adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, volume 4/pp51-52
Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 24: 1-21
The day and time were different in the days of Abraham. Parents often, if not typically, chose not only who their child would marry, but purposefully arranged for them to marry within the same family line.1 This is where our journey through Rebekah’s story opens. Abraham, described as a “very old man” now, is making arrangements with his oldest servant, Eliezar, who was in charge of his household, to make arrangements for Isaac to marry a relative from their homeland2 and not a Canaanite woman.
Abraham was now a very old man, and the Lord had blessed him in every way.2 One day Abraham said to his oldest servant, the man in charge of his household, ‘Take an oath by putting your hand under my thigh. 3 Swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and earth, that you will not allow my son to marry one of these local Canaanite women. 4 Go instead to my homeland, to my relatives, and find a wife there for my son Isaac.’ Genesis 24:1-4
Eliezar has a few questions, but in the end, he promises to do as Abraham has requested. Abraham assures him that God will send an angel to help him. Scripture says that the servant went to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor had settled. He made the camels kneel beside a well just outside the town. It was evening, and the women were coming out to draw water. So he stops to pray a very specific prayer, saying:
O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,’ he prayed. ‘Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. 13 See, I am standing here beside this spring, and the young women of the town are coming out to draw water. 14 This is my request. I will ask one of them, ‘Please give me a drink from your jug.’ If she says, ‘Yes, have a drink, and I will water your camels, too!’ — let her be the one you have selected as Isaac’s wife. This is how I will know that you have shown unfailing love to my master.’ Genesis 24:12-14
Have you ever prayed for God to show you something in such a specific way? While our journey’s focus is on Rebekah and not Abraham or Eliezar, I can’t help but stop and focus just briefly on this prayer of Eliezar. It is a prayer that God has used through the years to teach me how to pray specifically. It is also a vivid reminder that God’s gift of prayer is an opportunity for us to talk to Him, not just thanking Him for things He has already done (though that is important), but casting our cares on Him, pouring out our hearts to Him, and yes, asking Him for things we need.
Specific prayers build a more personal relationship with God and enrich our prayer life with trust, confident boldness, and joy. ~Me, from the inside-out
Before he had finished praying, he saw a young woman named Rebekah coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham’s brother Nahor and his wife, Milcah. ~Genesis 24:15
Rebekah serves as an example that the LORD has a purpose appointed just for us💜
She, Volume 4, p52
Don’t you just love it? Before the servant had finished praying, a daughter from the tribe of Abraham was coming out with her water jug on her shoulder. Whether there were others there at the same time is not clear, but we do know that Rebekah is the one he saw and that she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up again. When she did, he ran to meet her, saying: “Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.”
Little did Rebekah know it, but with the water jug on her shoulder (most likely, like every other day), she was prepared for what God had planned for her today. Her life was about to change as God was answering the specific prayer of Abraham’s servant for the provision of a wife for Isaac and clear direction as to who that should be.
She was prepared for what God had planned for her.
She, Volume 4, p51
Tomorrow’s journey will reveal more details on God’s answer to Eliezar, the beauty and benefit of praying specifically, and Rebekah’s response to what Eliezar was seeking. Today, let’s rest in the beauty and comfort that come from knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, but also a desire to make His way known to us. May we learn from Eliezar to pray specifically and watch for God to answer.
The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you.
adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, volume 4/pp95-96
Today’s Scripture Reading: Luke 13:10-17 and Romans 5:20
The women with a spirit of infimity serves as an example of what Christ has brought us from.
She, volume 4/p96
He Touched Me
Since I’ve met this blessed Savior Since He’s cleansed and made me whole Oh, I will never cease to praise Him I’ll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me And oh, the joy that floods my soul Something happened, and now I know He touched me ~ and made me whole
Shackled by a heavy burden ‘Neath a load of guilt and shame Then the hand of Jesus touched me And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched me And oh, the joy that floods my soul Something happened, and now I know He touched me ~ and made me whole
I do not remember how old I was, but I do remember where I was and who I was with when I first remember hearing this song. I was most likely between the ages of 10 and 12, sitting on the piano bench with my grandmother while she was playing and singing. Whether it was her singing or her playing that caused the song to grab my attention and my heart, I do not know – I only know that it captivated me. Little did I know just how much it would define my life and soul until nearly two decades later, when Jesus began calling/leading me out of “the wilderness”… out of the muck and mire of my own load of guilt and shame of sin that ensnared me. Bill Gaither could have written no truer words to describe this time/season of my life than the ones he penned in the chorus of this song: “Something wonderful happened, and now I know – He touched me and made me whole.”
One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, 11 he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!” 13 Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God!
Luke 13:10-13 NLT
Needless to say, I can so imagine this woman with the infirmity hearing Jesus call her to come, and how she must have felt when she heard the words of healing and experienced the compassion that followed: ‘Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!’ “Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight!”Can you just imagine how she must have felt? Oh, the joy that must have flooded her soul! For not only had Jesus seen her, but He called her to Him, spoke healing over her, and then He touched her and made her whole! She was no longer crippled and bound by the power of the demon, but set free ~ standing straight and glorifying God.”
