined to some great purpose, and that he would be spared, notwithstanding all the probabilities against it, and all the difficulties in the case."

For three months Moses was hid.  Can you imagine how Jochebed's heart must have raced whenever he cried?  A newborn cry is usually small, but by three months I'm sure he was making plenty of noise.  Did she fear her own neighbors or some Egyptian who might walk by?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Exodus 2:3 says, "And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."  The time finally came when she could no longer hide him. His lungs were fully developed and as with any baby, when he was unhappy or hungry or tired, everyone in the household knew about it. I picture her with tears streaming down her face as she prepared an ark for her precious baby. Wrapping him gently, holding him close, then placing him in the ark.

The end of verse three says that she laid it by the river.  While Miriam was the one left to watch over the baby, it was Jochebed who laid him there.  Such an act of faith!  A faith that was rewarded in verses 7-9 when Pharoah's daughter found the baby.  Not only was her baby saved, but he was returned to her with pay!

 

Alexander MacLaren's commentary says, "Will it be thought too fanciful if we suggest that we are taught another lesson -namely, that the faith which surrenders its earthly treasures to God, in confidence of His care, is generally rewarded and vindicated by receiving them back again, glorified and sanctified by the altar on which they have been laid? Jochebed clasped her recovered darling to her bosom with a deeper gladness, and held him by a surer title, when Miriam brought him back as the princess’s charge, than ever before. We never feel the preciousness of dear ones so much, nor are so calm in the joy of possession, as when we have laid them in God’s hands, and have learned how wise and wonderful His care is."

 

Verse 10 tells us that she brought Moses to Pharoah's daughter.  We don't know how old he was.  I think he may have been more than just a toddler, since he identified with the children of Israel when he saw their suffering.  When I studied Hannah, I found a very helpful explanation of weaning by John Gill: "there was a three fold weaning of children in old times; the first from their mother's milk, when three years old; the second from their tender age, and care of a dry nurse, when seven years old; the third from childish manners, when at twelve years of age; and that it is this last and metaphorical weaning which is here meant, when Samuel was twelve years of age, and fit to serve in the temple."

 

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary says, "His age when removed to the palace is not stated; but he was old enough to be well instructed in the principles of the true religion; and those early impressions, deepened by the power of divine grace, were never forgotten or effaced."  Jochebed and Amram must have taken every opportunity to instruct Moses.

 

The Bible does not record the deaths of Jochebed or Amram, we don't know if they were alive when Moses fled Egypt or when he returned 40 years later.  But they deserve great honor for their bravery in keeping him alive.

Woman of the Week ~ Jochebed

I've rearranged my Women of the Word page and was surprised that I had never studied Jochebed, the mother of Moses.  I'll be fixing that this week.

 

Verses:  Exodus 2

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Milcah ~ Woman of the Week

Little of Milcah's story is known and it is one that I had never considered before.  Her family tree intersects with Abraham and Sarah more than once.  What I found was a line that connects both Sarah and Milcah to Shem, the son of Noah, and all the way to Jesus.  I got so excited while studying this!  

Genesis 9:26 says, "Blessed be the LORD God of Shem." Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible says this, "Yahweh, the one true, living, known God, is his God. The knowledge and worship of the Creator is preserved in the family of Shem, when it is lost or fatally obscured among the other descendants of Noah."  Although ten generations separated them, Shem was still living when Abraham was born.  The story of God's deliverance was still being passed down first hand. 

 

Milcah was the daughter of Haran, the brother of Abraham.  This made her the sister (or at least half-sister) of Lot.  When their father died, Abraham assumed the care of Lot, while his other brother, Nahor, married Milcah.   There is no record of how old Lot or Milcah were at the time of their father's death, but it would not have been unusual for Milcah to be a young teenager when she wed.  In "The Women of the Bible" the author writes that Sarah and Milcah were most likely childhood friends while still living in Ur.

