I love my pastor. Not only is he a nice person, but he is a Godly man. He "walks the walk" and teaches us how to do so.
Does your pastor challenge you each week as he speaks from the pulpit? Do you come away from his messages thinking about what he has to say, and changing some aspect of you life? My pastor does challenge us, he teaches us what Scripture says about Godly living, and I go home thinking (and praying) about how to live a life that is more Christ-centered. I come away wanting to be more obedient to the things of Christ.
I have heard the Word of God. I think that is a big part of why Scripture tells us to "gather together. ' We hear Gods word. "Hearing" is the key word here. Over and over in Scripture we are reminded that the world must 'hear' the word. The "world" includes you and me. If we hear, there must be a reason...we are not just to be entertained, but the hearing must lead to some application to our lives, to help us live more as Jesus would have us live here on earth.
Why hear the word? To learn what God has to say to us, and to learn how to live in the ungodly world around us. Our actions, our activities, our works do not draw us closer to God; because we love God we should want to be different, live differently from the world.
Now, if you do not feel challenged - if you do not come away from his messages thinking about how to apply what you have heard to you own life...two things may be the reason:
1) His message is faulty. He may not preach in such a way to challenge you. I have moved around the country several times in the past six years. I have had several different pastors. Not all are powerful, 'pound the pulpit' preacers, but they have told the truth, and have told us how to live Godly lives. Powerful or puney in delivery, these men have challenged us and told us what the Word of God says about living in this sinful world.
Many pastors today do not want to upset the congregation - they only want to 'tickle the ears' of the hearers. They may believe they must be politically correct in everything they say, and not offend any one. If you ave a pastor like that you might seriously consider looking for another Bible believing church that preaches the truth - not just 'feel good', messages. Yes, our leaders are to encourage us to live in this world, and to get us through the next seven days until we come together again, but he is also to reprove and correct us....so... if you are not being challenged...it might be his fault.
2) Not challenged? It might not be the fault of the pastor - it might be your fault. Why you go to church? For most of us it is our weekly routine - we forget that the reason that we go to worship service is just that - to worship our LORD. We actually go into the presence of God. He wants us to gather together for some reason...to speak to us.
Do you come away from the service thinking about what was said. Many times we walk away thinking, "He isn't talking about me," or " I don't agree with what he was saying."
Maybe the fault is ours. If we love our leader and believe that he is a man of God - then we really ought to pay attention to what he is saying.
What do you do while he is preaching? Have you ever thought about taking notes? If you were sitting in a class to learn a new skill you would probably take notes...for two reasons - not to forget what was said, and, to study those notes for the test that would be given. Taking notes helps to keep you focused.
Maybe paying attention in worship service, even taking notes, would help us understand, and be able to remember what was said that day.
What about the attitude of our hearts? Do we come to service with the expectation of learning how to live a more Godly life? Do we come wanting to change our actions so that we are more like Jesus every day?
If you are not challenged each week by your Pastor's message - either get a new pastor, or get a new attitude. Pray Pray Pray.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Gods Words to Women
Instructions from God’s Word for Women
A Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study
Lets see how the SLL technique can be used to study a ‘theme.’ What does Scripture says to women about attitude and actions?
Titus Chapter 2; 1 Tim.2:8-15; 1 Tim.5:3-16.
These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Timothy was the pastor at Ephesis, Titus at Cyprus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?
DAY 1
STOP!
Stop to pray. These are verses specifically giving directions to women – telling women how to live the Christian life….in the early church….and today.
Read all the verses. Mark all words that you would like to research in detail. God gives many specific action words for women…do you really know what “slander”,” “reverent,” “discreet” mean. What about others?
Look for all the ‘because,’ ‘ for,’ (when it means because” and ‘but’ verses.
What other words will you ‘word search?’ For this study I will also word search___________________ and___________________________________.
“Look right, look left”. To get the general context, general discussion, you might read the verses directly before and after each of these sections of Scripture.
Day 2
LOOK!
Read the verses again. Research the words listed above in the STOP section.
Most of these verses are commands. We are commanded to live a certain way. Ask where these actions are to take place? Are these actions only to take place in church? Only at home?
Titus 2 What is ‘sound doctrine’ ? What about the verse that says ‘homemakers” and “love” their families?____________________________________________________________.
Day 3
I notice many “lists” of actions. Write them out.
Look for verses that explain “why” these actions are important, and what are the results of these actions will be. (Yes there are specific verses for these – Titus 2:5)
1 Tim 2:8-15 - why is attire mentioned?
Write out 1 Tim 2:10_______________________________________.
(For a side study, read the instructions for men and compare the lists. How are they similar? Different?)
DAY 4
Read the verses again. These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?
1. The secular, and church, world today is stressing that there is no equality for women in service to the church…..that men lord it over women and are more capable for service. The world says the Paul, the writer, did not like women and was always putting women in a subservient role. Do we see this in Scripture?______________________________________________________
2. WHY should women act in this manner in the home, or church….or in the work place?
3. Are these verses in any way indicating that women are weaker than men? Less able to serve God than men? That men are more important? Where does it say that men are the only ones capable for ministry? For service? ________________________________________________
We will NOT look at the “4 P’s” This is all “precept” (commands).
