Do you ever wonder just who is in charge? Tonight's podcast is a look at the story of Elijah calling fire from heaven in 2nd Kings 1:1-17 and how it presents the Almighty God. The Podcast is available on the podcast page at: http://reason2believehim.libsyn.com/ or on the player below.
| | Theme Music:
"I Choose to Praise You"
Used by permission from Mark Snyder
Written by Mark Snyder of Tree Hill Collective
http://www.weekendwarriorworship.com/www-artist-weekend-warrior-worship/
http://treehillcollective.com/
Vocals by Helene Immel
https://www.facebook.com/Heleneimmelofficial
Tree Hill Collective’s music may be purchased at:
Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ITCAB8/ref=dm_dp_adp?ie=UTF8&qid=1331706018&sr=8-3
ITunes-
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-redemption-ep/id509287455
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I am the "wise women" of the wandering Jews who spun ornate curtains for the temple.
I am the daughters of Israel, who were hired as cooks and bakers in the palace of the king.
I am the young widow Ruth, harvesting crops to support myself and my mother-in-law.
I am Huldah the Prophetess. Though my husband had a good job as a tailor, I also worked outside our home as a college professor, which provided us, among other things, room and board at the college. My devoutness earned me the respect of priests, who consulted with me about God's will.
I am Lydia, a businesswoman with an eye for a "good thing." I recognized at once the truth of the gospel message an Asian missionary brought across the Aegean Sea to Philippi. I became the first convert in Europe, supported the ministry, and founded the first church in my home.
I am all these women. I am a career mom.
These women found me, respectively in Exodus 35:25-26, I Samuel 8:13, Ruth 2:7, II Kings 22:14, and Acts 16:14. I wasn't looking for them. I was just going to church, dealing with my reality as a single mom, and feeling the burn of the then stereotypical lack of acceptance the church had for working women. Notice even the term "working woman" has its own negative connotations. 8/ I felt like I was damned if I didn't work, and damned if I did, so to speak. I was doing "the right thing" and being told I was wrong by well meaning people. But, I continued to read my Bible, and understood that God does not see things as we do. Fortunately, today many people are laying aside those stereotypes, and most men admit their biggest fear about their wives working is that their wives will quit. :) The economy has a way of cleaning or clogging our ethics it seems.
But, I felt so bad about not being the image projected of the "Pentecostal Woman," a picture I looked nothing like, that one Mother's Day morning I found myself dreading going to church. I just knew the Pastor would preach about that Proverbs 31 Woman again. I couldn't stand her...she was so darn perfect. I would have liked to get my hands around her neck. But, this Pastor was a true man of God. He had his ears to Heaven's throne. And, of course, God knew my heart. I drug myself to church, to hear what a lousy woman I was again, to find a very different message about the P31 Woman. I was astounded as he went through the chapter, showing how she worked outside the home, bought and sold property with her own money, AND was a pride to her family. I was shocked to see she was a woman like me...not like that old lady on the magazine sitting in her garden, wiling away her days in the house while her husband worked.
Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She has a monetary value put on her worth. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. He doesn't have to take a second job, but is relieved to come home to a woman who will be a true helpmate. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She is a Home Builder. She builds up instead of tearing down her family. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She makes investments in textiles, and makes a profit on handspun goods. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She goes shopping and orders online to get a good deal :) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She gets up before daylight and puts a roast in the crockpot so dinner will be ready when she gets home from work. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She bought and sold property with her own money...smart enough to know real estate value. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Maybe she pumped weights and kept herself in shape at the gym because she knew that was important :) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She stayed up late because she knew a lot of people were counting on her. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She had her own paycheck and wasn't stingy, but gave to the poor. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She knew where to buy the best clothes and materials. Second rate wasn't good enough for her family. She dressed them with care because she was a provider, and cost was no object when it came to her loved ones. I love this part! Go shopping ladies, it's in the Bible! She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She dresses nicely and is not afraid to look good for her man. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. The men who work with her husband respect him for having this woman and her husband is proud that this smart, beautiful lady is his wife. How lucky he is to have her. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She has her goods in stores all over town. Her merchandise is a household name. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. People listen when she speaks, and she speaks kindly to all. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. The most important quality she possesses is that she fears God. All the other things named can be taken away, but her faith in God will keep her through all circumstances. Then, even if her career, her husband, her children, her money is taken, she knows she will still be praiseworthy. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Give her her paycheck and let her enjoy the fruit of her labor all her life, because she works for it.
