Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 2

Pharaoh’s Daughter

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Adapted from, She, Volume 2/pp 57-58

Read: Exodus 2

“She had a Specific Task, for which the LORD had a Great Purpose.”

RECAP: During the Hebrews’ period of enslavement in Egypt, Pharaoh decreed that all male Hebrew babies should be killed (Exodus 1:15–16). When that plan did not work, he issued another decree to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river (Exodus 1:22—2:4). A mother named Jochebed, however, kept her baby son hidden for three months. “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile” (Exodus 2:3). The baby’s name was Moses, and his mother’s faith and courage in saving her son would be pivotal in shaping world history.

Today, we explore another woman who was pivotal in the story of baby Moses. We only know her as the daughter of Pharaoh, ironically, the same Pharaoh who issued the decree to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river. While we do not learn much about her in this passage of Exodus, we do know that she was a princess. We also know that God used her for a specific task and a great purpose. Ironically, that purpose was to rescue baby Moses from the Nile.

As explained by Bibleref.com: “The daughter of Pharaoh’s identity is uncertain, though there are possible candidates to fit this description. One is Hatshepsut, daughter of Thutmose I. She would have been the appropriate age at the time of Moses’ birth. Her historical account also portrays her as a kind princess who could fit the description found in this biblical passage. Another possibility is Sobekneferu, the daughter of Amenemhat III. Amenemhat had no surviving sons, and Sobekneferu had no children, making her more likely to adopt a child. Whoever this daughter was, her attitude is clearly much different than her father’s”, who, as previously mentioned “commanded all infant sons to be thrown into the Nile River to die.”

Bibleref.com goes on to explain that “This royal woman comes to the Nile to bathe, a common practice in her time. Her servant girls would have been present. Moses’ mother also likely knew the location. She probably placed Moses there in hopes he would be cared for by this woman or one of the other women who bathed there. Though this verse says Pharaoh’s daughter “saw the basket” and had a servant get it, her very first notice might have been hearing him cry (Exodus 2:6).” And this is where we learn of her compassion.

“And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river, and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maids to fetch it. 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.’”

Exodus 2:5-6

It is worth noting again the irony of the story that unfolds here. Moses’ mother, in order to somehow protect her son from the edict Pharaoh had given, places him in a basket, prepared for the water, and leaves her daughter to watch and see what happens to him. Pharaoh’s daughter spots the basket, has her maids bring it to her, and despite her father’s edict, she has compassion on the child when he cries. Her compassion results in her adopting Moses; this presented an immediate need to provide a means for him to be fed and cared for in the early years. Of course, God had perfectly orchestrated everything. Miriam(the sister of Moses), who had been planted there by her mother, speaks up, offering to get a Hebrew nursemaid for Pharaoh’s daughter, who sends her to do so, which resulted in Moses’ own mother, was blessed by God to not only nurse and care for her son during those early years, but was also paid to do so.

“And the child grew and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses, and she said, ‘Because I drew him out of the water.’”

Exodus 2:10

As our study guide for today points out, “God saw the plan for Moses long before he was placed in the ark of bulrushes.” He also chose who would find him, who would nurse him, and who would be his adopted mother. (It should be noted that while some would say Pharaoh’s daughter converted to Judaism and is numbered among God’s children, there is no Scripture that I could find that makes that clear.)

SHE WAS USED BY THE LORD TO PRESERVE & PROTECT THE LIFE OF MOSES.

SHE VOLUME 2, P58

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 2

Jochebed and Miriam

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Adapted from She, Volume 2, pp 35-36

Read: Exodus 2

Jochebed, was the mother of Moses, Miriam, and Aaron. She had Moses during the days when Pharaoh had given an order to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the Nile River. (Exodus 1:15–16).  She was a devoted and godly mother who found a way to protect her son (Ex 1:17-19 and 2:3) from Pharaoh’s order (Ex.1:6-18). As bibleref.com points out, “Ironically, this very command from Pharaoh will frame the life of the man who eventually leads Israel out of slavery. She was a devoted and godly mother, trusting God to protect her son.

“She carefully prepared an ark of bulrushes, covered it with slime and pitch, and placed him inside.”

She Volume 2, p35

As with Hannah and Samuel (1 Samuel 1 and 2), when Jochebed we can only imagine how difficult it was to place her son into the basket – and then into the water. She actually found it so difficult that she couldn’t bear to leave him unattended, but the Bible says her daughter Miriam is there to watch over Moses. so they would know what happened to him.1

Jochebed refused to leave Moses unattended.