DAY 5
LISTEN!
What can we learn from these verses and apply to our lives.
1. How does 2 Tim 3:16-17 apply ______________________________________________
2. Why did God give us these verses_____________________________________________
3. What if we did not have these verses?__________________________________________
4. Are these verses for younger women only? Older women only? How does it apply to you TODAY?
5. What changes might you make in your life today from studying these verses.
One of the things that stands out for me is...older women teaching younger women. In many of our churches, cell groups, home groups, Sunday School classes (whatever you call them), are divided up by age. This is important for many reasons, but I have always thought that we need to bring women together of all ages to fellowship and study. Many younger women might need the touch from a godly older woman who has gone through many of the same life and spiritual struggles.
At the age of 42, when I was born again, I really needed some help. Right away my life changed at work, home, etc.... there was no one to help. I was at an overseas location and was one of the 'older' women around. I now know that God did bring one older women, Lois Calhoun, into my life in a passing way, some of the things she said to me, some action she taught me, are evident in my life every day. (For those who know me...I go out to study each day at a place away from home because Lois Calhoun told me that was how she studied) Thank you God from bringing me an 'older women' when I needed it most. Let me be an 'older woman' to some other young lady.
WOW!!!! How can I live up to all of this. Help me Jesus to be faithful to You, and grow to be more like you want me….every moment of every day.
A Stop! Look! Listen! Bible Study
Lets see how the SLL technique can be used to study a ‘theme.’ What does Scripture says to women about attitude and actions?
Titus Chapter 2; 1 Tim.2:8-15; 1 Tim.5:3-16.
These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Timothy was the pastor at Ephesis, Titus at Cyprus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?
DAY 1
STOP!
Stop to pray. These are verses specifically giving directions to women – telling women how to live the Christian life….in the early church….and today.
Read all the verses. Mark all words that you would like to research in detail. God gives many specific action words for women…do you really know what “slander”,” “reverent,” “discreet” mean. What about others?
Look for all the ‘because,’ ‘ for,’ (when it means because” and ‘but’ verses.
What other words will you ‘word search?’ For this study I will also word search___________________ and___________________________________.
“Look right, look left”. To get the general context, general discussion, you might read the verses directly before and after each of these sections of Scripture.
Day 2
LOOK!
Read the verses again. Research the words listed above in the STOP section.
Most of these verses are commands. We are commanded to live a certain way. Ask where these actions are to take place? Are these actions only to take place in church? Only at home?
Titus 2 What is ‘sound doctrine’ ? What about the verse that says ‘homemakers” and “love” their families?____________________________________________________________.
Day 3
I notice many “lists” of actions. Write them out.
Look for verses that explain “why” these actions are important, and what are the results of these actions will be. (Yes there are specific verses for these – Titus 2:5)
1 Tim 2:8-15 - why is attire mentioned?
Write out 1 Tim 2:10_______________________________________.
(For a side study, read the instructions for men and compare the lists. How are they similar? Different?)
DAY 4
Read the verses again. These verses are directions for two young church pastors….Timothy and Titus. Paul is telling them how to organize and run a church…..what do we see?
1. The secular, and church, world today is stressing that there is no equality for women in service to the church…..that men lord it over women and are more capable for service. The world says the Paul, the writer, did not like women and was always putting women in a subservient role. Do we see this in Scripture?______________________________________________________
2. WHY should women act in this manner in the home, or church….or in the work place?
3. Are these verses in any way indicating that women are weaker than men? Less able to serve God than men? That men are more important? Where does it say that men are the only ones capable for ministry? For service? ________________________________________________
We will NOT look at the “4 P’s” This is all “precept” (commands).
DAY 5
LISTEN!
What can we learn from these verses and apply to our lives.
1. How does 2 Tim 3:16-17 apply ______________________________________________
2. Why did God give us these verses_____________________________________________
3. What if we did not have these verses?__________________________________________
4. Are these verses for younger women only? Older women only? How does it apply to you TODAY?
5. What changes might you make in your life today from studying these verses.
One of the things that stands out for me is...older women teaching younger women. In many of our churches, cell groups, home groups, Sunday School classes (whatever you call them), are divided up by age. This is important for many reasons, but I have always thought that we need to bring women together of all ages to fellowship and study. Many younger women might need the touch from a godly older woman who has gone through many of the same life and spiritual struggles.
At the age of 42, when I was born again, I really needed some help. Right away my life changed at work, home, etc.... there was no one to help. I was at an overseas location and was one of the 'older' women around. I now know that God did bring one older women, Lois Calhoun, into my life in a passing way, some of the things she said to me, some action she taught me, are evident in my life every day. (For those who know me...I go out to study each day at a place away from home because Lois Calhoun told me that was how she studied) Thank you God from bringing me an 'older women' when I needed it most. Let me be an 'older woman' to some other young lady.
WOW!!!! How can I live up to all of this. Help me Jesus to be faithful to You, and grow to be more like you want me….every moment of every day.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Michal - First Wife of King David
1 Sam. 14:49; 18: 20-28; 19:11-17; 25:44; 2 Sam. 3:13-14; 6:16-23; 21:8
1 Chron. 15:29.
Michal was the first wife of King David – and she helped ‘save the seed.’