… And now I am no longer the same
Friends, as today’s study journal points out, “We were all bound in sin before we met Jesus.” I’m here to tell you, sadly from experience, we must be careful after we meet Him, lest we become caught up in those chains again. This is why Paul warns believers to “be alert, because our enemy, the devil, prowls around looking for someone to devour.” Satan can never take us from God, but he wants nothing more than to cripple us, binding us up in the mindset and chains of this world. Remember, though, when we belong to Jesus, we have been set free from the chains of sin and death, and Satan no longer has authority over us.
Satan has no authority here in this place; he has no authority here! For this habitation was fashioned by the Lord, and He has all authority here 💜
Reflection and Application
How many years was the woman “bound together”? (Luke 13:11)
In His rebuttal to the angry ruler of the synagogue, commentator David Guzik writes, “Jesus did not respond with gentleness.” Instead, He called the ruler a “Hypocrite!” Guzik continues, “With authority, Jesus confronted the ruler of the synagogue who valued extreme extensions of Biblical commands more than the compassionate and life-changing power of Jesus to heal a long-afflicted woman.”
The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound; think of it; for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
(Luke 13:15-17)
“Jesus gave several compelling reasons why it was appropriate to show her mercy, and more appropriate than helping a distressed animal.” The first two reasons centered on the ruler himself:
Hypocrite! “Jesus did not respond with gentleness,” but “With authority he confronted the ruler of the synagogue who valued extreme extensions of Biblical commands more than the compassionate and life-changing power of Jesus to heal a long-afflicted woman.”
i. “Thou hypocrite to pretend zeal for God’s glory, when it is only the workings of thy malicious, unfeeling, and uncharitable heart.” (Clarke)
b. Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? Jesus’ reply was simple. If you can help an animal on the Sabbath, why can’t you also help a suffering person on the Sabbath?
…and then the last four, in compassionate defense of the woman:
· She was a woman – made in the image of God and now long-afflicted
· She was a daughter of Abraham, a Jewish woman, with a covenant connection to Abraham. This may also indicate that she was a woman of faith, as well as her attendance at synagogue.
· She was one whom Satan had bound, and every day is a good day to oppose the work of Satan and to set free his captives.
· She was afflicted for eighteen years, long enough to suffer greatly and to draw forth the compassion of Jesus and others.
Adapted from the study, She, delighting in the women of the Bible, Volume 4/pp89-90
Today’s Scripture for the Journey: 2 Kings 4:1-7
I read this and found myself so sorrowful for the widow. Death had robbed her of her husband, and now, because of her financial situation, a creditor was coming to take her two sons. Thankfully she sought godly wisdom The second book of Kings records that she spoke to Elisha concerning the situation, and his response ended in a miracle of abundant provision. It is important for us to note that Elisha didn’t simply speak to her about one jar of oil and make it many; instead, he prompted the widow to exercise her faith and borrow more vessels from her neighbors. I can’t help but wonder if she was confused at his instruction, for she had told him she had only one container of oil and nothing else, yet Elisha was telling her to get more vessels, empty vessels, and pour out what she had into them, and to keep on pouring until they were full and set them aside.
Friends, we do not read that she questioned him, or that she doubted him, or that she looked to someone else for a different answer; instead, we read that she did what he said to do. As confusing or crazy as it may have seemed to her – she acted in faith and obedience and was richly blessed – not only her but her sons too.
“Sheleft him and did as he said to do, and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told Elisha. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”
From one vessel of oil and from faith that caused her to act in obeidience and borrow more vessels, to pouring out what she thought was the last of her oil, the oil continued to flow until all of the vessels were full. They were not only full but there was encough oil now in all of the vessels to not only pay off the creditors and save her sons from being taken away, but there was enough left over to live on. Oh, the goodness, the absolute goodness of our God that allowed her to see Him provide exactly what she needed!
This is our God! This is what He does ~This is our God, this is who He is, He loves us, This is our God, this is what He does ~ He saves us… 1He meets us right where we are, and provides exactly what we need.
Reflection and Application
David Guzik points out that “Elisha made this woman commit herself in faith to God’s provision.” Borrowing a container from your neighbor may not seem like a big deal to us, but Guzik goes on to explain that for her “to borrow vessels in this manner would have invited awkward questions, but she did as the word of God through His prophet commanded her.” Because she did, her faith was well rewarded, and now stands as an example for us to remember that God can and does provide exactly what we need.
How have you seen the Lord provide for you before?
“God’s miracles are designed to work with our faith and effort, not to excuse our faithfulness. When we cooperate with God’s direction through obedience and trust, we position ourselves to receive His abundant provision beyond what we ask.” A summary of Guzik’s commentary
The More We Know
David Guzik emphasizes how Elisha’s miracles required those he was helping to have active faith – alongside God’s power.
I knew that the Queen of Sheba was in the Bible, but she is another of the women I don’t remember hearing much about or studying. However, after spending some time reading through 1 Kings 10, where we find the largest part of her limited story, I am both inspired and convicted by her. While it isn’t an extensive story, it is evident in the few details we are given that she is meant to be an example of how we should seek the Lord diligently and with determination to know all that we can about Him, and also the encouraging hope that when we do, we will find Him.