Miriam (yet another woman of the Bible – bonus addition to our journey), was used in the plot to save Moses from certain death. She watches 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, Moses’ was saved from the waters and Jochebed was not only able to nurse and care for him in the early years of his life, but she was also paid for it (Exodus 2:5–10).

“Jochebed (and Miriam) serve as examples that God can use the most unique situations to protect His children and His plan for their lives.”  She, Volume 2, p36

When Jochebed placed Moses in the river that day, she had faith that he would not only survive, but also thrive.

She, Volume 2, p36
Reflection and Application:
  • What have you placed in your basket in faith that God would intervene?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 2

Eve

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Adapted from, She, Volume 2, p 17-18

Read: Genesis 2 and 3

Eve, “The woman who was instrumental in sin entering the world and from whom we can learn “what not to do”. She was the first woman created by God from Adam’s rib, placed in the Garden of Eden as a helpmate to her husband. Given the privilege of God’s company, of knowing His goodness, and the beauty of His creation prior to sin entering the world. She could be the poster child for Peter’s warning to be self-controlled and alert, because our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion (or in Eve’s case, like a serpent) looking for someone to devour.1

The study guide for our journey focuses first on the creation of Eve:

  • She was taken out of the man (Gen. 2:22).
  • She was created in the image of God, (Gen. 1:27).
  • She was created with purpose, (Gen. 2:18).

In these truths, we see Eve as “the first woman“, who “serves as an example that God creates each woman with purpose and has a unique plan for her life.“

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

23 And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Genesis 2:15-20

And then our attention is turned to her conversation with the serpent and her subsequent fall.

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

2 (And the woman said to the serpent), “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

Genesis 3:1-3
  • Eve not only entered into conversation with the serpent, she also embellished what God said, using the words, “nor shall you touch it.” These words were not part of the original command, and they are confirmed nowhere else in the Bible (Genesis 2:16-17).
    • ‘Oh, be careful, little mouth, what you say.’

But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (If you eat) its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2:16-17

  • She desired what the tree had to offer (Genesis 3:6).
    • So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, (Genesis 3:6a)
      • ‘Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.‘

The verse reveals Eve’s three motivations for crossing that line: The tree’s fruit could satisfy her body’s appetite for food, the tree was visually attractive, and the tree could make her wise. Those motivations line up closely with the Apostle John’s description of the things which still drive the world as we know it today: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).

Bibleref.com
  • She was deceived.
    • ‘Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear; and be careful, little mind, what you think.’
      • She knew what God had told Adam, and yet she added to His words and justified her desire
  • She had a choice to make...
    • she took of its fruit and ate… (Genesis 3:6b)
      • She gave it to her husband, and he ate it too… (Genesis 3:6c)
        • ‘Oh, be careful little hands what you do.‘

Friend, if you’re wondering what good can come from focusing on Eve’s fall, I encourage you to consider these truths- one is an important warning and the other is life-changing encouragement:

  • Sin will take you farther than you want to go, and cost you more than you want to pay.
  • He can use us despite our sin and fulfill His will through us if we will simply yield to Him.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 2

Anna

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Adapted from She, volume 2, p11-12

Read: Luke 2:36-38 and 2 Cor. 9:15

Anna, a prophetess, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher,1 and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.  She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

I love and appreciate that God allowed Anna, who had heard prophecies about the coming Messiah for many years, not only to believe in Him but to meet Him face to face. Luke wrote that, “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

Anna, one of the few prophetesses mentioned in the Bible. “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (Luke 2:37). After becoming a widow, Anna dedicated herself wholly to the Lord. She never left the temple in Jerusalem but spent her time worshiping, fasting, and praying. Her many years of sacrifice and service were worth it all when she came face-to-face with Jesus, the Messiah, the One for whom she had waited so long. I see the fingerprints of God in the timing described by Luke with these words:  “She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God.” What stands out to me most is not only her devotion but her delight in seeing Him turned into praising Him and then to sharing Him with “everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

Friends, may we be faithful and alert, like Anna, so that we do not miss the presence and work of Jesus in and around our lives. When we see Him, may we faithfully praise Him, and, like Anna, may we then faithfully proclaim Him to everyone.

The More We Know

Posted in Bible study, Conversations With God, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Quiet Time, She, Volume 1

Be A Woman of the Bible

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Adapted from, She, Volume 1/p75-76

Read: Deuteronomy 17:19; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 2:15

Deuteronomy 17:19

He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the Lord his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.