DAY 1
STOP!
Pray, asking God to guide your study.
Read all the verses marking your ‘special words.’ Mark “because” “for” when it means because, and ‘but.’ Also mark at least two of your favorite words. (If you do not have any idea what to look for, go back to the two previous studies, and use something from those lists.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)
For this study I also choose to word search __________________________ and ___________. Did you learn anything interesting?
Note any words or phrases that you do not fully understand, or would like to research. (You will research these tomorrow.)
DAY 2
LOOK!
Research the words that you noted above. Note the genealogy:
1 Sam 14:49. What might her relationship with her sister have been? Her brothers? Who were some of her brothers?
Her father? (Her life was like a modern-day soap opera!!)
DAY 3 The Marriage
David was given Michal for his wife as a reward for service. (Some say that Saul wanted to "keep his friends close, and his enemies closer.)
1 Sam.18:17-28 Scripture never indicates that David loved her in any way. This was common in ancient days – marriage made for political importance. I wonder how the women/men felt about this. Today our views of marriage are all about “love”.
David had many wives. Name two women(other wives) that Michal might have known in the palace. What might she have thought of them/their stories?
Here is another woman who was very much a part of Gods plan for Israel.Think of
all the things that Michal saw/heard/experienced, starting from the slaying of the giant. List a few:
DAY 4 Michal saves David
Here Michal “saved the seed.” How? What does this mean? I personally think this was the most important thing Michal did. Remember another wife, Abigail, who also ‘saved the seed?’ These two women showed themselves strong in times of great pressure and danger.)Abigail kept David from making the mistake of murdering her husband which would have gone against God. God may have taken David off of the throne for his actions. Michal saved Davids life - and the descendants of David (seed).
Note 1 Sam. 19:11-18: What was an idol/image doing in the house of the King of Israel?
Who was her father the King? Was he a positive role model to his family?
Poor Michal. She was in the middle between her father, the king, and her husband, the soon to be king. Scripture twice says that she loved David, she saved his life, yet when he danced before the Lord(2 Sam 6:16: 1 Chron. 15:29), she ‘despised’ him. Michal loathed, detested, David at this point. Do we have any idea why?
Does she seem spiritual in any way? Do we see her praying? How did her spirituality possibly affect her life decisions? Did she share the religious zeal of her husband?
2 Samuel 21:8 says Michal was the mother to some children. Perhaps she raised the children that her sister had. Michal is often called “the woman who never celebrated a mothers day.” Perhaps because of her distain for David.
We see the sad side of Michal. She was sent back and forth between men, (1 Sam 25:44)and twice it says “she loved David.” David wanted her back, but there is no indication that he loved her, perhaps it was just his pride that wanted her back. After all she had been given to him by King Saul, and now when he was king he wanted his possession back? How might she have felt?
Is there anything we can learn from her about “love and marriage and a baby in a carriage” from this story? Many say that the story of Ruth and Boaz is a love story. Is the story of Michal and David a love story?
DAY 5 LISTEN
Why study Michal? Have we learned anything about her that is worth spending time over? Is this story just the story of the two kings? Is she just a side story or can we learn something important from her.
Always answer our questions
1. How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to these verses?
2. What if these stories about Michal had been left out of Scripture.
3. What is God trying to teach us through these stories
4. What can we take from the story of Michal to use in 2010?
My own personal opinion is that this story was given to us to show the sovereignty of God. God had promised that the line of David would always be on the throne. Michael saved the very seed. Michael saved the life of David when she let him escape as her father sent men to kill him. She 'saved the seed.' Again, God uses a women, behind the scene, to fulfill His plan. Esther 'saved the seed.' Abigail 'saved the seed'. The midwives in Egypt 'saved the seed.'. The wife of the priest in the story of Athaliah 'saved the seed.'
The point? God uses women, behind the scene, for His plan and purpose.
1 Chron. 15:29.
Michal was the first wife of King David – and she helped ‘save the seed.’
DAY 1
STOP!
Pray, asking God to guide your study.
Read all the verses marking your ‘special words.’ Mark “because” “for” when it means because, and ‘but.’ Also mark at least two of your favorite words. (If you do not have any idea what to look for, go back to the two previous studies, and use something from those lists.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)
For this study I also choose to word search __________________________ and ___________. Did you learn anything interesting?
Note any words or phrases that you do not fully understand, or would like to research. (You will research these tomorrow.)
DAY 2
LOOK!
Research the words that you noted above. Note the genealogy:
1 Sam 14:49. What might her relationship with her sister have been? Her brothers? Who were some of her brothers?
Her father? (Her life was like a modern-day soap opera!!)
DAY 3 The Marriage
David was given Michal for his wife as a reward for service. (Some say that Saul wanted to "keep his friends close, and his enemies closer.)
1 Sam.18:17-28 Scripture never indicates that David loved her in any way. This was common in ancient days – marriage made for political importance. I wonder how the women/men felt about this. Today our views of marriage are all about “love”.
David had many wives. Name two women(other wives) that Michal might have known in the palace. What might she have thought of them/their stories?