The Queen of Sheba, according to the biblical narrative, was a woman of great wealth, beauty, and power. Sheba, believed to be either in Ethiopia or Yemen by most biblical scholars, was a well-established city, and, although there is little evidence outside the Bible as to the nature of the monarchy and how it was established, it is clear that the Queen of Sheba ruled alone and was not enamored with the religions in her own land. ~Gotquestions.org
As the story goes, when the queen heard of Solomon’s fame, she also heard of the fame of the LORD. Her interest was more than mere curiosity. So great and serious was her interest in Solomon and his relationship to the LORD that it is said she traveled over 1500 miles to Jerusalem so that she could not only meet him but also question him with “hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1). I love that God’s Word makes it clear that Solomon was not offended or angered by her questions, but without offense or difficulty answered them all. She was more than impressed with Solomon’s answers and all that she saw, as the author of 1 Kings writes, “she was overwhelmed,” or as one translation puts it and David Guzik explains, “She was left breathless 3 by not just Solomon’s wealth, but the happiness, organization, and wisdom of the people he governed.” [1]
She set the bar high ~ leaving us to ask: Do we to such great lengths and search with such great diligence to know the King of kings? Do we long to know His wisdom, greatness, and verify the truths of what we’ve heard?
mefromthensideout
As short as her story is in 1 Kings, a total of a mere 13 verses, she is mentioned again by Jesus in the New Testament, although He refers to her as “Queen of the South” (Matthew 12:42; Luke 11:31). He uses her as an object lesson to “illustrate the point that despite being originally pagan in belief and Gentile in race, the Queen of Sheba recognized the truth and reality of Gosd unlike the religious leader who opposed Jesus. As such, they would be condemned for their ignorant and defiant nature. 4
Reflection and Application
Gotquestions.org suggests that “two lessons can be learned from the story of the Queen of Sheba. First, like King Solomon, believers are to show evidence of God’s favor in their lives, whatever their role, profession, or environment. Second, the reputation of believers should precede them by their godly words and actions, for we are ‘Christ’s ambassadors'” (2 Corinthians 5:20). However, I would offer a third and very valuable lesson to that list. We should seek the Lord diligently and with determination. More specifically, we should make every effort to know all about Him, giving persistent attention to His words, imitating His actions, studying His likes and dislikes, and living accordingly. Like the queen, we should also seek/listen to the wisdom of others who know Him, asking the hard questions, pressing in to understand and know the truths concerning Him. When we pursue Him with such audacity, not only will we find Him, but like the Queen of Sheba, we will discover that He is far greater than we could have even imagined.
Jesus himself used the Queen of Sheba as an example of a seeker (Matthew 12:42), challenging later generations to seek Him with at least the same determination she showed in seeking Solomon. (AI overview of David Guzik’s commentary)
Friends, Let’s live in such a way that when others look at us, they see Jesus and the relationship that we have with Him, and may we be ready with answers for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).
Prayer of Response: I pray that when others see me or hear me speak, that they see and hear Jesus in me. I pray that they will ask me about my Jesus and find what they have seen and heard from me, not only to be true, but to be better than they even imagined.
She had come because of what she had heard. She traveled more than a thousand miles to find out if it was true, and she discovered that not only was it true, but “it was far greater than what she had heard.5“
Adapted from the study, She, delighting in the examples of women of the Bible, Volume 4, pp. 45-46
Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 12 and 32:23; Exodus 15:20-21
I imagine Miriam is best known as the sister of Moses and Aaron. She was used in the plot to save Moses from certain death, as she watched over her baby brother, Moses, among the bulrushes on the banks of the Nile. Their mother had hidden Moses in a basket on the riverbank to protect him from Pharaoh’s decree to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river (Exodus 1:22—2:4). Oddly enough, (or perhaps – perfect as planned) as Miriam watches, it is Pharaoh’s daughter who discovers and pities Moses. Miriam quickly intervenes to ask if the Egyptian princess would like a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for her. The princess agrees, and Miriam quickly gets her mother, Jochebed. Not knowing that Jochebed was Moses’ mother, Pharaoh’s daughter commands her to nurse him and bring him back to her when he is older. By the sovereign grace of God, Miriam was used not only to keep Moses safe from the waters but to ensure that Jochebed was the one who nursed and cared for him in the early years of his life (Exodus 2:5–10).
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
While those are the better-known highlights of Miriam’s story, did you know that she was called a prophetess and led the women of Israel in praising the Lord for His deliverance through the Red Sea? Perhaps you recognize or maybe even have sung the chorus before: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurled both horse and rider into the sea.”
I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and rider thrown into the sea. I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously, the horse and rider thrown into the sea. The LORD, my God, my strength and song, has now become my victory. The LORD, my God, my strength and song, has now become my victory. The LORD is God, and I will praise him, our covenant God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is God, and I will praise him, our covenant God, and I will exalt him.