John 5:39

You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

2 Timothy 2:15

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey through the lives of. 12 women in the Bible. Some were very familiar, others not so much. Yet all were beneficial examples of how we are to live our lives as women of faith. As the study guide points out, our names are not printed on the pages of Scripture, but we can still be known as a Woman of the Bible; all we have to do is let the character/qualities of their lives shape how we walk with the Lord.

However, the study guide also comes with a warning and a choice from the book of James, where we read:  But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. 23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out—he will be blessed in what he does. Jame 1-22-25

We can’t just know what the Bible says; we must do what it says. Yes, we must study it, but just as important as knowing God’s Word is living out His Word.

There is a difference between what you know and what you believe. (she, volume 1)

There are many people who know countless facts about Who Jesus is, yet they have not placed their faith and trust in what He did on the cross for them.

She, Volume 1, p76

Friends, the Scriptures and our study guide make it clear that if we want to be a woman of the Bible, it’s not about what we know but how we live that matters. Let’s make it our purpose not only to remember the women we have learned about on this journey, but also to apply what we know about them to our lives. “For, if we do not apply what we know to our life, it simply ends with knowledge.” And that, as James says, is to “deceive ourselves”.

Reflection and Application
  • What do you believe?
  • How are you living that out?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, She, Volume 1

The Woman In the City

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Adapted from, She, Volume 1/p71-72

Read: Luke 7:36-50

We do not know with certainty who the woman of the city was or why she was referred to as “a sinner.” However, we do know that she was aware she was a sinner in need of a Savior, and she understood that Jesus, the guest of Simon the Pharisee, was the only one who could save her. Because of this knowledge, she risked much, if not everything, to reach Him – and then she humbled herself in a posture and action of worship.

We also know, as our study guide points out that:

  • She did not come to Him empty-handed
    • She brought with her an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. (Luke 7:37)

Those who understand the forgiveness of Jesus react in humility and love, not hedonism1 or arrogance.

Bibleref.com
  • She had faith in who Jesus was and what He could do for her.
    • As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. (Luke 7:38)
      • She wasn’t just enamored with who Jesus was, but “She wept over her sin at the feet of Jesus.” (quote from: She, Volume 1/p71)
  • She knew she was a sinner in need of a Savior.
    • We know this because of what Jesus says to her: “Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.'”… 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:48 & 50)
      • We do not need to know what her sins were, but we must not miss that
        • “Jesus saw her faith and forgave her of all that she had done.”2
      • And then He spoke to her the best message she would ever hear, a message that would forever change her from the inside out and free her to go in peace, no longer tortured by her sin, and no longer controlled by the judgment or acceptance of ‘man’.
        • “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48)
        • “ Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” (Luke 7:50)

Friends, I know from experience that when we truly understand the depths of our sin and lay them at the feet of Jesus, we receive the forgiveness of God. We hear Him say, “Your sins are forgiven, go in peace,“ and we are forever changed from the inside out. Paul declares that we are “New creations!” He says, “The old is gone, the new has come.”3 Like the woman in the city, we can go in peace – no longer called “sinner”… and as Matthew West sings so beautifully, we are no longer known as “too far gone” but saved by grace and called by a new name: Chosen child of God! I don’t know about you, but I’m shouting a big Hallelujah and thank You, Jesus! How about you?

If you have not placed your faith in Jesus and would like to know the way to this life-changing peace, please message me and let me tell you about my Jesus. You can also check out “Know These Truths” about the way to Jesus. We’re not guaranteed tomorrow, so let today be the day. If it is, let me know – I have a free gift I would like to send to you help you get started in your walk of faith.

The More We Know

What does Luke 7:48 mean?

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

The Widow of Zarephath

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Adapted from She, Volume 1/p67-68

1 Kings 17

What would you do if you were down to only enough food in your house for one more meal for you and your child … and a stranger came along and asked for you to feed him? Would you offer him to share in what you had left, or would you explain honestly that you had just enough for you and your child to have one last meal before you died? Would you turn him away? If you were the man hearing her plight, would you still let her feed you or go on your way?

Our journey today takes us to a time when Elijah finds himself in this very situation. Sent by God to a widow, living in a time of severe drought, was down to her last handful of meal and just enough oil to make one more meal for her and her son. It is a beautiful story of both faith and obedience and there is much we can learn from it today. Gotquestions.org describes the insights like this:

“First, God often uses unlikely people and sources to accomplish His purposes. Second, God’s mercy extends to all people, both Jews and Gentiles, and the Sidonian widow was blessed for her faith (see Acts 10:34–35). Third, God requires faith (Hebrews 11:6). The widow’s miracle only came after she prepared a meal for Elijah—an act of sincere faith on her part.?