Here is another woman who was very much a part of Gods plan for Israel.Think of
all the things that Michal saw/heard/experienced, starting from the slaying of the giant. List a few:
DAY 4 Michal saves David
Here Michal “saved the seed.” How? What does this mean? I personally think this was the most important thing Michal did. Remember another wife, Abigail, who also ‘saved the seed?’ These two women showed themselves strong in times of great pressure and danger.)Abigail kept David from making the mistake of murdering her husband which would have gone against God. God may have taken David off of the throne for his actions. Michal saved Davids life - and the descendants of David (seed).
Note 1 Sam. 19:11-18: What was an idol/image doing in the house of the King of Israel?
Who was her father the King? Was he a positive role model to his family?
Poor Michal. She was in the middle between her father, the king, and her husband, the soon to be king. Scripture twice says that she loved David, she saved his life, yet when he danced before the Lord(2 Sam 6:16: 1 Chron. 15:29), she ‘despised’ him. Michal loathed, detested, David at this point. Do we have any idea why?
Does she seem spiritual in any way? Do we see her praying? How did her spirituality possibly affect her life decisions? Did she share the religious zeal of her husband?
2 Samuel 21:8 says Michal was the mother to some children. Perhaps she raised the children that her sister had. Michal is often called “the woman who never celebrated a mothers day.” Perhaps because of her distain for David.
We see the sad side of Michal. She was sent back and forth between men, (1 Sam 25:44)and twice it says “she loved David.” David wanted her back, but there is no indication that he loved her, perhaps it was just his pride that wanted her back. After all she had been given to him by King Saul, and now when he was king he wanted his possession back? How might she have felt?
Is there anything we can learn from her about “love and marriage and a baby in a carriage” from this story? Many say that the story of Ruth and Boaz is a love story. Is the story of Michal and David a love story?
DAY 5 LISTEN
Why study Michal? Have we learned anything about her that is worth spending time over? Is this story just the story of the two kings? Is she just a side story or can we learn something important from her.
Always answer our questions
1. How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to these verses?
2. What if these stories about Michal had been left out of Scripture.
3. What is God trying to teach us through these stories
4. What can we take from the story of Michal to use in 2010?
My own personal opinion is that this story was given to us to show the sovereignty of God. God had promised that the line of David would always be on the throne. Michael saved the very seed. Michael saved the life of David when she let him escape as her father sent men to kill him. She 'saved the seed.' Again, God uses a women, behind the scene, to fulfill His plan. Esther 'saved the seed.' Abigail 'saved the seed'. The midwives in Egypt 'saved the seed.'. The wife of the priest in the story of Athaliah 'saved the seed.'
The point? God uses women, behind the scene, for His plan and purpose.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Miriam
Women’s Study Hall: Miriam
Exodus 2: 4-9; Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12:1-16, Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
DAY 1 – General Overview
STOP!
1. Pray and ask God to bless your reading and time of study. What translation of the Bible are you reading? And Why?
2. Before you begin reading, what do you remember about Miriam?
Miriam is a fascinating woman who is often only remembered because of her sin of challenging the role of her brother as leader. There is much more. A study of Miriam can lead us into a deeper understanding of leadership, roles , and the amazing “Team Moses.”
Teaching point - one key to hermeneutics is understanding sequence or lists. This is important as we study the life of Miriam. God seems to say , or lists, what is the most important things first. Just think of the Ten Commandments…love God comes first….last are the commands of interacting and loving people. This holds true with names. The oldest child is named first, the youngest last. Each time the ‘team Moses’ is mentioned note the sequence. The names change order with each incident. Pay attention to this.
The story of Miriam is in three segments. 1) As a child she assisted in saving the life of Moses. (Her name is never given here.) 2) The crossing of the Red Sea – and the song of Victory. 3) Her rebellion and punishment. Yet there is so much more.
3. Read the verses slowly (listed in the title of this study). I used the NKJ version to prepare this study. If you use the KJV your wording will be a bit different. I suggest that you use NKJ, NAS, Amplified, REV or something similar. Never use a ‘paraphrase’ Bible…such as The Message, New Living Translation, etc… these are wonderful translations for recreational reading, I have them in my library also, but they are not for serious study.
As you read:
a. Make a list of words/concepts/ locations that you would like to understand better in this passage.( Just make the list.) This list will be different for everyone.
b. Mark the words for your ‘Word Search.” (Refer to the handout given earlier that explains why we do this.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)
For this study:
Always mark sentences that contain “but”, “because” and “for” when it means because. These words explain, compare, or show an outcome.
DAY 2- Miriam as Leader
LOOK!
Research the words/concepts that you listed in STOP # 3 (a). Write down what you find.
Lets look at Miriam’s role and leadership style.
1. Exodus 2:4-9 (for detailed information read 1-10) Do you see any leadership traits? Give a brief summary of Miriam’s attitude and actions. Note-she is not even named here.
2. Exodus 15:20-21 (for detailed information read Chapter 14 and 15:1-21). Give a brief summary of her attitude and actions. Who did she lead? Who followed? What was the focus of her actions?
3.What was the title given to her? What is a prophetess? Do we ever read/hear of any of her prophecies?
4.Who is another prophetess we have studied? Do you see any similarities in their roles or actions?