I wrote a lengthy post in 2015 called, "Who Was Cain's Wife?"  The Genesis Record by Dr. Henry Morris goes into quite a bit of detail to answer that question.  A key to understanding these close family marriages is this, "In order to get this process of multiplication started, of course, at least one of Adam’s sons had to marry one of Adam’s daughters. Probably, in that first generation, all marriages were brother-sister marriages. In that early time, there were no mutant genes in the genetic systems of any of these children, so that no genetic harm could have resulted from close marriages. Many, many generations later, during the time of Moses, such mutations had accumulated to the point where such unions were genetically dangerous, so that incest was thenceforth prohibited in the Mosaic laws."

Nahor and Milcah stayed behind in Ur when Terah, Abraham, Sarah and Lot traveled to Canaan as found in Genesis chapter 11. Later on, however, Nahor must have brought his own family on up to Haran, or to the nearby city of Nahor, both believed to be in the region of Mesopotamia.  We don't know if the family was ever reunited in Abraham's lifetime, but Genesis 22:20 says, "And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor."  There were eight sons born, the youngest was Bethuel, the father of Rebekah. 

 

 

Abraham was 75 years old when God called him out of Haran. 65 years later Abraham sent his servant to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor to find a bride for Isaac. "It was profoundly important that both Isaac and his wife be completely united in their faith in their covenant God, in order to properly instruct their children in this faith. His wife must not even be a recent convert. She must be one who had been instructed concerning God from her youth, and who had loved and served Him all her life. To find such a girl, if there were any such anywhere, Abraham must search among his own people." (The Genesis Record)

Nahor and Milcah were both descendants of Shem just like Abraham.  They were part of the family that preserved the worship of the Creator.  It might seem strange that Nahor did not leave Ur with Abraham, but I wonder if God's hand was on that.  Another thing to consider - if Milcah had stayed with her brother, Lot, instead of marrying Nahor, she could have also ended up in Sodom.  Although they had been separated for many years, when the time was right, God brought the descendants of Shem back together.  Isaac, the son of Sarah, married Rebekah, the granddaughter of Sarah's childhood friend, Milcah.  

 

You won't find Milcah's name in the recorded genealogy of Christ or in the great Faith chapter of Hebrews chapter 11.  But through Milcah we have Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel - mothers and wives of the great patriarchs.  The Scarlet Thread of Redemption came through all these women.

Woman of the Week - Milcah

As I mentioned, Pastor White loaned me a little book called "The Women of the Bible."  I didn't get very far in my reading before I knew I wanted a copy of this book for my own library.  I found a used one on Amazon and I'm ready to study more women.  I'm also going to be rearranging my Women of the Word page.  Currently they are in the order that I studied them, but I'm going to put them in the order they are found in the Bible, which I think will make more sense.

This week I'll be looking at Milcah, fellow traveler with Abraham and Sarah.

 

Verses:  Genesis 11, Genesis 22, Genesis 24

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

My Next Read

 

During Wednesday night Bible study a couple of weeks ago Pastor White talked about a book that he had.  It belonged to his grandmother and was published in 1924 - 99 years ago!  My ears really perked up when he gave the title, "The Women of the Bible."  After church I mentioned to Pastor White that it sounded like an interesting book and last night he brought it for me to borrow!

I have studied many women in the Bible so I am looking forward to reading what was written about those I have studied.  I am also looking forward to finding new ones to study!

Vashti, Esther and Zeresh

My Bible reading this week includes the book of Esther.  It's such an amazing book.  I studied both Vashti and Esther in 2015 when I studied women of the Bible.  Vashti's story was eye opening to me.  Her refusal to expose herself to a group of drunken men brought her removal from the throne.  She has been considered a rebellious women when in reality she obeyed "the law of the Persians, which suffered not women to be seen in public; and particularly did not allow their wives to be with them at feasts, only their concubines and harlots, with whom they could behave with more indecency; as for their wives, they were kept out of sight, at home (s); and therefore Vashti might think it an indignity to be treated as an harlot or concubine." (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)  You can read the full post here.