However, as we read in Numbers 12, Miriam’s story isn’t without its troubling moments, particularly after Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian woman, a Cushite. For some unknown or unnamed reason, Miriam is displeased with the marriage and nudges Aaron to join in her displeasure, as today’s journal entry points out. Her jealousy and criticism of Moses aroused the Lord’s anger, “and He departed, and the cloud also departed from off the tabernacle. When the cloud was gone, Miriam became leprous, white as snow, and she was shut outside the camp for seven days.”1 We may never know why Miriam was so upset over the marriage between her brother and the Cushite, but God makes it clear that her leprous condition is a direct punishment for Miriam’s sin, emphasizing the seriousness of speaking against Moses, His chosen leader. The punishment was meant to serve as a warning against rebellion and slander. As gotquestion.org explains, “the punishment of leprosy was a graphic illustration of sin’s destructive power,” not only to the sinner but to the body of Christ as a whole. In this situation, while Miriam was sequestered outside of the camp for seven days, the people had to postpone traveling on until she had completed the seven days of separation that the Lord had commanded before she could be accepted back inside the camp.
15 So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again. 16 Then they left Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 12:15-16
Friends, I have learned the hard way more than once in my lifetime that our thoughts and emotions easily and often direct our words. Whether it is anger, bitterness, jealousy, or some other emotion, we would be wise to heed God’s warning to let our words be those that encourage and build up rather than slander and tear down. As we see in this example of Miriam, this is even more important when we are talking about or “speaking out against” God’s chosen servants.2
Like Lot’s wife, Miriam (in this segment of her story) serves as an example that when we sin against God, there are consequences that we cannot avoid.
The More We Know
Probably the best way to show appreciation (and respect) to your pastor is to follow his instructions to follow Jesus. News of the church’s fidelity to Christ was all that the apostle John needed to be encouraged: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4). Nothing will make your pastor happier than for you to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Your pastor needs your encouragement, so show your appreciation for him and his work. Hebrews 13:17 is a clear instruction to honor your pastor, and it gives the reasons why: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Your pastor watches out for your spiritual well-being. Will you make his job a “burden” or a “joy”? gotquestions.org/emphasis mine
“Double honor” for those God has given charge over us, refers not only to our financial support of them but also, as we see here in Miriam’s story, to an abundance of respect and obedience from members of the church. (borrowed and adapted from an online commentary)
adapted from the study: She, Delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, pp39-40
Before we meet Lot’s Wife, let’s familiarize ourselves with Lot. He is the nephew of Abraham. When Abraham and Sarah obeyed the Lord’s call to leave Haran and go to Canaan, Lot went with them. Eventually, their families parted ways, and Lot settled his family near the land of Sodom, a very sinful city.1
As for Lot’s wife, Scripture does not tell us her name, nor when they met and married. Though some have suggested that “Lot met and married her within the cesspool of Sodom.” Which is exactly where we find them living in our story today.
Her Story
1 That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.
2 My lords,’ he said, ‘come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.’ ‘Oh no,’ they replied. ‘We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.’
3 But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate. 4 But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. 5 They shouted to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!’
6 So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. 7 Please, my brothers,’ he begged, ‘don’t do such a wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.
‘9 Stand back!’ they shouted. ‘This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he’s acting like our judge! We’ll treat you far worse than those other men!’ And they lunged toward Lot to break down the door.
10 But the two angels reached out, pulled Lot into the house, and bolted the door. 11 Then they blinded all the men, young and old, who were at the door of the house, so they gave up trying to get inside.
12 Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. ‘Do you have any other relatives here in the city?’ they asked. ‘Get them out of this place — your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. 13For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it.’
14 So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, ‘Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.’ But the young men thought he was only joking.
15 At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. ‘Hurry,’ they said to Lot. ‘Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!’
16 When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful. Genesis 19:1-16 NLT
It is a horrid story and not easy to read, yet to truly understand the story of “Lot’s wife,” it is helpful, if not necessary, to understand the place and people she has been living among, perhaps her entire life, as some commentators think that this may be where she lived when Lot met and married her. Verses four and five paint a vividly depraved picture of just how steeped in sin the people of Sodom were. Notably, Lot went to great, shocking, even questionable lengths to protect the angels from the riotous mob at his door (6-9). Yet, we must not miss the difficulty Lot and his family had in leaving the city, to the point that the angels had to physically grab hold of their hands and pull them to safety outside of the city. They had been warned that the city would be destroyed and that if they stayed, they would be swept away with it, yet somehow they still struggled to leave.
BUT GOD, in his mercy, had heard the request of Abraham to spare Lot and his family, and the angels delivered them safely outside of the destruction. Before they left them, the angels instructed the family to run for their lives, without looking back or stopping anywhere in the valley. They were to escape to the mountains in order not to be swept away. (vv 18–22).
‘Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!’ Genesis 19:17
A Pillar of Salt
Sadly, as Lot led his daughters from the city, his wife “looked back.” As one commentator writes, “She turned her focus to what she was losing instead of looking forward to God’s offer of salvation” (Genesis 19:1–26).
Gotquestions.org points out that “Lot’s wife lagged behind.” While Scripture does not indicate that this was purposeful, it does say that she was following behind Lot (Genesis 19:26). Whatever the reason, she disobeyed God’s instructions through the angels and “looked back.” Because of this, she was “turned into a pillar of salt.” As Bibleref.com explains, “Whether this is a literal, supernatural transformation, or a poetic way of indicating that she was caught up in the destruction due to her delay, the text gives no further details. In either case, God does not let her sin stand.”2
LOT’S WIFE SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT SIN HAS CONSEQUENCES.