DAY 3 – Miriam in Sin
(LOOK continued)
1. Numbers 12 is the story of the rebellion against Moses. Who was part of the rebellion? What was it all about?
Where in these verses do we see proof that Miriam was a leader?
Where do we see proof that she was a prophetess?
Who was punished? Why only Miriam? (we really do not know.)
Miriam was loved. Where do we see this?
2. Lets see Moses part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?
3. Lets see Aaron’s part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?
What did Aaron say/do? Who did he speak to?
Notice the sequence of names each time they are given. Sequence gives order of importance
4.Lets see Gods part in this:
To whom did God speak?
Who spoke to God?
Miriam’s problem seemed to be that she was not happy with her role on the “Moses Team.” She was a prophetess, leader of women, close family confident of both Moses and Aaron, but that was not enough her. She had seen the power of God and his dealings with sin, yet, for some reason, perhaps jealousy over a new wife of ‘Gods Servant,’ Miriam tried to usurp the power and position of Moses. We don’t really know why, but many scholars think that the new wife might have had the ear and attention of Moses, and took the position of favor from Miriam.
DAY 4 – Miriam a Person of Importance
(LOOK Continued)
At the end of this study we will ask….Why did God give us so much information about Miriam?
I think it gets down to…Miriam was important to God and should be important to us. Lets think about some other aspects of her life.
A study of the life of Miriam is a study of decades of history and major events in the life of the Hebrew nation. Think of all she witnessed and was part of: she helped her mother save Moses from death, she saw his rise to power in the family of the pharaoh, and then lost him for years as he ran into the wilderness to meet God. Miriam was present when Moses returned to Egypt and was witness to the plagues, the first Passover. She walked through the parted waters of the sea, then danced with the women in joy and praise of God. She was assigned the position of leader by God.
Miriam was witness to the giving of the Ten Commandments, the sin of the golden calf, the march through the wilderness, the manna and quail, the sending of the spies into the land, the budding of Aaron’s rod, etc… Being a part of the family she not only knew about these incidents, but was intimately involved with the decision making, hearing the discussions and personally feeling the results on the leadership. She was there at the giving of the Law and the instructions for the building of the tabernacle. In fact, after her sin, when the laws of daily life were given, Miriam was used, by name, to explain something….Deut. 24:8-9 (For a more thorough understanding, read the entire chapter.)
We often overlook the amazing fact that Miriam was highly regarded by God. This may seem a strange comment because all we remember is her sin and fall, but on closer study we see that Miriam was part of the “Moses Team” of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Not only was she part of the family, she helped save the baby, and she was gifted by God as a prophetess, one chosen by God to speak His message. What other facts might indicate how important she was to God and the entire wilderness wanderings?
We have been studying women in the Genealogy of Jesus. Lets look at three genealogies that mention Moses and see about Miriam.
1. Write out 1 Chron. 6:2-5( read vs 1-30 for more information.) Were there other women named? If so who, and why/why not
2.Write out Numb. 26:58-60 (read vs 57-62 for more information). Were there other women mentioned? If so who and why/why not?
3. Only select women are mentioned in the genealogies. Miriam is always mentioned with her brothers. Imagine – she had both Moses, and Aaron as brothers - the leader and the first High Priest– what a blessed family. If she was simply a sister, along-for-the-ride, she would not have been mentioned in such detail. She was an important part of that amazing family. She is so important, that hundreds of years later she is mentioned by name in Micah 6:4. This is an important verse in determining Miriam’s importance and place in history. Write out this verse.
This verse does seem to indicate that Miriam was an important part of the leadership team for the Hebrew people. Miriam, a woman, was chosen by God to be a part of HIS important plan to make a nation of the Hebrews, and to get them into the Promised Land….. the Holy Land.
DAY 5
LISTEN!
Always ask our four questions:
The first prophetess named in Scripture.
1.How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to the story of Miriam. “All Scripture…doctrine, reproof, correction, training and righteousness…..so that the woman of God may be complete…all good works”…..why all this information about Miriam? Is it just part of the story of Aaron and Moses, or is it special unto itself?
2. What if the detailed story of Miriam was left out of Scripture?
3.What is God trying to teach us (women) through this story?
4.How can we/you apply what you have learned about Miriam be applied to your life today ?
(I think we can learn and apply principles of leadership, the role of women, and the love of God as He forgives us)….what else?
Exodus 2: 4-9; Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12:1-16, Numbers 20:1; Micah 6:4
DAY 1 – General Overview
STOP!
1. Pray and ask God to bless your reading and time of study. What translation of the Bible are you reading? And Why?
2. Before you begin reading, what do you remember about Miriam?
Miriam is a fascinating woman who is often only remembered because of her sin of challenging the role of her brother as leader. There is much more. A study of Miriam can lead us into a deeper understanding of leadership, roles , and the amazing “Team Moses.”
Teaching point - one key to hermeneutics is understanding sequence or lists. This is important as we study the life of Miriam. God seems to say , or lists, what is the most important things first. Just think of the Ten Commandments…love God comes first….last are the commands of interacting and loving people. This holds true with names. The oldest child is named first, the youngest last. Each time the ‘team Moses’ is mentioned note the sequence. The names change order with each incident. Pay attention to this.