This Mother's Day, I hope all of you know what you are worth as Mothers. Happy Mother's Day woman! And, if your children get tired of being told what to do, remind them that Jesus did too, but in the end, even God did what His Mom told Him to do. :)
John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
*I featured this blog by the same name 1 year ago on the night before Mother's Day. I thought it was worth sharing again.
Under siege for what had seemed an eternity, surrounded by the enemy, lay God's City Jerusalem in the last year of its sovereignty. They had been besieged so long now that the food supply had run out, and they were starving to death, like mice caught in a deadly trap. And when the lights in the heavens were doused, the soldiers deserted the city, charging right through the ranks of enemy soldiers. They abandoned all they had to the enemy. I imagine some ran for the safety of the mountains, some for the cover of water. The King, Zedekiah, chose the easy route for his escape... the plains. He was an open target and easily apprehended by the army of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.
2 Kings 25:3-30 (condensed) ...the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no food for the people of the land. And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain. And the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army was scattered from him. So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they pronounced judgment upon him. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of bronze, and carried him to Babylon...
...And he burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burned he with fire. And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls of Jerusalem round about. Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carry away. But the captain of the guard left some of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and farmers. And the pillars of bronze that were in the house of the LORD, and the stands, and the bronze sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldeans break in pieces, and carried their bronze to Babylon...
...And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: And out of the city he took an officer that was in charge over the men of war, and five men of them that had been in the king's presence, who were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the army, who mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city: And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah: And the king of Babylon struck them down, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath.
So Judah was carried away out of their land. And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah... govenor.
And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael ...and Jaazaniah...they and their men. And Gedaliah swore to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you. But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael...of the royal family, came, and ten men with him, and struck down Gedaliah, so that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldeans that were with him at Mizpah. And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldeans. And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah ... that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison; And he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon; And changed his prison garments: and he did eat food regularly before him all the days of his life. And his allowance was a regular allowance given him from the king, a daily portion for every day, all the days of his life.
With his army scattered to the four winds, the king was overtaken, essentially alone, as an uncovered chess piece in the final plays of a badly outmaneuvered game.
My Thompson Chain notes head this final chapter of the Kings with the simple note,
"Jerusalem besieged, Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, and his eyes put out, etc."
That is a vast etc. there my friends. Imagine that you have achieved all you ever dreamed of in life, and your kingdom crumbles before you in one night. The last sight that you see in your natural life is your children being executed before your eyes. They were supposed to inherit all that you had built. Now they are gone and you are haunted with the memories of their screams and the bloodshed before your own face. Then, you are taken into a lifetime of bondage, and treated as a political prisoner. Imagine some distant Abu Ghraib, some torture cells.
Such was the lot of Zedekiah the King of Jerusalem. What followed was much like Sherman's march to the sea. The mansions were torched by Captain Nebuzar-adan, and the rich and strong men taken captive. The temple was burned to the ground. All the temple's gold, bronze, and silver artifacts were carried away to Babylon. The priests and chief leaders were executed. All that remained in the city were the poor, uneducated, and unambitious, for the most part. These were left to farm the land as tribute for Babylon. An Israelite named Gedaliah was set up as Governor by the Captain of Babylon. Even though he was an Israelii, his power was given to him by Babylon, and he was essentially a traitor to his country. He met with the two chief men over the families remaining, Ishmael and Jaazaniah, and offered to rule them respectfully if they would submit to his authority.
This seemed to work out for awhile. Probably seven months later though, one of the two men, Ismael, led an attack against the Israelite Governor and assassinated him. Many of them fled to Egypt, where they lived as refugees. It seems they grew tired of Governor Gedeliah's "kindness." Babylonian rule must have been harsh for them to prefer to abandon all they owned for freedom and political asylum in Egypt, etc. But, about this time, the King of Babylon died and there was a regime change. Evil-merodach, the next King treated the captives in Babylon much better, and even brought Israel's blinded King out of prison, and treated him kindly until his death, feeding him well. Day in and day out, the former King sat at the table of captivity, dining in darkness from the meat of a strange King who he had never seen. As the meat was passed, and he took it in his gaunt, wasted fingers, the image seared on his brain was of the dying spectacle of his sons and their final screams.