“If we choose to reject the salvation that the Lord has given us, we too will become a pillar of regret.”3
Lot’s wife chose the old over the new, the world over God and His ways, sinful pleasures over the will of God…the way of death over the way of new life. Friends, when we are tempted to ‘look back’(clinging to ways, or people, or things that displease God) we would be wise to “remember Lot’s wife,” just as Jesus said to do (Luke 17:32). May she be a reminder for us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith…” so that we do not ‘look back’ and become stuck in our longings for sinful pleasures or regrets of our past. Consider the Israelites,
who looked back and longed for the food of Egypt, or as one commentator puts it, “When the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, they often romanticized their past. Despite enduring brutal slavery, they longed for the predictability and familiar foods of Egypt (like fish, cucumbers, and garlic) when faced with the harsh realities and uncertainties of desert life.” [1, 2, 3]
Or this example from my own life,
The enemy sometimes assaults me with reminders of the sins of my past, causing my mind to be filled with shame and regret. If I do not quickly turn the thought into a praise of gratitude for God’s mercy and grace, I can get stuck in the muck and mire of regret and lose sight of the blessing of joy in His love and forgiveness. Praise God, the Spirit reminds me that God’s children are not meant to live in shame and regret but in the fullness of joy found in the salvation that is ours through Christ Jesus.
REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE
Jesus’ instruction to “remember Lot’s Wife was meant to serve as a reminder for those who will be among the remnant in the last days. “It is a warning not to seek rescue through things of the world, or to prioritize one’s life over obedience. Even as we trust Jesus’ promises, we must be willing to lose our physical lives, knowing Jesus gives us eternal life” (Luke 17:33). “many will be caught off guard, living normal lives like those in the days of Noah and Lot; Jesus’ followers need to watch the signs and be ready.” As Lot led his daughters from the city, his wife “looked back.” She turned her focus to what she was losing instead of looking forward to God’s offer of salvation (Genesis 19:1–26).
“The language used here might suggest Lot’s wife gazed intently; the point is not that she merely allowed her eyes to take in the catastrophe. The implication of the passage is that in looking back, Lot’s wife was expressing her continuing affection for the sinful culture of Sodom (Luke 17:31–32).4” Jesus’ reminder is meant to help the remnant in that day not make the same mistake.
The More We Know
quotes and added details from gotquestions.org and bibleref.com
Abraham’s plea for the righteous within Sodom … After God indicates His intent to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their sins, Abraham tries to convince God to consider the righteous people who might live there. In truth, God already knows that Sodom is doomed, and has no need to justify Himself to Abraham. However, using human language, He has allowed Abraham to discuss sparing the city if a small number of people there are not involved in the city’s pervasive sins (Genesis 13:13; Ezekiel 16:49–50).
Abraham concludes his negotiation with the Lord here, with another request that the Lord not be angry with him, and a promise not to push any further after this. If the Lord finds 10 righteous people in Sodom, will He spare the city for the sake of those 10 people? This particular number was probably Abraham’s goal all along, with the intent of sparing his nephew, Lot, from death in the judgment against Sodom.
Once more, the Lord agrees to Abraham’s request. He will not destroy the city if 10 righteous people are found. Of course, the Lord already knows how many righteous people He will find in Sodom and Gomorrah. He knows what’s coming. Still, He has been gracious and kind to endure Abraham’s pointed questions and requests. In the end, Abraham will know that the Lord is both just in His judgment and merciful in His approach.
We’re fortunate to receive similar warnings. Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us to take off the old self that is ruled by sin and be renewed, putting on the new self that is in the likeness of God. Similarly, 1 John 5:16 says that willful, deliberate sin can lead to death. Lot’s wife wasn’t able to accept that. What she chose to value in her heart led her to sin, which led to her “death”.
The Bible isn’t clear whether Lot’s wife was covered in the salt that rained down with the brimstone or if her remains were dusted with a coating of salt later. But it is interesting that she is described as a “pillar.” The Hebrew for “pillar” refers to a garrison or a deputy, that is, something set to watch over something else. The image of Lot’s wife standing watch over the Dead Sea area—where to this day no life can exist—is a poignant reminder to us not to look back or turn back from the profession of faith we have made, but to follow Christ without hesitation and abide in His love (Luke 17:32).
Unlike most of the women we have journeyed with, Herodius is not a woman we would want to pattern our lives after. We meet her in our story today as the wife of Herod; however, Herod was not her first husband. Before marrying Herod, or Antipas1 as he was also known, Herodias was married to Herod’s half-brother, Philip. The more troubling part of the family connection is that she was also the daughter of Herod’s and Philip’s half-brother Aristobulus, making her their niece. Gotquestions.org states that when Herod was visiting Philip, he met Herodias and fell in love with her. Long story short, she divorces Philip and marries Herod Antipas.