The story of Miriam is in three segments. 1) As a child she assisted in saving the life of Moses. (Her name is never given here.) 2) The crossing of the Red Sea – and the song of Victory. 3) Her rebellion and punishment. Yet there is so much more.
3. Read the verses slowly (listed in the title of this study). I used the NKJ version to prepare this study. If you use the KJV your wording will be a bit different. I suggest that you use NKJ, NAS, Amplified, REV or something similar. Never use a ‘paraphrase’ Bible…such as The Message, New Living Translation, etc… these are wonderful translations for recreational reading, I have them in my library also, but they are not for serious study.
As you read:
a. Make a list of words/concepts/ locations that you would like to understand better in this passage.( Just make the list.) This list will be different for everyone.
b. Mark the words for your ‘Word Search.” (Refer to the handout given earlier that explains why we do this.) (Go to the post for 5/21/10 to see information on word searches...Bible Reading Can Be Fun!)
For this study:
Always mark sentences that contain “but”, “because” and “for” when it means because. These words explain, compare, or show an outcome.
DAY 2- Miriam as Leader
LOOK!
Research the words/concepts that you listed in STOP # 3 (a). Write down what you find.
Lets look at Miriam’s role and leadership style.
1. Exodus 2:4-9 (for detailed information read 1-10) Do you see any leadership traits? Give a brief summary of Miriam’s attitude and actions. Note-she is not even named here.
2. Exodus 15:20-21 (for detailed information read Chapter 14 and 15:1-21). Give a brief summary of her attitude and actions. Who did she lead? Who followed? What was the focus of her actions?
3.What was the title given to her? What is a prophetess? Do we ever read/hear of any of her prophecies?
4.Who is another prophetess we have studied? Do you see any similarities in their roles or actions?
DAY 3 – Miriam in Sin
(LOOK continued)
1. Numbers 12 is the story of the rebellion against Moses. Who was part of the rebellion? What was it all about?
Where in these verses do we see proof that Miriam was a leader?
Where do we see proof that she was a prophetess?
Who was punished? Why only Miriam? (we really do not know.)
Miriam was loved. Where do we see this?
2. Lets see Moses part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?
3. Lets see Aaron’s part in this. What is his action/attitude toward Miriam?
What did Aaron say/do? Who did he speak to?
Notice the sequence of names each time they are given. Sequence gives order of importance
4.Lets see Gods part in this:
To whom did God speak?
Who spoke to God?
Miriam’s problem seemed to be that she was not happy with her role on the “Moses Team.” She was a prophetess, leader of women, close family confident of both Moses and Aaron, but that was not enough her. She had seen the power of God and his dealings with sin, yet, for some reason, perhaps jealousy over a new wife of ‘Gods Servant,’ Miriam tried to usurp the power and position of Moses. We don’t really know why, but many scholars think that the new wife might have had the ear and attention of Moses, and took the position of favor from Miriam.
DAY 4 – Miriam a Person of Importance
(LOOK Continued)
At the end of this study we will ask….Why did God give us so much information about Miriam?
I think it gets down to…Miriam was important to God and should be important to us. Lets think about some other aspects of her life.
A study of the life of Miriam is a study of decades of history and major events in the life of the Hebrew nation. Think of all she witnessed and was part of: she helped her mother save Moses from death, she saw his rise to power in the family of the pharaoh, and then lost him for years as he ran into the wilderness to meet God. Miriam was present when Moses returned to Egypt and was witness to the plagues, the first Passover. She walked through the parted waters of the sea, then danced with the women in joy and praise of God. She was assigned the position of leader by God.
Miriam was witness to the giving of the Ten Commandments, the sin of the golden calf, the march through the wilderness, the manna and quail, the sending of the spies into the land, the budding of Aaron’s rod, etc… Being a part of the family she not only knew about these incidents, but was intimately involved with the decision making, hearing the discussions and personally feeling the results on the leadership. She was there at the giving of the Law and the instructions for the building of the tabernacle. In fact, after her sin, when the laws of daily life were given, Miriam was used, by name, to explain something….Deut. 24:8-9 (For a more thorough understanding, read the entire chapter.)
We often overlook the amazing fact that Miriam was highly regarded by God. This may seem a strange comment because all we remember is her sin and fall, but on closer study we see that Miriam was part of the “Moses Team” of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. Not only was she part of the family, she helped save the baby, and she was gifted by God as a prophetess, one chosen by God to speak His message. What other facts might indicate how important she was to God and the entire wilderness wanderings?
We have been studying women in the Genealogy of Jesus. Lets look at three genealogies that mention Moses and see about Miriam.
1. Write out 1 Chron. 6:2-5( read vs 1-30 for more information.) Were there other women named? If so who, and why/why not
2.Write out Numb. 26:58-60 (read vs 57-62 for more information). Were there other women mentioned? If so who and why/why not?
3. Only select women are mentioned in the genealogies. Miriam is always mentioned with her brothers. Imagine – she had both Moses, and Aaron as brothers - the leader and the first High Priest– what a blessed family. If she was simply a sister, along-for-the-ride, she would not have been mentioned in such detail. She was an important part of that amazing family. She is so important, that hundreds of years later she is mentioned by name in Micah 6:4. This is an important verse in determining Miriam’s importance and place in history. Write out this verse.