Following Vashti's removal, we meet Esther.  She was a woman of great grace and dignity, who submitted herself to the authorities in her life. "If I perish, I perish."  Such brave words!  "I will put my life in danger and refer the success to God, seeing it is for his glory and the deliverance of his Church." (1599 Geneva Bible Translation Notes)  "Signifying, that she readily and cheerfully risked her life for the good of her people; and if such was the pleasure of God, that she should lose it, she was content, and acquiesced in his will, leaving herself entirely in his hands, to dispose of her as he thought fit." (John Gill)

 

While I usually consider the defeat of Haman's plot the end of Esther, she continued to be influential in the kingdom.  The final verses about Esther show that she continued to lean upon Mordecai's counsel and spiritual guidance.  He helped her write letters establishing the Feast of Purim.  Esther 9:29 says, "Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim."  Verse 32 says, "And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book."  A new festival was instituted, "It was called the feast of Purim, from a Persian word, which signifies a lot. The name of this festival would remind them of the almighty power of the God of Israel, who served his own purposes by the superstitions of the heathen." (Matthew Henry)

 

According to the Jewish virtual library, "Esther, while she needed some convincing, was able to save the Jewish population in Persia. She is considered one of the most heroic women in Jewish history. Her story is read every year on Purim."  You can read the full post on Esther here.

 

The feast of  Purim is still celebrated each year in March. It covers two days, the first being the Fast of Esther, followed by the Festival of Purim. This particular fast has one purpose - to remember God’s deliverance of the Jews from Haman’s attempt at extermination.  We don't usually fast to remember, but to ask God for something.  I know I have never fasted in remembrance of what God has done for me.  The next day, during the Festival of Purim, is a time of joyful celebration.  I wrote about it in my post called "When Satan Runs Amok in the Streets."

There is one more woman in the book of Esther that I did not study.  She popped up in my reading this morning.  Esther 5:14 says, "Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."

Zeresh is mentioned by name only three times - Esther 5:10 and 14 and Esther 6:13. Between the time when the gallows were built and Esther's banquet, the king had a troubled night.  It was during that night that the king was reminded that Mordecai had saved his life and no honor had been given to him.  Haman is then forced to show Mordecai great honor.

Esther 6:12-13 says, "But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.  And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him."

That is all we read about Zeresh, but we do read in Esther 9:14, "they hanged Haman's ten sons."  We don't know where Zeresh was.  I do wonder, was she still alive and watching as her sons were hanged?  She was a wife who's influence contributed to great harm to her own family.

One book in the Bible, ten short chapters, and three very different women.

Bitterness - The Link from Love to Hate

I started reading the book of 2 Samuel this week.  As I continue reading about David's life I am reminded of the wives of David that I studied.  His first wife was Michal, the daughter of King Saul.  My feelings about her really changed after studying her a little more deeply.  You can read the entire post here, but I thought I'd share what I think turned her from loving David to despising him.

1 Samuel 18:20 says that Michal loved David, the only place in the Bible where a woman's love for a man is recorded, according to footnotes in The Jewish Study Bible.  This is repeated in verse 28 of the same chapter.  However, there is no biblical record of David having loved Michal.   When Saul learned that Michal loved David he hoped that she would be a snare to David.

I posted a timeline of the life of David here.  It was very helpful as I studied.

In 1008 B.C. David married Michal.  After approximately one year of marriage, David fled because Saul wanted to kill him.  Michal was left behind.  In 1005 B.C. Michal was given to Paltiel in Gallim.  During David's time on the run, he married Abigail and Ahinoam.

Five years later, in 1000 B.C., Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle and David is anointed king.  David marries four additional wives and has at least six sons by his six wives.

998 BC - Michal returned to David
They were only together one year, now some nine years and six wives later David wants Michal back.  I can't even imagine how she must have felt.  Her father and brothers were all dead.  The young man she loved and married has spent years as a warrior on the run and is now the king with six wives and at least six sons.  I'm sure that's not quite the marriage she had dreamed of.  Some commentaries said he wanted her back because he loved her, but others said it was purely political.