What strikes me is the deal Governor Gedeliah made in Israel with the two leaders. Jaazaniah reportedly never complained, and he is not recorded as taking part in the overthrow of the governor. But, Ishmael wouldn't stand for it at all. He had enough I guess. You can only push some men so far before they will "take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them." (Shakespeare, To Be or Not to Be)
What is it you want from God? What are your hopes and dreams? Do you just want to be well fed? Or do you want to reach all that awaits you in the Kingdom? Has your position in the Kingdom been seized from you, etc. etc. etc.? Those are awful big et ceteras. You have the choice of accepting your losses, pulling up to the table, and dining in darkness, or step away from the devil's table and refuse to die in captivity. How can you live like men of God if you sacrifice your freedom in the Spirit? Etc.
Joe Paterno is in an unfortunate situation at Penn State. He was fired by phone this morning. It is often easy to see a great leader's effect on those around him. The students are in turmoil as we see from the rioting. The university is surely devastated by the crimes that have been committed and the suffering of the victims. I think the whole situation could have been handled better by the leadership of the university. The fact that they handpicked who would be removed and who would not, instead of removing everyone involved shows evidence of further ignoring criminal acts. Of course, Joe Paterno has been held accountable for his position in this tragedy. Leadership has responsibility.
2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the
chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took
hold of his own clothes, and tore them in two pieces.
This passage in the Bible is one of the most beautiful speeches or eulogies I have heard in my life. I wrote the other night about Elisha's love for Elijah as a mentor in the blog titled, "Hey Baldy! You Think You Gonna Get Raptured Too?!" But, I think the metaphor chosen by Elisha brings out exactly the impact Elijah's life and death had on Israel, and we know that Elisha had vision enough to see this.
Chariot -(Hebrew) rekeb reh'-keb
a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by
analogy a rider, i.e. the upper millstone:--chariot, (upper) millstone,
multitude (from the margin), wagon.
Horsemen -(Hebrew) parash paw-rawsh'
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for
mounting (compare 5483)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e.
(collectively) cavalry:--horseman.
Both a chariot and the horsemen are vehicles. But, a chariot specifically carries. Elijah was seen as the wheels of his organization. He brought motion to the people in a religious sense. He put wheels on the Spirit of the country. He carried them to greatness. A chariot is like the undercarriage or chasis of an automobile. It is essential to support. Meaningful movement is not going to take place without this support. In the same way, a body with no skeleton can not have meaningful movement.
The horsemen, or the horsepower of the chariot, is much like the engine of an automobile. Elisha saw Elijah as the force that drove Israel. Note that the Spirit is what drives the individual person. Elijah was the one man in Elisha's eyes who embodied the Spirit of Israel. Elijah was both the support and the driving force of Israel. This is an amazing credit to the man.
2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha had fallen sick of his sickness of which he died.
And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and
said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.
Fastforward sixty years into the future to Elisha's deathbed, for he did not "go up like Elijah." Once again some young man is there beside him as he prepares to leave Earth, one with enough vision to see that Israel is losing their locomotion and driving force. The exact same eulogy delivered by Elisha is spoken at his death bed for him. And, of course, the eulogy includes the title "My Father." I wait till last to add this to the eulogy because it brings in so much more of what a great leader can be. Your father is the source of life. He is the one who gave you existance. Your mother is the vehicle alone. But, your own spirit is the engine that keeps you moving. Here in this one eulogy, Elisha and Elijah were credited with having the role of mother and father and spirit of Israel.
They are beautiful words, and I believe they were well founded and rightfully spoken. But, that is not the real story here. Sadly, you can't help but notice that the man who spoke the words to Elisha at his deathbed was not asking for an inheritance. He was not taking up Elisha's dropped cloak of the Spirit. He had only been king for one year and was just a young man, possibly onlly eight years old. He was seven when he began to reign. Yet, he had lived long enough to witness the slaughter of his whole family. He knew what war was and he took the throne in a coup, led by the High Priest. So, he was well aware of the violence of his kingdom around him. How much more should he have been aware of the threat from outside the kingdom?
