WOMEN OF COURAGE

rahab 2Rahab – Deborah –Huldah – Lydia – Dorcas

March 17, 2013

  1. Rahab – Joshua 2:1-21; 6:17-25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31 James 2:25 Her Sorrow:   To see her own people destroyed and her city demolished.

 

Jericho may be the world’s oldest city.  Established nearly six (6) thousand years before Miriam and Moses completed their desert wanderings, its ruins can be found just seventeen miles northeast of Jerusalem.  It was the “Gateway” to Canaan, the Promised Land; it was also the home of a prostitute named Rahab, whose house nestled snugly into its thick surrounding walls.  She is the only woman singled out by name and commended for her faith as part of the great “cloud of witnesses” mentioned in the book of Hebrews.  A prostitute living in the midst of an idolatrous people, Rahab was like a brand plucked from the fire.  Her own people destroyed, she left everything behind, becoming an ancestor of King David and, therefore, one of Jesus’ ancestors as well.

The story of Rahab reveals again God’s willingness to use the less than perfect, the outcast, what we might see as the unsuitable to accomplish his holy purposes.  Throughout Scripture, with what can almost be seen as divine humor, God chooses a stutterer to speak for him (Moses), a weakling to defend him (Gideon), an infertile woman to be mother of a nation (Sarah), a forgettable youngest son to be the most unforgettable king of his people (David), an unknown youngster to be the mother of his son (Mary), and a persecutor to take the gospel to the nations (Paul). 

 

  1. Deborah – Judges 4-5 Her Sorrow:                        That her people had sunk into despair because of their idolatry, forgetting God’s promises and the faith of their ancestors.

Jericho, had lain in ruins for two hundred years.  From there, the Israelites had swept across the country like a storm of locusts, devouring everything in their path.  But the native peoples had somehow managed to survive, and like well-rooted weeds, their idolatry spread until it began to strangle Israel’s faith.     The slaves-turned-warriors were once again underdogs, oppressed for twenty years by a coalition of Canaanite rulers, whose chief warrior was Sisera.          Deborah was a prophetess who held court under a palm tree several miles northwest of Jericho.  Much of Israel was divided and dispirited but, she refused to lose heart.

Indeed, a mother in Israel had arisen, a woman whose strong faith gave birth to hope and freedom and a peace that lasted forty years.  Deborah arose and called the people to battle, leading them out of idolatry and restoring their dignity as God’s chosen ones.

Scripture describes Deborah as “a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth.”   But, interestingly, when Deborah described herself, she didn’t use terms like prophet or wife or judge or general or leader or any other term of influence and power.  She described herself as “a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7).

 

  1. Dorcas (Tabitha) – Acts 9:36

Tabitha, or Dorcas, is the only woman in Scripture to be honored with the designation of disciple.  The presence of women in groups of disciples is implied at times, but Dorcas is the only woman specifically called a disciple.  A disciple is first of all a learner, a pupil.  Second, a disciple is a follower.

 

  1. Huldah – 2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-33 Her Sorrow:                        That God’s people refused to respond to him with loving obedience, ignoring repeated warnings about the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Huldah is one of only four women with an authentic prophetic ministry mentioned in the Old Testament (along with Miriam, Deborah, and Isaiah’s wife).  Though prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah were also active at the time, King Josiah consulted Huldah about the amazing discovery of the Book of the Law (material that probably forms the core of the book of Deuteronomy).  The bible doesn’t go into great length about Huldah, only that God entrusted her with his word in a time of national crises.                After Huldah’s prophecy, Josiah led one of the greatest religious reforms in history, purging Judah and even parts of Israel of paganism.

53 thoughts on “WOMEN OF COURAGE

  1. Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  2. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but instead of that, this is magnificent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

  3. I have to show thanks to the writer for rescuing me from this particular problem. Right after scouting through the the web and seeing things that were not helpful, I was thinking my entire life was gone. Living devoid of the approaches to the issues you have sorted out by means of your good site is a crucial case, and ones that could have adversely affected my career if I had not come across your blog. The skills and kindness in touching every item was helpful. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a step like this. It’s possible to at this moment look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for the expert and sensible help. I will not think twice to endorse your web blog to any individual who needs recommendations about this issue.

  4. Due to obtaining much articles and other content do you encounter pretty much any dilemmas of plagorism as well as copyright infringement? My website has numerous original unique content I’ve also formulated professionally or contracted nevertheless looks like a variety of it is definitely showing lower all over the internet without my commitment. Do you know any type of easily safeguard in opposition to article content via being stolen? I’d extremely appreciate it.

    1. I haven’t encountered any issues with Plagiarism since most of what I write on are from ancient documents that I put in my own words and style. As long as you don’t copy and paste, or copy word for word (phrases or paragraphs), you should be fine. Most of my writings (excluding poems) come from bible studies that I do.

  5. Make even more, how pretty much all Need to declare. In a literal sense, if feels like anyone relied on it to make your idea. That you easily realize what you’re making reference to, the key reason why waste products your own brains on the subject of just simply uploading videos for the blog website as you could be imparting individuals everything good to enjoy a book?

  6. Appreciating the tough operate a person for your internet site and then more information you offer. It’s useful for discover a blog occasionally that is one isn’t the usual spun details. Superb study! I’ve protected your web sites together with I’m bringing your Nourishes to my own Google account.

  7. Howdy would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a
    hard time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S My apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  8. I like just what you blokes can be all the way up excessively. A real ingenious succeed and additionally exposure to it! Keep pace the actual great succeeds men I’ve built-in you to blogroll.

  9. For starters I plan to point out great blogging site! I needed quick questions the fact that I’d want to inquire if one don’t your thoughts. I’d been inquiring to figure out how you center one self in addition to evident your head previous to authoring. I’ve had a hard time repairing my mind to get my thoughts out there. I really undertake get pleasure from coming up with it also precisely looks like the pioneer Ten or fifteen moments are typically misused simply racking your brains on how to begin. Virtually any ideas or suggestions? Web site!

    1. Solitude is important for any writer, especially if you are interested in writing books. You will need time alone to gather your thoughts, and to meditate on putting your words in the right order.

  10. I’ve felt a numerous methods to have enjoyment from grand slam Roland Garros presently like read the websites hyperlinked. Every one of these webpages offer wonderful data relating to the French Open. Nonetheless links commonly are not functioning nowadays. How does someone keep an eye on tennis on laptop? Any of us here to support?

  11. I presume this is definitely probably the most paramount guidance in my position. And then i’m thrilled studying your document. But yet will want to opinion at handful of all round important things, This website manner is perfect, a article content is basically wonderful.

  12. Hello! I really wish to offer you a big thumbs up for the great information you may have got here on this post.
    I am going back to your web site for additional soon.

  13. It’s really a cool and useful component of info.
    I’m satisfied which you shared this helpful information along with us.
    Please keep us informed this way. Thanks for sharing.

  14. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with the website in web explorer, may test this?
    IE nonetheless is definitely the marketplace chief and a big component
    to other people will miss your fantastic writing because of this challenge.

  15. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
    for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is
    excellent, as well as the content!

  16. I’ll immediately take your hands on your rss while i simply cannot to find your e-mail
    subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any?

    Kindly let me recognize as a way that I may just subscribe.
    Thanks.

  17. I have got been exploring for a bit for virtually any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this form of area .
    Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately came across this site. Studying this information So i am satisfied
    to show that I’ve an incredibly perfect uncanny feeling
    I came upon just what I needed. I a whole lot certainly
    is likely to make certain to don?t overlook this site and present it a glance regularly.

Leave a Reply to Nate Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.