Sadly, Michal seemed to be married to a man who wanted just her.  When Ishbosheth took her from her husband, he "went with her along weeping behind her." (2 Samuel 3:16)  "Because of his great affection to her, unwilling to part with her, but forced to it at the command of the king." (John Gill)  That is such a sad picture to me!  And I wonder if it was then that the root of bitterness that had been growing reached full growth.  Maybe Michal was proud to be called back to the palace, but it wasn't going to be easy.

 

992 BC - The ark is returned. 
Six years after Michal is returned to David a great celebration takes place. The ark of God is brought back with sacrifices and great rejoicing.  On this great day, the verse that tells how much Michal has changed appears, "And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart."  

Michal had gone from loving David to despising him.  This same phrase "she despised him in her heart" is also found in 1Chronicles 15:29.  As soon as David returned home, Michal went out to meet him.  She was so harsh mocking his worship.  "And said, how glorious was the king of Israel today; which she spoke in an ironical jeering way, meaning the reverse, how inglorious, mean, and despicable he had made himself to be, by his airs and gestures." (John Gill)  "Proud of her royal extraction, she upbraided her husband for lowering the dignity of the crown and acting more like a buffoon than a king." (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)

Following David and Michal's exchange is a very sad verse, "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death." (2 Samuel 6:23)

 

While I cannot agree with how Michal mocked David, a part of me understands why.  David was in his 20s when they were married.  It is possible that Michal was still a teenager.  A teenager greatly influenced by a father who was filled with hatred.  

We all have the opportunity to choose bitterness when life is difficult.  When I was a child and would tell my mom, "it's not fair!" she always responded with "life isn't fair."  She was right.  Life isn't fair.  We don't always get our way.  Hard times come, but it's how we handle the unfairness of life that determines if we will be bitter or victorious.

Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  At the heart of it all, Michal's problem wasn't that she loved or despised David, but I don't think she ever loved God.  If we keep a love for God in our hearts, then no matter the turns life takes, we can know that it will all work together for our good.

Naomi and Ruth

My Bible reading yesterday and today included the book of Ruth.  It's such a beautiful story.  I studied Naomi and Ruth in 2015 while studying women of the Bible.  You can read my full posts here and here.

I particularly like the commentary on chapter 3, verse 18.  It is one of my favorite verses, beautiful words of wisdom from Naomi, "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."  Elder Morton told me to "sit still" many times as a single young lady.  "Naomi believes that Ruth has won his heart, and that therefore he will not be easy till he knows whether she be his or no. This she gives as a reason why Ruth should sit still and not perplex herself about it, that Boaz had undertaken it, and he would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have good Christians to be careful for nothing, but cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them: and what need have we to care if he do? Sit still, and see how the matter will fall, for the Lord will perfect that which concerns thee, and will make it to work for good to thee. Your strength is to sit still."

 

Matthew Henry wraps it all up very beautifully, "Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; and in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him; even of us Gentiles, as well as those of Jewish descent. She was a witness for God to the Gentile world, that he had not utterly forsaken them, but that in due time they should become one with his chosen people, and partake of his salvation."

 

Two women from completely different backgrounds, found common ground in the God they served. "They say of Ruth that she loved Naomi, and therefore was better to her than seven sons. See how God in his providence sometimes makes up the want and loss of those relations from whom we expected most comfort in those from whom we expected least. The bonds of love prove stronger than those of nature, and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother; so here there was a daughter-in-law better than an own child."  (Matthew Henry)

The Women of Genesis

As I mentioned earlier this week, I finished reading the book of Genesis.  While I was re-reading the account of the beginning of mankind and the nation of Israel, I thought many times of the women in Genesis that I had studied in 2015.  I just re-read each of my posts and thought I'd share the links and a recap of each one here.  (To read the complete posts, clink of the name of each woman.)

Eve

The first lady of humanity, Eve will forever be known as the one who listened to Satan's voice and partook of the fruit that led to the fall of man.  Forget "the devil made me do it." I've said more than once "It's all Eve's fault!"