As the study journal describes her, Herodias was one of the most wicked women. While there is no reference in the Bible comparing her to Jezebel,2 many commentators write that she was the “Jezebel of the New Testament”, using a variety of reasons, such as:
The Prophet vs. The Queen: Just as Jezebel fiercely opposed and sought the life of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19), Herodias held a deep grudge against John the Baptist and ultimately succeeded in having him beheaded. [1, 2, 3]
The “Elijah” Connection: Theologically, John the Baptist is recognized as coming in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). This makes Herodias’s hostility toward John an exact New Testament mirror of Jezebel’s hostility toward Elijah. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Controlling Wives: Both women were highly ambitious and manipulated their weaker husbands (King Ahab and King Herod Antipas, respectively) into carrying out their malicious goals. [1, 2, 3]
Using Their Daughters: Both used familial relationships—Jezebel using her daughter Athaliah and Herodias using her unnamed daughter—to achieve their wicked objectives. [1, 2, 3]
The last point (using her daughter) in the list of reasons that she was compared to Jezebel is where we find Herodias in our journey today. You see, Herodias bore a grudge against John the Baptist3, because he had told Herod that their marriage was unlawful.4 Herodias wasn’t just bothered by John’s declaration; her grudge was so strong that she wanted to kill him, but without Herod’s approval, she was powerless to do so.5 Herod, while not a fan or friend of John, “knows John is a righteous man and he fears him, plus he liked to listen to John. So, since Herodias is trying to kill John, Antipas holds him in the one place she can’t reach: prison.6“
Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. ‘Ask me for anything you like,’ the king said to the girl, ‘and I will give it to you.’
Mark 6:22
One would think that John’s imprisonment would have appeased Herodias, but prison did not satisfy her; she wanted him dead. So she came up with an evil plan and used her daughter to manipulate Herod when she danced for him at his birthday celebration. Whether the dance was meant to arouse his lust or simply play with his emotions, Harod was so pleased with the dance that he offered her anything she wanted. The girl asked her mother what she should request, and Herodias seized the opportunity and replied: “The head of John the Baptist.” Without hesitation, Herod ordered it done, and John was not only beheaded, but his head was delivered to Herodias’ daughter on a tray, who took it to her mother.
The story of Herodias serves as an example of the disgrace that lust and sin brings to a life consumed with pride.
Reflection and Application
Friends, from Herod’s lustful7 desire for his brother’s wife to Herodias’ hurt/angered pride aroused by John’s condemnation of their marriage and the sin of murder that ensued because of the lust and pride ~ is it any wonder that we are warned in Scripture that pride goes before destruction,8 and to “get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, we are to be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven us.” 9? Oh, let us not be like Herodias, manipulating an end that we desire – but may our hearts and minds be forever yielded to God, slow to anger, abounding in love, and quick to repent of our sins.
Practical Applications by Bible Hub
• Expect resistance when confronting sin with truth.
• Guard your heart from grudges; unresolved resentment breeds greater evil.
• Public righteousness may cost temporal safety but garners eternal reward (Matthew 5:11-12).
• The gospel calls even Herodias-like sinners to repentance; Christ’s resurrection proves that forgiveness is available to the hardest heart.
Summary
Herodias harbored a grudge against John the Baptist because his uncompromising proclamation of God’s law threatened her illicit marriage, her ambition, and her conscience. Her reaction—rooted in pride, political calculation, and spiritual darkness—culminated in John’s execution, fulfilling the biblical motif of prophetic suffering and underscoring the peril of resisting revealed truth.
The More We Know
The family history of Herod the Great is twisted and confusing. This is especially true given that “Herod” means “king” and seems to have been used as a family name by several members, whether they were recognized as kings by the Roman emperor or not. Herod Antipas is one of at least eight sons. Upon the death of Herod the Great, the kingdom was split into four tetrarchies, and Antipas the Tetrarch was given rule over Galilee, north of Samaria, and Perea, across the Jordan River from Judea. Antipas married the daughter of the king of Nabatea, a nation which bordered southeast Perea, and settled down to a life of irritating the Jews. ↩︎
John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, not John the disciple of Jesus. John was related to Jesus, as their mothers were relatives (Luke 1:36). In fact, when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, he also told her about John. When Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb, she visited Elizabeth, and John leapt in his mother’s womb for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:39-45).
Although his name implies that he baptized people (which he did), John’s life on earth was more than just baptizing. John’s adult life was characterized by devotion and surrender to Jesus Christ and His kingdom. John’s voice was a “lone voice in the wilderness” (John 1:23) as he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to a people who desperately needed a Savior. He was the precursor for the modern-day evangelist as he unashamedly shared the good news of Jesus Christ. He was a man filled with faith and a role model to those of us who wish to share our faith with others. ↩︎
Lust is an intense, overwhelming desire, craving, or enthusiasm. While most commonly associated with strong, uncontrolled sexual attraction, the term is also frequently used to describe a powerful, often obsessive longing for something—such as a “lust for power,” wealth, or adventure. [1, 2, 3, 4] ↩︎
Dear Reader: Do you know the Lord of Heaven and earth, the one whom John the Baptist so faithfully proclaimed? If not, I invite you to follow the link to know the truths about who He is, and how He loves you and can save your soul.