2 Kings 13:15-19 records that Elisha gave Joash a prophecy before he died there that day. There must have been a desire inside of Elisha to mentor the young King, who hadn't asked for an inheritance. Yet, he knew the right words to say. Imagine that! An eight year old boy knew the exact words Elisha had spoken when Elijah was taken up. He had heard the story many times from his Spiritual advisor's own lips. He knew the Words. But, he didn't ask for the double portion. Why?! What is wrong with this picture?
Elisha wanted to help the young man. He knew the crown would be a heavy burden for a man who was Spiritually weak. So, Elisha told Joash to take up his bow and shoot an arrow out the window toward the East. Joash must have been handy with the bow and the shot was good. Elisha was happy with his aim. He pronounces that Joash will surely be able to win a few battles against the Syrians in the East with an aim like that. Then Elisha tells the boy to take the arrows in his hand and to strike the ground. He didn't tell him how many times to strike the floor, just to strike. This was a test to measure the boy's stamina, his endurance, his passion for victory. The boy struck the ground three times and stopped.
Elisha was disappointed that Joash stopped so quickly. He wanted to see an enthusiastic show of gung-ho readiness to take the reins. This did not happen. Joash gave up to quick. Elisha told him that he should have struck the ground five or six times. Elisha knew it would take repeated wars to subdue Syria. The fact was, Joash was not like Elijah or Elisha. There would be neither a chariot to carry Israel, nor horsemen to lead them into the coming thirty years. Joash would eventually turn to idolatry and Israel would eventually fall into captivity, without Spiritual leadership.
Interestingly, the name Paterno means Father-figure, and Joe Paterno was certainly a father figure to many young men. It is sad to see the reins taken from his hands. As he himself has said in the past, "Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy
your hunger, but it won't taste good." -Joe Paterno
EJ: "Stay here"
ES: "I will not leave you."
( Both walk 10 miles in the dust.)
SP1: "Don't you know?"
ES: "Yes, I know it... just be quiet!"
EJ: "Stay here"
ES: "I will not leave you."
(Both walk 20 miles more in the heat of the day.)
SP2: "Don't you know?"
ES: "Yes, I know it... just be quiet!"
EJ: "Stay here"
ES: "I will not leave you."
As long as God is alive and you are alive, I will not leave you... such stirring words, rivaling even Ruth's words to Naomi. Yes, this is the intensity with which Elisha pursued his mentor. Such love! After the 30 mile hike from Gilgal to Bethel, and from Bethel to Jerico, and after the third profession of undying loyalty, the sons of the prophets in Jerico didn't question Elisha anymore about his intelligence. They just all stood on the front lawn of the campus and watched the headmaster and his favorite student walk out to the Jordon River alone. The dust flew in the distance, and the sun beat down from the sky.
Miraculously, Elijah folded his cloak and, like a matador in the arena he waved it across the water, then they both crossed over with dry feet. The aged mentor turned to his follower and asked just exactly what it was he wanted from him, desiring to be certain of Elisha's motives, whether they were truly rooted in love for his master as it seemed. The student unashamedly admited he was after an inheritance... the firstborn blessing of a double portion... of Elijah's Spirit. Imagine the audacity to admit that he wanted to be more than just like Elijah... twice the man he was! Imagine the pride and love Elijah must have felt to have this son in the Spirit.
Elijah had no family, no wife, no children, but this son in the Spirit. Indeed, Elisha had no Father but Elijah, since we saw him leave his Father and Mother in 1 Kings 19:20 to follow Elijah. So, you can imagine the sadness Elisha must have felt when he saw his teacher go up into the skies, raptured in a whirlwind right in front of his eyes. Like a son driven to follow in his Father's footsteps, Elisha bravely picked up the mantle Elijah dropped to him and turned back to divide the waters of the Jordon again. "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?" he called. God answered by parting the water. Returning to the Prophet school where the others were waiting, he told them what had happened. But, they took a search party looking for Elijah anyways.