This verse does seem to indicate that Miriam was an important part of the leadership team for the Hebrew people. Miriam, a woman, was chosen by God to be a part of HIS important plan to make a nation of the Hebrews, and to get them into the Promised Land….. the Holy Land.
DAY 5
LISTEN!
Always ask our four questions:
The first prophetess named in Scripture.
1.How does 2 Tim. 3:16-17 apply to the story of Miriam. “All Scripture…doctrine, reproof, correction, training and righteousness…..so that the woman of God may be complete…all good works”…..why all this information about Miriam? Is it just part of the story of Aaron and Moses, or is it special unto itself?
2. What if the detailed story of Miriam was left out of Scripture?
3.What is God trying to teach us (women) through this story?
4.How can we/you apply what you have learned about Miriam be applied to your life today ?
(I think we can learn and apply principles of leadership, the role of women, and the love of God as He forgives us)….what else?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Beginning Notes on Deborah-the Prophetess
We often forget about the women who were prophetesses when we consider leadership. Prophetesses were gifted by God to speak His message to the people, just as the male prophets. Their mode of operation was very different from that of the firey, active, very vocal male prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, yet they were leaders of the nation. The women prophetess usually worked behind the scenes, not on the "front lines." Examples of prophetesses are Miriam, Deborah, Hulda, the daughters of Philip, and even Anna of Luke 2.
Read Judges 4 and 5. Look for action words that describe the actions of Deborah.
Deborah was a judge and a prophetess. As a judge she led the country in the civil, or governmental issues that came into question. As a prophetess she spoke the word of God to the people. During her time we have no mention of any male judge or prophet. Deborah led the people, men and women.
Without a question Deborah was a leader. Respecting her as a wise woman who heard from God and knew His Law, the people of Israel came to her for guidance. What comes into question is whether she was a military leader or not. Many people call her the first woman Army General. A closer examination of her actions may call this into question. Deborah used her communion with God, her gift of prophecy, to guide Barak, the Army leader. When the word of the Lord came to Deborah, she summoned Barak and directed him to obey God by forming an army against the oppressor. Deborah was a prophetess, not an Army General.
In the book of Hebrews, Barak is mentioned as a champion of faith, not Deborah.Perhaps because she was a prophetess her faith "came naturally" and the faith of Barak did not. Barak needed to have strong faith to believe in the prophetess Deborah. Barak had to stretch his belief that the true, living God could deliver Israel from the onslaught of the enemy, and listen to the word of Deborah. Deborah was a leader as a prophetess, Barak was a leader as the Army General.
Chapter 5 of Judges is a song about the battle. It was common in biblical times to record major events in the form of song that the people could sing, understand and remember. Deborah the prophetess, not the Army General, heard the word of the Lord and was obedient to God's call. She came forward to lead her nation, inspiring others to believe her message from God and follow in faith.
Read one of the prophets such as Amos or Zephaniah (I chose these two because they are very short. As a challenge read Isiah or Jeremiah!!) and compare their lives and actions to that of Deborah, Miriam, Hulda (We will study these last two in detail later.) How was the God-ordained role of the prophetess the same, or different from the role of the male prophet?
Some women were instrumental in 'saving the seed,' such as Esther and Rahab....I think Deborah was used by God to save the people of Israel from a terrible slaughter...saving the seed..
The complete outline Stop! Look! Listen! for Deborah will be added in a few days.
Read Judges 4 and 5. Look for action words that describe the actions of Deborah.
Deborah was a judge and a prophetess. As a judge she led the country in the civil, or governmental issues that came into question. As a prophetess she spoke the word of God to the people. During her time we have no mention of any male judge or prophet. Deborah led the people, men and women.
Without a question Deborah was a leader. Respecting her as a wise woman who heard from God and knew His Law, the people of Israel came to her for guidance. What comes into question is whether she was a military leader or not. Many people call her the first woman Army General. A closer examination of her actions may call this into question. Deborah used her communion with God, her gift of prophecy, to guide Barak, the Army leader. When the word of the Lord came to Deborah, she summoned Barak and directed him to obey God by forming an army against the oppressor. Deborah was a prophetess, not an Army General.
In the book of Hebrews, Barak is mentioned as a champion of faith, not Deborah.Perhaps because she was a prophetess her faith "came naturally" and the faith of Barak did not. Barak needed to have strong faith to believe in the prophetess Deborah. Barak had to stretch his belief that the true, living God could deliver Israel from the onslaught of the enemy, and listen to the word of Deborah. Deborah was a leader as a prophetess, Barak was a leader as the Army General.
Chapter 5 of Judges is a song about the battle. It was common in biblical times to record major events in the form of song that the people could sing, understand and remember. Deborah the prophetess, not the Army General, heard the word of the Lord and was obedient to God's call. She came forward to lead her nation, inspiring others to believe her message from God and follow in faith.
Read one of the prophets such as Amos or Zephaniah (I chose these two because they are very short. As a challenge read Isiah or Jeremiah!!) and compare their lives and actions to that of Deborah, Miriam, Hulda (We will study these last two in detail later.) How was the God-ordained role of the prophetess the same, or different from the role of the male prophet?