 

It wasn't until I studied the entire writings about Eve that I had a change of heart towards her.  Yes, she failed to obey the one rule that God gave her.  But somewhere along the way, after losing both Cain and Able, she found the courage to trust that what God said was true.  It was Eve who named the baby Seth in Genesis 4:25.  It was Eve who said God has appointed another seed. One commentary pointed out the use of the word "seed" here instead of "son" or "child." She didn't give up on the promise of God when it seemed the promise died.  That verse contains the final recorded words of Eve.  A woman who had been cursed and banished, trusted in a merciful God to provide the promised seed.  And God did just that, in the man Christ Jesus.

 

Hagar

Although Sarah is introduced in the Bible before Hagar, I studied Hagar first.  Hagar was Sarah and Abraham's "solution" to Sarah's barrenness.  She was not God's solution.  

 

Twice Hagar is on her own.  The first time is after she conceives Ishmael and despises Sarah.  She then flees only to be told by an angel to return and submit.  I think Hagar had the attitude, "I'm sitting down, but I'm standing up on the inside."  She submitted her actions but not her heart.

 

Hagar's lack of submission must have continued and bled into the way she raised Ishmael.  Genesis 17:18 says, "And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!"  Ishmael was thirteen years old at this time, about a year before Isaac was born.  I have to wonder if he was already showing signs of loving the Egyptian ways more than the ways of the God of Abraham.  What was his mother teaching him?  It appears that her influence was greater than Abraham's.

 

The final straw happened when Isaac was weaned in Genesis 21.  The celebration of Isaac's weaning finds Ishmael mocking.  A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown says, "Ishmael was aware of the great change in his prospects, and under the impulse of irritated or resentful feelings, in which he was probably joined by his mother, treated the young heir with derision and probably some violence."  That's a lot stronger than mocking!   These are not the actions of a mother and child who are submissive to their mistress.

 

Matthew Henry's commentary put it this way, "If Hagar and Ishmael had conducted themselves well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they threw themselves out by their own pride and insolence, which were thus justly chastised."

 

Sarah

There is so much that could be said about Sarah, but just go read the entire post!  A couple of key points:

 

Sarah is the example of a submissive wife.  Many chapters in Genesis are devoted to the journeys of Abraham and Sarah.  She started in Ur with him. They traveled nearly 2,000 miles together.  Sarah's submission is significant, because when she does speak up, Abraham listens. 

When it came to Hagar and Ishmael, I believe Sarah had not only a God-given right, but a responsibility to protect her son.  Isaac was the promised seed.  She may have thought that her days were short (although Isaac was 37 when she died.)  She and Abraham would be gone and who would Isaac have to guide him?  His wild, older half-brother.  She had to cut Ishmael's influence out of Isaac's life.  Abraham was partially blinded by his love for his son, Ishmael, but God supported Sarah.  Genesis 21:12 says, "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

 

The Genesis Record says:

It really was not possible for the two families to exist together, and Abraham should follow Sarah’s request, even though it would go against his own personal feelings and would no doubt seem harsh to others around them. Sometimes it is necessary for God’s people, if they are truly going to be in the will of God and to enjoy the fullness of His blessing, to separate completely from those who might be a source of friction and carnality, even though such separation will be difficult and will give others (who don’t understand the spiritual issues involved) occasion to criticize and ridicule.

Rebekah

My post about Rebekah is one of my longer ones.  It's hard to separate Rebekah from Jacob and Esau.  But first we read about the first arranged marriage in the Bible.  One major characteristic of Rebekah was her ability to make quick decisions.  When Abraham's servant urged them to leave immediately (her family wanted her to wait at least ten days) she quickly agreed. "Her decision was right. One should not go ahead of the Lord’s will, but neither should he lag behind, once that will is known."

In chapter 25 we learn that Rebekah has been barren for the first twenty years of their marriage (verse 26).  After Isaac entreated the Lord, "Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger." 

 

This promise from God, that the elder would serve the younger, I believe, played a large role in how the two sons were raised.  I've always been troubled by how Isaac and Rebekah each had favorites.  Verse 28 says, "And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob."