adapted from She, delighting in the examples of women in the Bible, volume 4, pp. 71 and 72
Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:1-8, 22:2, and 23:1-2; Hebrews 10:23 and 11:11-12,
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)”. Hebrews 10:23
“…she judged him faithful who had promised.” Hebrews 11:11
The Promise
We’ve been journeying through Sarah’s story for five days now, so the question begs to be revisited: What was the promise, and who made it?” We find the answer in Genesis 17, where God is conversing with Abraham, expounding on a promise He had made in chapter 12, in which He called Abraham to leave his father’s family and his country for a new country. He wasn’t even told where he was going, only that he was to leave and go to a land God would show him. Abraham, along with Sarah, his wife, answered the call.1 The call God made came with a promise2, which is where today’s journey picks up:
God Gives More Details
6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. …15 Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on, her name will be Sarah. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants. 17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” 18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” 19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. 20 As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.” Genesis 17:6, 15-21
Sarah, who was barren, had laughed when she heard God tell her husband, Abraham, that through his descendants a great nation would arise, but God still placed her in the ‘Hall of Faith’ that we find in Hebrews chapter 11. Yes, “Even though she laughed, even though she was afraid, she is still known for her faith.3” Actually, Scripture tells us that it was through her faiththat Sarah received strength to conceive and give birth to a child, even though she was past the age of childbearing. The author of Hebrews writes, “…she judged God faithful who had promised;” and because she did, God opened her womb, and she gave birth to a son, just as God had promised, and his name was Isaac. From Isaac, the seed of Abraham and Sarah, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Again, this was just as God had promised (Genesis 22:17).
When I look at my daughters (Annie, who battled childhood cancer but now is married with two children of her own…and Abi, who was born with crippled feet but now runs on two healthy feet, I rarely see them without also seeing God’s mercy, love, and grace, and His hand of miraculous power. So I can only imagine that every time Sarah looked at Isaac, she would have remembered God’s faithfulness to keep His promises.
Friends, remembering God’s faithfulness is not only an encouragement to stay faithful to Him, but it is the weapon we need to use in our warfare with the enemy, when fears rise up to surround us, or sorrows keep us inward focused, or following God’s call on our lives seems too risky… It is why we are told throughout Scripture to keep our eyes on Him. Or, paraphrasing one commentary, recalling God’s guidance through the wilderness and His protection from enemies, anchors our current trust in His past faithfulness.
Consider the words of the Psalmists and others in the Bible:
Psalm 77:11-12: “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.”
1 Chronicles 16:12: “Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered.”
Psalm 103:2: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
And may we never forget the words of the Apostle Paul which guide us to a peace that passes all understanding:
Philippians 4:8-9: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
SARAH SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL
Father, help us continually remember Your faithfulness, and, in response, may we remain faithful to You, even in the seasons of waiting we face along the way. Thank you for the beautiful examples you have given us throughout Your Word. ~ Strengthen us, as the author of Hebrews wrote, to hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering, knowing that You who promised are faithful. ~Amen and Amen
Reflection and Application
Why do you think Sarah was included in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews chapter 11? ~ I believe it is because her faith points us to The One in whom we are to place our faith – The One Who is the most faithful Promise Keeper we will ever know. ~What are your thoughts?
The More We Know
Paul Weighs In
Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. Romans 4:18-22 NLT
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. Genesis 12:1 ↩︎
“2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” ↩︎
She, delighting in the examples of women in the Bible, volume 4, pp. 71↩︎
adapted from She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, Volume 4/pp69-70
Today’s Scripture: Genesis 18 and 21:1-3; Isaiah 64:4; Psalm 56:3
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4 NLT
Genesis 18 is filled with details that are helpful, if not necessary, for understanding and truly appreciating this part of Sarah’s story and the blessing that she and Abraham experience.
Bibleref.com sums the first portion up like this: “The events of Genesis 18 take place not long after God’s visit with Abraham in chapter 17. However, this visit from the Lord is quite different. It’s not clear, at first, if Abraham even recognizes the three men who appear outside of his tent as the Lord and two angels in human form. In either case, Abraham runs to show them deep respect and hospitality. He tells Sarah to bake them bread and has a young calf slaughtered for them to eat as they rest in the heat of the day.
Once the meal is over, the Lord fully reveals Himself, in a conversation He conducts with Sarah through Abraham while she remains hidden and listening in the tent. First, the Lord asks where Sarah is and then reveals to her what He had said to Abraham in the previous chapter: by this time a year from now, she will have a son.“
Part of the story hasn’t changed, Sarah is still barren and advanced in age…but now she knows her waiting is about to come to an end. As we read in Genesis 21:1, the Lord keeps His promise – regardless of how difficult a thing may seem in human eyes or understanding – nothing is too difficult for our God! We are not told exactly how the promise comes about – only that “the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did unto Sara as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac” (Genesis 21:1-3).