Gotquestions.org/The widow of Zarephath

The widow of Zarephath serves as an example of the many promises God has made to us, if only we will simply trust & obey Him.

She, Volume 1/p68
The More We Know

For a wonderful synopsis of Elijah’s encounter with the widow and her son, you will want to visit the link below, from gotquestions.org, and read how Elijah was fed, the woman’s faith was tested, and the widow’s son, though dead, was made alive.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

Reflection and Application

Take a minute when you’re done reading to tell us what the testimony of the Widow of Zarephath means to you. You can share your answer/thoughts in the comment section below.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Elijah-widow.html

Posted in Bible study

The Virtuous Woman

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Adapted from She, Volume 1/p 61-64

Read: Proverbs 31

When she speaks, her words are wise,and she gives instructions with kindness.

Proverbs 31:26

Dear Reader, let me preface this post by saying something I needed to hear before I could even begin to write this post. Actually, when I turned the page of the study guide, I cringed. Seriously. I even began to think about how I could skirt past it or who in my Facebook group I could ask to facilitate this one, so I wouldn’t have to. After all, I’m divorced – who am I to speak to a passage that centers around a woman with a husband? I’ve wrestled with this before and have often skipped over it or missed a gathering where I knew being a wife would be, at the very least, a portion of the subject, and another reminder that I had failed in that part of my life.

This time, however, I found myself typing into the Google search bar on my computer: “Can a divorced woman benefit from Proverbs 31?” I was pleasantly surprised and extremely pleased, if not excited, to find this answer: “Yes, a divorced woman can absolutely benefit from and embody the principles of Proverbs 31.” The answer went on to explain, “While the passage describes a woman with a husband and children, the core message is not about having a perfect nuclear family, but about cultivating a life of noble character, wisdom, and strength in any circumstance.” What a blessed and encouraging perspective of truth.

“Yes, a divorced woman can absolutely benefit from and embody the principles of Proverbs 31.”

AI Overview

Please understand that I am not putting all my hope or comfort in this one computer-generated answer. However, it did help me to read the passage with fresh eyes, and a heart and mind that did not shrink away at the word ‘husband’ – for it is one word in a sea of others. I’m guessing that I’m not the only one who has ever squirmed when coming to this chapter. Even as I read through it now, I’m realizing that the very words “virtuous woman” can be a challenge, let alone the 24 characteristics listed. They’re listed in the next paragraph ~ let’s read them out loud letting a picture form in our minds of what a woman of noble character looks like and how she might cultivate that character with wisdom and find strength in any circumstance. (it helps to insert the phrase “she is” before each characteristic listed)

SHE IS …

a woman whose worth is far above rubies…trusted by her husband…faithful to her husband…a woman who works willingly with her hands…resourceful…a woman who rises with purpose…a woman who considers things before making decisions…physically strong…a woman who shines her light…diligent to labor…a woman who reaches out to others…a woman who is covered by the blood of Jesus…clothed in service…a woman who serves with her husband…a woman who delivers the Gospel…spiritually strong and honorable…a woman who speaks kindly…a woman who has no time for idleness…blessed and praised…a woman who excels by wisdom…a woman who makes choosing to fear the Lord her priority…a woman who leaves a legacy ~

Friends, regardless of whether our title in this life includes virtuous, single, married, divorced, widow, or mother ~ as women of faith we are all called to be found as women who live lives pleasing to God, loving Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, loving others as Christ has loved us, being His light to the world around us and making disciples as we go. I believe rather than steering clear of this passage, it will be a passage I make a more regular part of my life so that I am reminded often of what I should strive to become while I wait on His return.

The virtuous woman serves as an example of what we should strive to become with the help of the Lord.

She, Volume 1, p 64
Reflection and Application
  • How can you be more like the Virtuous Woman?
  • Who and what do you think play key roles in developing the qualities of a virtuous woman?
The More We Know

There is one key element that we must have if we truly hope to be a woman of ‘noble character” ~ and that is a relationship with God through Faith in His Son, Jesus. If you do not know Jesus or have a relationship with the Father, please take a minute to read “Know These Truths.” If you have any questions or would like to talk about how to take this step please private message me or leave me a comment – I have a free gift I would love to share with you.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

The Syrophenician Woman

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Adapted from She, Volume 1, p 57-58

Read: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:25-26

This passage can often be misunderstood or taken out of context, so to help us not fall into this trap, I am starting off with some helpful commentary from bibleref.com:

In a further effort to withdraw from crowds, Jesus has withdrawn from Israel entirely. He has travelled into pagan Gentile territory east of Galilee. Even here, though, it seems He is known at least by some. This is somewhat ironic, as Jesus had earlier referred to this region of “Tyre and Sidon” in His criticism of Israel’s stubbornness (Matthew 11:20–24).

