Who Me?
Written by Charlyne Marsh (5/1999)
When Patty asked me to teach, my first reaction was to say NO…but then I got to thinking…Who Me? Why not me?
I was much younger when the women’s rights movement started. I wasn’t affected by it until my daughter left the church and later on talked about women’s rights. I knew what the Bible says and I also knew that some of the things that she said made sense. I studied and pondered over it until finally, one day, I realized where the problem was. I was listening to the way humans equate greatness. We tend to consider greatness as how much money or how much power a person has. Remember the poor widow in Mark 12:42-44. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue and watching people put money in the treasury 42 and a poor widow came in and put in 2 small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43 And calling His disciples to him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44 for they put in out of their surplus, but she put in all that she owned, all she had to live on.”
Jesus was telling about how special this widow was. So everyone who reads this knows how special she was. A denarius is worth 16 cents – her two copper coins were worth 1 cent – she put in 1/16 of a day’s wages, which was all that she had!
According to the way the world would rate people, most of the good women in the Bible were insignificant – but to God they were very significant! They were women of dedication and courage.
And then I began to consider my responsibility as an older woman. God commands the older women to teach younger women. (Titus 2:3-4) the older women, likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things; 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
I found myself needing courage. And I was reminded of Abigail. Now, at this time, David was running from Saul. He heard that Nabal was in Carmel sheering his sheep. He sent men to request food and water. When the men came to Carmel, they told Nabal that David’s men had not insulted them nor stolen from them and to please give whatever food and drink that he had. Nabal refused and said, “Who is David? Shall I take my bread and water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” When they told David what Nabal said, David told 400 of his men to put on their swords. One of the men went to Abigail and told what was happening.
(I Sam 25:18-20) Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19And she said to her servants, “Go on before me; see, I am coming after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. 20So it was, as she rode on the donkey, that she went down under cover of the hill; and there were David and his men, coming down toward her, and she met them. (I Sam 25:23 -25) When Abigail saw David she dismounted and bowed to the ground 24 and said “on me alone, my lord be the blame. 25 Please do not let my lord pay attention to this worthless man, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. And now, let this gift, which your maidservant has brought to my lord, be given to the young men.”
(I Sam 25:32-35) Then David said to Abigail: “Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 “And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. 34 “For indeed, as the LORD God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hastened and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!” 35 So David received from her hand what she had brought him, and said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have heeded your voice and respected your person.”
Abigail was a remarkable woman! Even though she was married to a horrible man, she still made her life count for something. She was caring, concerned and a self-starter. She took responsibility for a task that she felt was important. Being aware of what needs to be done…going forth and doing it. Courage means getting outside your comfort zone. Letting someone else’s life or example stop you from doing God’s work is an excuse, but not acceptable.
So, here I am teaching a class in an effort to grow myself and do what needs to be done. And I recognize, it is often the small things that God sees as great…and often made mention of women for these small things in His word.
Consider the widow Zarephath. (I Kings 17:9-16) Elijah was told to “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and son. 14 “For thus Says the LORD God of Israel; “The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah.
Here we see a woman who did a small thing by our standards; she baked a cake….But look at the bigger picture. She trusted and had faith, and was willing to sacrifice everything she had to eat, not knowing for sure that there would be more.
Isn’t it interesting how God uses us in ways that we don’t understand, that seem small and insignificant, and supplies us with what we need for doing his will?
God will provide what we need. (Mat 6:31-34) “Therefore do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Learn to do what God asks of you. He will take care of your needs. It’s a promise!
Can anyone tell a story of something they did out of faith that it was what God wanted them to do, and the outcome was better than expected?
Sacrifice…what do we really sacrifice for others?
My sharing with you tonight is small in comparison to the widow of Zarephath’s sharing. But what I hope to teach you is that even the smallest of things can make a difference to someone else. Sometimes we do big things that impact the lives and well being of others. Let’s consider Jezebel…
(I Kings 18:4) For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water.