How would you say you wait? Patiently…Impatiently…Excitedly…Nervously…Doubtfully…? I would venture to say that for most – if not all of us, it depends on what we’re waiting for. My four-year-old grandson is working on waiting patiently to have our attention if we are already talking to someone else. Sometimes he waits really well, but if what he wants to say is super exciting or important, the wait becomes nearly impossible for him. Sometimes I wait well, but waiting on a doctor’s report or a job position may turn into waiting nervously, waiting on my smoothie at McDonald’s when I’m running late for work may stir up the impatient side of me, and the eight years of waiting on a baby ran the gamut from waiting patiently to impatiently to excitedly and nervously and eventually doubtfully. The fact of the matter is, waiting is generally not easy, so when you’re talking 25 years of waiting, which is approximately the amount of time that Sarah and Abraham waited on the promise God had made concerning Sarah having a child, specifically a male child who would be the first seed of the great nation God had told Abraham he would one day father.
As we have seen through our journey with Sarah, it wasn’t an easy wait for her, and subsequently not an easy wait for Abraham either. However, “the longer she waited, the more of a miracle her situation became.” Why? Because the older she and Abraham became, the possibility of conceiving and giving birth, humanly speaking, diminished. Sarah understood this, which is why she laughed at the very thought of it being true – it is also why God’s rebuttal to her laughter was a question: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14). It was a pointed reminder then and remains so today, that nothing, absolutely nothing, can limit or hold back the power of God.
“Waiting sometimes causes us to fear the unknown. However, there is no need to fear when we trust in Him.”
She, study guide, volume 4, p70
Friends, I don’t know if waiting ever becomes easy. However, I have found that the more life has required me to wait, the more God has strengthened/deepened my roots of faith. Waiting teaches us to depend on God, to look to Him for help when we grow weary and/impatient, to confess our weariness and trust Him even in the midst of humanly impossible situations that raise shadows of doubts. … Yes, as today’s journal entry states: “Waiting sometimes causes us to fear the unknown. However, there is no need to fear when we trust in Him.1“
The More We Know
The Wait for Isaac
Genesis 12 begins the story of Abraham (then called Abram) and his barren wife, Sarah. Verses 1 through 4 record God’s first words to him about a homeland for his offspring. Even though the gift of a son is not directly mentioned in this first communication, God hinted at His plan for Abram. Abraham was 75 years old when he first received the promise, and Genesis 21:5 tells us he was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Sarah was 90. So Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the fulfillment of God’s promise.
In those 25 years between the time that Abram was promised a son and the birth of Isaac, Abram and Sarah had certain ideas of how they might facilitate the keeping of the promise. One was that Abraham’s steward, Eliezer, would become the heir of Abraham’s household (Genesis 15:2–3). Another idea was that Abraham could have an heir through a son conceived by Sarah’s slave, Hagar (Genesis 16:1–2). In both cases, God rejected those men as Abraham’s heirs, pointing Abraham and Sarah to a literal, miraculous fulfillment of the promise.2
adapted from the study She, delighting in the examples of the women of the Bible, volume 4/pp63-64
Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 17, Genesis 18:11-12, and Jeremiah 32:17
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by the great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:”
This is our third day’s journey with Sarah, or Sarai, as she has been known until now, when God gives her a new identity. It wasn’t a drastic change, simply one letter, but when God changed someone’s name, there was always a reason. According to gotquestions.org, “it was usually to establish a new identity. In this case, Sarai, meaning ‘my princess‘, became ‘Sarah’, meaning ‘mother of nations‘ (Genesis 17:15).”
It has been said before, but the ‘elephant’ (as they say) is still in the room: Whether she is called Sarai or Sarah she is still not pregnant and there is literally no human hope or physical possibilities of her being able to conceive. So, why would God grace her with this new identity? “Motherof nations? Seriously? She wasn’t even the mother of one. She had been barren for decades and well beyond childbearing age. This was more than Sarah’s opinion it was physical reality for we read in Genesis 18:11-12 that Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. 12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” It would take a miracle for Sarah to give Abraham a son now ~ and that’s exactly what happened. As just “one year later, God’s supernatural restoration of Sarah’s womb and Abraham’s vitality resulted in the promised son, Isaac. Abraham and Sarah’s moment of too much inward focus and not enough focus on God’s ability to do the impossible was a brief interlude to an otherwise trusting and believing relationship, as the author of Hebrews attests.1“
By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Sarah is an example that nothing is too hard for the Lord our God.
Friends, let’s remember ~ if God can provide the impossible for Sarah, He is also able to so for us💜
Reflection and Application
How have you doubted God before? Is there something you are doubting Him about now?
The More We Know
What’s in a Name?
God changed Abram’s name, meaning “high father,” to “Abraham,” meaning “father of a multitude” (Genesis 17:5). At the same time, God changed Abraham’s wife’s name from “Sarai,” meaning “my princess,” to “Sarah,” meaning “mother of nations” (Genesis 17:15). This name change took place when God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. God also reaffirmed His promise to give Abraham a son, specifically through Sarah, and told him to name his son Isaac, meaning “laughter.” Abraham had another son, Ishmael, through Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. But God’s promise to bless the nations through Abraham was to be fulfilled through Isaac’s line, from whom Jesus descended (Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38). Isaac was the father of Jacob, who became “Israel.” His twelve sons formed the twelve tribes of Israel—the Jews. The physical descendants of Abraham and Sarah formed many nations. In a spiritual sense, their descendants are even more numerous. Galatians 3:29 says that all who belong to Jesus Christ—Jew, Gentile, male, or female—are “Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Me From the Inside Out 