Later, returning on the way that he and Elijah had come from Bethel earlier, he walked alone. The story of Elijah's private rapture had spread fast. A mob of children from the city apparantly ran in the wilderness like urchins in London's streets in the nineteenth century, for many saw him and began to taunt him. They began to shout, "Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head." This had to torment his lonely soul, for how he must have wished he could have gone up with Elijah! Elisha called on the name of God, and suddenly two mamma bears came out of the woods and killed 42 of the children. It is not a good thing to mock God.
I know that today we have many who speak of knowing the day and the hour of Jesus' return in the sky to take His children home. But, the Bible says no man knows the time. Matthew 24:36 this leads many more than before to doubt Jesus' return, and to mock true believers. The other students mocked Elisha. The children mocked Elisha. But, Elisha had seen Elijah go up with his own eyes. An eyewitness account can not be refuted.
And, what did Elisha have to show for his witness? He received a double portion... the firstborn blessing. Noteworthy is the fact that the Bible records twice as many miracles for Elisha as Elijah. It was one short when Elisha was buried. But, later a dead man was buried in the pit with him in a hurry and the moment he touched Elisha's bones, he was resurrected. This made the count double, and Elisha carried the Spirit of Elijah, which will one day bring his bones from the grave, up with Elijah.
Pop Quiz!
If you are interested, give these questions about the "three kings" of the unified nation of Israel a try.
1. Why did God give Israel a king at the time He did?
2. Was it God’s intention for them to ever have a king?
3. How did Saul qualify to be king?
4. What caused Saul to lose his kingdom?
5.How was Saul constantly humiliated?
6. How was David different from Saul?
7. Why was Saul jealous of David?
8. What was David’s great desire, and when did it come to pass?
9. What books authored by Solomon reveal the downward progression in his life? Put them in order.
10. How many Proverbs and songs did Solomon write?
My answers to these thought questions are below. (Possibilities vary.)
Click Here to compare. --------------------------------------------------------->
“Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my arrows of desire;
Bring me my spear; O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of Fire!”
William Blake wrote these stirring words. I don’t know what to think of the Apocrypha or its claims that Jesus toured England as a young man. Theologians through the ages did not accept the Apocryphial books as inspired, therefore they are not included in our Biblical canon.
Regardless of whether or not Jesus ever walked on England’s soil in flesh, His Spirit walks the hills even of North Georgia, and I think that was certainly Blake’s intent with the poem, which was made into the Anthem Jerusalem, and in turn featured on the later movie Chariot’s of Fire. The movie is a story of two runners and their faith in God, and their pursuit of excellence.
John referred to heaven as the “New Jerusalem” in the glory of his penultimate vision. Blake’s words approach the beauty of John’s, even if they aren’t divinely inspired. The New Jerusalem is being built in the hearts and minds of God’s children here in the spirit world, by the approach of Jesus’ Kingdom. And, He’s not hitting the brakes yet.
I certainly can see my God driving a Chariot of Fire! :) Psalm 68:17 This passage in Psalms can give you the idea that God drives chariots. The chariot metaphor in the anthem is definitely an allusion to the rapture of Elijah. And, obviously if God wasn’t in the driver’s seat of that Chariot, it definitely came from His Angelic Fleet, and He certainly sent the whirlwind that snatched up Elijah! 2 Kings 2:11
God can and does choose to reveal Himself gloriously to the eyes of man, and He most certainly can and will use miraculous intervention to perform His divine will. But, it’s a given that more of God’s will is carried out by these feet of clay God calls "Adam" than through miracles.
Think about it…God wants most to use me and you as His chariots of fire. We all have our limits and failings, but what do you think brings God the most glory, driving Golden Chariots or using our limited flesh to move His Spirit? We are the body of Christ, we are His hands and feet, and (if the angels are his chariots) we can be His chariots as well.
Oh, but don’t you find yourself consumed with His fire? Like Jeremiah cried after a night in jail for merely speaking the truth, it’s like fire in my bones. Jeremiah 20:9 Here is a larger part of Blake’s epic poem titled Milton: A Poem (1804.) The tune Jerusalem is now playing and the video is a segment of Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee known as “the blade runner.” He reminds me of the dichotomy of God running on feet of clay...we chariots of fire. Oscar embodies the spirit of a Chariot of Fire. He houses fire in his soul that will only be satisfied by running. May I yet be more contemptible than this before the Lord. 2 Kings 6:17
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!