(I Kings 21:1-16) And it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth saying, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near, next to my house; and for it I will give you a vineyard better than it. Or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its worth in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” 4 So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken unto him; for he had said “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food. 5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said to him, “Why is your spirit so sullen that you eat no food?” 6 He said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite, and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it pleases you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard’” 7 Then Jezebel his wife said to him, “you now exercise authority over Israel! Arise, eat food, and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” 8 And she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters to the elders and the nobles who were dwelling in the city with Naboth. 9 She wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and seat Naboth with high honor among the people; 10 and seat two men, scoundrels, before him to bear witness against him, saying “You have blasphemed God and the king.” Then take him out, and stone him, that he may die. 11 So the men of his city, the elders and nobles who were inhabitants of his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them, just as it was written in the letters which she had sent to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast, and seated Naboth with high honor among the people. 13 And two men, scoundrels came in and sat before him; and the scoundrels witnessed against him, against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth has blasphemed God and the king!” Then they took him outside the city and stoned him with stones, so that he died. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned and is dead.” 15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money; for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 16 So it was, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab got up and went down to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
(I Kings 21:23-25) And concerning Jezebel, the LORD also spoke, saying, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.” 24 The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field.” 25 But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up.
In II Kings 9:32-25 it tells of Jezebel’s death – just as the Lord said it would happen. It’s easy to use our energy in a destructive way.
Look at what Jezebel did…she killed, she lied, she encouraged hateful deeds. She was power hungry. A control freak!
Why do we do the things we do? To be noticed? To have the upper hand? When our thoughts are greed or self centered, we too, like Jezebel, could be worthy of mention by God!!!
There are those of the Bible who we are all well aware of like Mary and…consider what she did. She was single and became pregnant! Imagine how she was treated. Fearful, embarrassed, afraid of being stoned, losing Joseph, ridiculed, chosen to have God’s son. An awesome responsibility!
Her energy was used for good and for God…not for SELF.
Sometimes we can do things that are gracious and loving that we probably don’t have to do, but compassion and God can lead the way. Let’s consider the young girl from the land of Israel. (II Kings 5:1-14) A young Jewish girl had been captured and was a servant to Naaman’s wife. Naaman had leprosy. The young girl told Naaman’s wife that she wished that Naaman was with the prophet in Samaria. He would cure him of leprosy. Naaman’s wife told Naaman what the little girl had said. The king or Aram sent Naaman to the king of Israel along with a letter. The letter requested that he be cured of the leprosy. The king tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and make alive…this man is sending word to me to cure a man of leprosy. But consider now and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me”. When Elisha heard about this, he sent work to the king to send Naaman to him and the king would know that there is a prophet in Israel. Naaman went to the doorway of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent word to him to wash 7 times in the Jordan and his flesh would be restored. Naaman was furious. He went away – said “I thought he would come to me, call on the name of God, wave his hand over the place and cure me of leprosy.” Then his servants came to him and said “My father, if he had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you ‘Wash and be clean?” So Naaman went and dipped 7 times in the Jordan and was cured!
Naaman didn’t want to wash in the muddy Jordan. He wanted to be sent to a place that was clean!
Just a little servant girl, could have wallowed in pity but instead, did the best for her master. Her deed lead to his cure.
Our life’s circumstances may be out of our control, but what we do within our control is what makes the difference to those around us. Can you make a better day for your husband? Children? Boss?
Our God tells us lots of things to make our lives better and to make the lives of others better. But is our attitude like that of Naaman? Why is it we moan and groan so much about doing the things that are good for us? But in the day of Judgement, don’t we all want to hear “well done they good and faithful servant?”
Life is what we make it. Happy, sad, worth mentioning, easily forgotten.
We made choices in life. To do, or not to do. Sometimes you want to do things that pull at your heartstrings and emotions. But remember our choice can make a profound impact on us or someone else. We never know what God has in mind. Consider Ruth…
A man from Bethlehem together with his wife and two sons went to live in Moab because there was a famine in the land. They were Elimelech and Naomi, Mahlon and Chilion; Naomi’s husband died. Her two sons married Moabite women; Orpah and Ruth. After 10 years both sons died. Naomi heard that there was now food in Bethlehem. Naomi decided to go home. She told her daughter-in-laws to return to their mothers’ home. She wished them well and said, “May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Orpah kissed her mother-in-law but Ruth was determined to go with her mother-in-law.
Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Ruth went into the fields to pick any grain that were left over. Boaz saw her and asked who she was, and was told that she was the Moabitess who came back with Naomi. Boaz told her to stay in his field, not to go to any other, that he had told the men not to touch her, and, for her to get a drink from the water jars when she was thirsty. Ruth asked him why she had found favor in his eyes when she was a foreigner. Boaz replied that he had been told about what she had done for her mother-in-law, and how she had left her own land to come and live with people she did not know. Boaz went to the next of kin and told him that Naomi was selling the piece of land that belonged to Elimelech and if he bought it that he would also acquire the dead man’s widow. Boaz told him that if he didn’t buy the land that he (Boaz) would. The next of kin declined, so Boaz took Ruth as his wife. The child of Boaz and Ruth was the grandfather of David and therefore in the lineage of Christ.
Ruth did for her mother-in-law what was in the mother-in-law’s best interest. Boaz saw the good (beauty) in her and took her for his wife. Doing what is good is often unrewarded, until judgement, but in this case, Ruth acquired a husband because of her unselfish love for another.
The old saying that beauty is only skin deep is much truer that we think. Here we find what beauty is and that it should be heart deep. It can and should be the very center of our being. Our heart…where is it located? And how important is it? And how do we use it to make decisions?
How many of us treat our mothers-in-law as Ruth did?
What to you is important about this relationship and its example for us today?
Sometimes our human attitudes get in our way. I know that I have heard women say that they felt less than equal to men because the men have the more important responsibilities…preaching, leading the household, being elders, etc.
Esther
Esther had been raised by Mordecai, a minor official of the palace of Persia. After the banishment of Queen Vashti, she was chosen to be the wife of King Xerxes. Haman, who had been given a seat of honor higher than all the other officials became insulted when Mordecai refused to kneel before him. Haman went to the king and told him that there were certain people who kept themselves separate and did not obey the king’s orders. He asked for permission to destroy them and was given permission. The orders were written and sealed with the king’s seal, which meant that it could not be revoked. This was dispatched to all the provinces, that on the 13th day of Adar (the 12th month of the Babylonian calendar) all the Jews including children were to be killed. When Mordecai learned of it he put on sackcloth and ashes and went into the city, up to the king’s gate, wailing loudly. When Esther was told about it she sent someone to find out why he was mourning. Mordecai told him what was to happen and sent her a copy of the edict. He also sent word for her to go into the king’s presence and beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Esther sent back word that all the officials and the people of the province know that anyone going into the inner court to approach the king without being summoned would be put to death, unless the king extends his gold scepter to him. Mordecai sent back this answer: (Esther 4:13-14 NKJV) And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. 14 “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
She asked for all the Jews to fast for 3 days and nights, including her and her maids and that after that she would go. And she said, “if I perish, I perish.” Esther did go into the king, he held out to her the gold scepter. Because of her courage and love for God and her people the Jews were saved from death. Haman did not fare as well. He was hanged on the gallows that he had built for Mordecai. Mordecai was given the favor that Haman had been given.
To me Esther was one of the most courageous women of the Bible. Her parents were dead; she was raised by a cousin and was put in a very dangerous position. But, she had the courage to do what was right even though she might be killed.
Here are some verses from the Bible indicating our responsibility as Christians.
For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
Ephesians 6:7-9
With good will render service, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.
Isaiah 64:8
And now Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter and all of us are the works of your hands.
Woe to him who strives with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to the one who forms it, What are you making? Or shall your handiwork say He has no hands.
Ephesians 5:22-24
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 that they may encourage the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children,5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.
I Cor. 11:3
But I want you to understand that Christ is head of every man, and the man is head of a woman, and God is head of Christ.
I Tim 2:9-15
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; 10 but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness. 11 Let a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity and self-restraint.
Therefore I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house and give the enemy no occasion for reproach.
In closing, these are the things that I hope we will have learned and will take with us:
1. to be a Christian we must want to please God, not mankind
2. we need to have the courage to do whatever we are capable of doing
3. we must be good examples wherever we are and to whomever we are with
4. we must be willing to teach in any situation that we are capable of, whether it is in a class or with a friend
5. we need to trust that God will do what He has promised and to have the courage to wait
6. we need to study! Study! Study! If we don’t know it we can’t teach it!
7. We need to take responsibility and not think “we’ll someone else will do it”
8. We need to realize what our priorities are
9. We need to pray a lot. God has promised us that he will hear us and answer our prayers but not always the way we want – the way He knows best.
10. And last, we need to realize that this is one “job” that we do not retire from – that until our last breath we need to do whatever we can as a Christian.