 

When Isaac called Esau to prepare venison so he could bestow the blessing on him, Rebekah heard and took matters into her own hands.  This one act of Rebekah turned their family upside down.  Jacob received the blessing and Esau was furious.   

 

I can only imagine the regret that Rebekah lived with in her latter years.  She never saw Jacob again.  God said "the elder will serve the younger."  She should have trusted that.  She should have believed that even if Isaac gave Esau the blessing, God was still going to accomplish His plan.  The bottom line, deception may accomplish God's plan, but He doesn't need our help!

 

Rachel

I think many of us get a little mad at Rachel because Jacob loved her and not Leah.  The truth is, Rachel suffered too.  For seven years she was promised or "engaged" to Jacob.  But when the day finally came, her father made the decision to hold Rachel back and give Leah to Jacob instead.  Several commentaries agree that Leah was not actually hated, but not loved so much as she ought to have been.  Because of Jacob's preference for Rachel, Leah seems to get more sympathy, in my opinion.

We live in a society that places great importance on beauty and sometimes we try to counter balance that by putting characteristics on beautiful women that aren't true.  We paint them with a brush of pride and meanness that may not be there, while making the less beautiful the kinder person.  Those stereotypes are just that - stereotypes.  I've known beautiful women who were both kind and loving and I've known beautiful women who were mean and spiteful.  I've also known women who would not be considered beautiful by this world's standard that fell in one of these categories. What really matters is "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Proverbs 31:30)

 

Even after Rachel became Jacob's wife, her struggles continued.  She was barren for many years while Leah gave Jacob son after son.  She told Jacob, "Give me children or else I die."  But it wasn't Jacob who caused the barrenness.  It seems that at some point, Rachel finally took her barrenness to the Lord.

 

The name she chose for her son when he was born, Joseph, can be derived both from “Taken Away” and “May He Add,” thus indicating both her thanksgiving and her faith that God would give her yet another son. (The Genesis Record)  "God remembered Rachel,” in the best time for her, after he had taught her the lessons of dependence and patience. “Joseph.” There is a remote allusion to her gratitude for the reproach of barrenness taken away. But there is also hope in the name. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible) 

Leah

It is always difficult to separate Leah from Rachel, their lives were so entwined.  It's interesting how we interpret what is said about Leah's appearance. The Genesis Record says, "Since they were sisters, however, there must have been a considerable family resemblance between them, so that Leah could not have been too homely. The only specific weakness that is mentioned is that she was “tender-eyed.”"

There were different opinions on Leah being "tender eyed."  One said that her eyes were the only thing attractive about her.  I found it interesting that one commentary pointed out Leah being tender eyed meant she had soft blue eyes - thought a blemish.  I'm glad Les doesn't think that way!

 

No one ever likes to be second place, but that was certainly what happened to Leah.  She was not Jacob's wife by choice.  Leah gave her sons names that reflected how she was feeling at the time of their birth.  The Genesis Record says, "She acknowledged that her sons were given by the Lord in response to her prayers and her difficult position in the home. The fourth of her sons, Judah, was the only one whose name did not reflect her own personal situation, his name being a simple expression of praise to God. It is perhaps significant that this is the one through whom God intended one day to bring the Messiah into the world." Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "It is remarkable that the wife of priority, but not of preference, is the mother of the seed in whom all nations are to be blessed."

 

There is a final sad story in the life of Leah which takes us to her daughter, Dinah...

 

Dinah 

Dinah's story leaves me so sad.  The daughter of Jacob and Leah, granddaughter of Isaac and Rebekah, great granddaughter of Abraham and Sarah.  What a family lineage!  But Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land.  Her pretense was to see the daughters of the land, to see how they dressed, and how they danced, and what was fashionable among them. She went to see, yet that was not all, she went to be seen too; she went to see the daughters of the land, but, it may be, with some thoughts of the sons of the land too.

Her curiosity about things outside the safety of her family set in motion great tragedy.  She was raped by Shechem.  This lead to revenge.  Two of her brothers, Simeon and Levi, set a plan in motion that would allow them to kill all the men of the city.