I will not cease from Mental Fight
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land.
I am the "wise women" of the wandering Jews who spun ornate curtains for the temple.
I am the daughters of Israel, who were hired as cooks and bakers in the palace of the king.
I am the young widow Ruth, harvesting crops to support myself and my mother-in-law.
I am Huldah the Prophetess. Though my husband had a good job as a taylor, I also worked outside our home as a college professor, which provided us, among other things, room and board at the college. My devoutness earned me the respect of priests, who consulted with me about God's will.
I am Lydia, a businesswoman with an eye for a "good thing." I recognized at once the truth of the gospel message an Asian missionary brought across the Aegean Sea to Philippi. I became the first convert in Europe, supported the ministry, and founded the first church in my home.
I am all these women. I am a career mom.
These women found me, respectively in Exodus 35:25-26, I Samuel 8:13, Ruth 2:7, II Kings 22:14, and Acts 16:14. I wasn't looking for them. I was just going to church, dealing with my reality as a single mom, and feeling the burn of the then stereotypical lack of acceptance the church had for working women. Notice even the term "working woman" has its own negative connotations. 8/ I felt like I was damned if I didn't work, and damned if I did, so to speak. I was doing "the right thing" and being told I was wrong by well meaning people. But, I continued to read my Bible, and understood that God does not see things as we do. Fortunately, today many people are laying aside those stereotypes, and most men admit their biggest fear about their wives working is that their wives will quit. :) The economy has a way of cleaning or clogging our ethics it seems.
But, I felt so bad about not being the image projected of the "Pentecostal Woman," a picture I looked nothing like, that one Mother's Day morning I found myself dreading going to church. I just knew the Pastor would preach about that Proverbs 31 Woman again. I couldn't stand her...she was so darn perfect. I would have liked to get my hands around her neck. But, this Pastor was a true man of God. He had his ears to Heaven's throne. And, of course, God knew my heart. I drug myself to church, to hear what a lousy woman I was again, to find a very different message about the P31 Woman. I was astounded as he went through the chapter, showing how she worked outside the home, bought and sold property with her own money, AND was a pride to her family. I was shocked to see she was a woman like me...not like that old lady on the magazine sitting in her garden, wiling away her days in the house while her husband worked.
Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She has a monetary value put on her worth. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. He doesn't have to take a second job, but is relieved to come home to a woman who will be a true helpmate. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She is a Home Builder. She builds up instead of tearing down her family. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She makes investments in textiles, and makes a profit on handspun goods. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She goes shopping and orders online to get a good deal :) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She gets up before dayliht and puts a roast in the crockpot so dinner will be ready when she gets home from work. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She bought and sold property with her own money...smart enough to know real estate value. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. Maybe she pumped weights and kept herself in shape at the gym because she knew that was important :) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She stayed up late because she knew a lot of people were counting on her. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She had her own paycheck and wasn't stingy, but gave to the poor. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She knew where to buy the best clothes and materials. Second rate wasn't good enough for her family. She dressed them with care because she was a provider, and cost was no object when it came to her loved ones. I love this part! Go shopping ladies, it's in the Bible! She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. She dresses nicely and is not afraid to look good for her man. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. The men who work with her husband respect him for having this woman and her husband is proud that this smart, beautiful lady is his wife. How lucky he is to have her. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. She has her goods in stores all over town. Her merchandise is a household name. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. People listen when she speaks, and she speaks kindly to all. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. The most important quality she possesses is that she fears God. All the other things named can be taken away, but her faith in God will keep her through all circumstances. Then, even if her career, her husband, her children, her money is taken, she knows she will still be praiseworthy. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Give her her paycheck and let her enjoy the fruit of her labor all her life, because she works for it.
This Mother's Day, I hope all of you know what you are worth as Mothers. Happy Mother's Day woman! And, if your children get tired of being told what to do, remind them that Jesus did too, but in the end, even God did what His Mom told Him to do. :)
John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
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