Here, a non-Israelite Canaanite woman comes to Him. She is crying, and she asks Jesus for mercy, addressing Him as Lord and Son of David. This woman’s reference indicates she knows something about Israel and Judaism. She tells Christ that her daughter is severely oppressed by a demon. His response seems confusing, at first, but proves to have an important lesson attached (Matthew 15:23, 28).

Demon oppression and possession were common around the known world of this era. The existence of demons was not debated. Too many people had seen a person oppressed by a demon to doubt it. Various symptoms of demon oppression witnessed in the New Testament include drastic personality change, refusal to wear clothes, supernatural strength, violent actions, illness, being mute or deaf, and intentional self-harm.

Bibleref.com/Matthew 15:22

I love the way the study guide outlines the woman’s actions:

  • She cried unto the Lord…
    • She was a mother and desperate for someone to help her daughter.
  • She fell at His feet in humble desperation…
    • She was a Canaanite, a gentile, yet she addresses Jesus as the “Son of David,” indicating that she knew He was the Messiah of Israel.
  • She did not receive an answer immediately…
    • Jesus seemingly pays no attention to her.
  • She kept praying…
    • His silence doesn’t deter her; if anything, it only makes her cry out all the more, so much so that Scripture says the disciples were bothered by her cries for help.
      • It’s unclear if the disciples wanted Jesus to send her away without helping her. More likely, they wanted the Master to heal the woman’s child, so she’d go away and leave them alone (Luke 18:1–8).1
  • She persistently prayed for her need…
    • Whether it was desperation for her daughter or a deep faith in Jesus, or both ~ the waiting did not shake her faith!
      • Perhaps it was because of the disciples concern over her annoyance, or maybe it was the persistence of the woman, whatever the reason – Jesus answers her, explaining: “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep ~ the people of Israel.” – When the woman persisted by worshiping Him and pleading again for His help, Jesus responds with words that would have, at the very least, been hurtful for the woman to hear, and often a portion of the passage that is “taken out of context, making it seem derogatory, or even hateful. It’s neither: Jesus has a purpose for this dialogue (Matthew 15:28).2”
        • The suggested purpose by the commentator is that “Christ’s intent, apparently, was to test the woman’s commitment to her request, and her faith in Him.” Which, by their continued dialogue, we see is exactly what happened.

26 Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.” 28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Matthew 16:26-28

The final observation, and what I believe is one of the best takeaways of the study, cannot be said any better than this: “The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.”

The Syrophenician Woman serves as an example of how we should be persistent in our faith.

She, volume 1/p58
Reflection/Application
  • What are you persistently praying about? What could you or should you be persistently praying about?
    • Consider this encouragement from Matthew 7:7
      • Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
        • “Some commentators suggest these words imply a progression. It’s possible that ‘asking’ means making a request, ‘seeking’ implies persistence or fervor, and ‘knocking’ represents continued and ongoing persistence.” bibleref.com

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, She, Volume 1

Phoebe

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Romans 16

Phoebe is only mentioned once in the Bible, here in Romans 16:1-2, where Paul introduces her as a sister in the faith and a servant in the church, and then encourages the Church at Rome to:

…welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and provide her with whatever help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many, including me.

Romans 16:1-2

One of the things I like about what is known of Phoebe is that she has a willing spirit. One example the study guide points out is that, although she was from Corinth, she had journeyed to Rome to help in some way, and Paul was recommending her for the task, and suggesting that the church help her.

The KJV uses the word “succourer” to describe Phoebe (16:2). It is far easier and understandable to use the word helper, as many of the other translations do. However, in order to understand and appreciate Phoebe’s true character and why Paul was encouraging the church to welcome and support her, we must understand that she was someone who offered practical help and support, or even rescue. She wasn’t just known to help one but many…helping, supporting, rescuing, delivering, assisting as she saw the need.

Gotquestions.org provides a helpful description of Phoebe that I believe you will find both encouraging and inspiring. Check it out: https://www.gotquestions.org/Phoebe-in-the-Bible.html

With Paul’s glowing reference to Phoebe, I believe we can confidently agree with the study guide’s statement that, “Phoebe serves as an example that when we serve the LORD, our labor is not in vain.”

Reflection and Application
  • What characteristics of Phoebe would you like to have?