Seven years after studying Dinah, I still think of her with sadness.  We never read another word about her.  We don't know how she spent the rest of her life.  Did you marry?  Have children?  The Bible is completely silent about Dinah from that point on.

Tamar

I did not study Tamar with the other women of Genesis.  She is one of four women named in Matthew chapter one in the direct lineage of Christ.  Her story is so unusual.  She married Judah's oldest son, Er.  Er was wicked and God slew him.  Tamar was then given to Judah's second son who was also slain by God.  You have to ask, "Judah, what kind of sons are you raising?"

Judah then put a restriction on Tamar, "Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown."  "She could not marry in any other family so long as Judah would retain her in his." (1599 Geneva Bible Translation Notes)

 

We don't know how long Tamar waited, but Judah never offered his third son to her.  She finally took matters into her own hand.  She pretended to be a prostitute and Judah walked right into her trap.  When he found out about it three months later he was quick to judge her and demand she be put to death.  Judah changed his tune pretty quickly when he realized he was the other guilty party.

 

We read the words "scarlet thread" for the first time in the Bible when Tamar is giving birth to her twin sons.  It is that scarlet thread of redemption that we see throughout the Bible and Tamar, a woman not born into the nation of Israel, is part of that thread that links Jesus Christ to Abraham.

We don't read anymore of Tamar.  Most commentaries agree that Judah provided for her but he did not marry her  In spite of her background and her sins, she is still named in the genealogy of Jesus.

A Mother in Israel ~ Woman of the Week

Les and I got our second dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine last week.  So many people warned us that the second dose would make us sick and they were right!  We both felt off for a couple of days, the biggest issue for me was a headache.  Having a headache while trying to study and write just doesn't work for me.  We've been fine for several days, but life got busy, so here she is now.

 

Verses:  2 Samuel 20:16-22

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

We don't know anything about this woman's family or background.  We don't even know her name, but she made a difference.  Her story is found during the reign of King David.  After his son Absalom's rebellion and death, the tribe of Judah brought David back to Jerusalem.  The other tribes, who had followed Absalom, were angry that they were not included in David's return.  2 Samuel 20:1-2 says, "And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem."  Joab pursued Sheba, going through the tribes of Israel to find him.  Verse 15 tells us that he was found "in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down."  It is in the following verse that we first meet this wise woman.

 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

We first read of some women in the Bible just as they hit the point of reset.  That is the case with this wise mother in Israel.  While her city was under attack, she didn't run and hide, but she marched forward.  In verse 19 she cried out to Joab and once she had his attention she said, "I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? "

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible said,

"Her meaning is, that she was of a city which consisted of peaceable and faithful men, that were peaceable among themselves, and faithful to their king, who never were concerned in any insurrection or rebellion, not in the late one under Absalom:"

After Joab explains his mission in verse 21, "deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall."  There was no hesitation on her part.  "She knew the fright the inhabitants of the city were in, and how disposed they were to do anything to save their city; she knew what influence she had among them, and how weak Sheba's party was, and therefore could assure Joab that this should be done."  (John Gill)

I love what verse 22 says, "Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom."  "Made so wise a speech to them, and represented things in such a light, and so prudently conducted, that they unanimously agreed to her motion"  (John Gill)

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats?  How can I be like her?  How can I avoid being like her?

This story could have had a very different ending had this wise woman kept silent.  She spoke up to Joab and she spoke up to the people.  She prevented much bloodshed by keeping calm and facing Joab.  "This wise woman, by her intervention, saved many lives, and reminds us of the value of presence of mind in a great crisis." (A Devotional Commentary by F. B. Meyer, B.A.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible said,

"Her treaty with Joab, and her capitulation with him, by which he is engaged to raise the siege, upon condition that Sheba be delivered up. It seems, none of all the men of Abel, none of the elders or magistrates, offered to treat with Joab, no, not when they were reduced to the last extremity. They were stupid and unconcerned for the public safety, or they stood in awe of Sheba, or they despaired of gaining any good terms with Joab, or they had not sense enough to manage the treaty. But this one woman and her wisdom saved the city."