Some women were instrumental in 'saving the seed,' such as Esther and Rahab....I think Deborah was used by God to save the people of Israel from a terrible slaughter...saving the seed..
The complete outline Stop! Look! Listen! for Deborah will be added in a few days.
Athaliah - Only Female Monarch of Israel
2 Kings 11; 2 Chron. 22:1-4, 10-12; 2 Chron. 23; 2 Kings 8:26
STOP!
1.Ask yourself, “Why am I studying Athaliah? She was an evil queen.” Most of us cannot recount ever hearing a sermon about this woman. We may have heard the story of baby King Joash, but the focus was on him, not necessarily on what we might learn from Queen Athaliah. Why do you think a study of Athaliah is important? (If you don’t know, write that down.)
2 Gather information. Read the Scripture related to Queen Athaliah. Slow down and look at each word.
3. Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. (In the “Look” phase you will research these)
For the study of Queen Athaliah you might list these plus a few more:
a. Who is Jehoiada
b. Who Jehosheba
c. The people ‘rejoiced’ at the report of her death – why?
d. Baal worship
e. Why was the child hidden in the temple?
5. Stop and “Scan the horizon” for geography. Where does this story take place? The city. The exact place.
LOOK!!
1. Read the verses about Athaliah again. Spend time in this phase to research and study what the verses are saying.
2. Go to the list that you wrote in the “Stop” section, and research the words and concepts that you would like to know more about. You are “looking’ to see detail and gain information. Did you find out anything that surprised you?
3. Look right and look left!! See what has gone before and comes after the story of Athaliah. Read 2 Kings 10, all that is in 2 Chronicles 22, and 2 Chronicles 24. How do these chapters impact the story of Athaliah?
4. Begin to ask questions.
a. Who was The Queen Athaliah? Give a brief description.
b. Athaliah was the first, and only Queen that ruled Israel. Why?
c. Scripture says that the people rejoiced when Athaliah overthrew the throne. Why didn’t the people rebel in the beginning? What must life have been like with the leader of the country forcing Baal worship on the country?
d. How did she come to the throne, and what happened to Judah after Joash took over the throne?
e. Why would God have allowed this to happen? What was the spiritual climate in Judah during this time? Had any prophets warned of this?
f. Why did she kill her grandsons? Her own husband had his brothers killed to secure the throne for himself. Athaliah had much evil around her.
g.To think about….What happened to the mothers of those murdered? What happened to the mother of baby Joash?
h. Why was the temple a good place to hide Joash?
i. What are the only words are recorded that she spoke? Are they important? (It is interesting that she should cry out “Treason” when she was the queen of treason and bloodshed.)
j. Why didn’t the people rise up against her…they ‘rejoiced’ when she was over thrown. What does this teach us about today? God let things go along for six years…..let the people have their way until His time had come to stop the evil.
k. Think about: The priest and people seemed to rather have a six year old on the throne than Athaliah.
l. What does it mean “she tore her clothes?”
m. Athaliah the first and only female ruler of Israel? Was she appointed by God or by human choice? What is the plan or pattern that we see in both the Old and New Testament regarding women and leadership?
n. Think about: Why did things get so bad. Why did the people stray? Was there warnings? Many previous rulers had been followers of YHWY…yet things had changed…how? Why?
o. Most important of all….why bother spending all this time studying such an evil woman?
LISTEN
Lessons learned. God is in control. He promised that a seed would reign on the throne of David. Despite the plans of this evil, pagan woman the seed (Joash) did survive.
What if this detailed account of the reign of Queen Athaliah was left out of Scripture. We would have missed seeing the story of the only woman who ruled Judah. We would have missed the details of how God kept His promise to Israel to always have a descendant of David on the throne.
What can we take from the story of Athaliah to apply to our lives today?
The key to this story is how God is faithful to his promises. He promised Davidic line to sit on the throne of Israel. Mans schemes cannot usurp the plans of God. Evil reared its ugly head and almost ‘destroyed the seed.’
God let the people have their way until it was His time to make the correction. Sometimes God lets a nation have what it wants (or thinks it wants) for a period of time, before He acts.
The nation follows their leader. God controls the ‘throne’ of any country.
Families do have a major influence over the lives and beliefs of their children… good or bad. If you are a mom or a grandmom how does your life affect the next generation (s)? Do you need to make any changes? (BUT REMEMBER…each person makes their own decision and choices in life. No matter how Godly a home a child comes from they can still stray from the ways of God. This is not your fault.)
For Deeper Study
Dig deeper: Write out the genealogy of Athaliah to see who “her people” were, and how her life was shaped. (List the verses)
Grandfather
Father
Mother
Husband
Son
Athaliah is in the bloodline of Joseph, husband of Mary, but not the bloodline of Mary. The evil ‘genealogy’ of Athaliah does not reach Jesus. The bloodline of Jesus goes through Nathan son of David, not Solomon (the line of Athaliah).
STOP!
1.Ask yourself, “Why am I studying Athaliah? She was an evil queen.” Most of us cannot recount ever hearing a sermon about this woman. We may have heard the story of baby King Joash, but the focus was on him, not necessarily on what we might learn from Queen Athaliah. Why do you think a study of Athaliah is important? (If you don’t know, write that down.)
2 Gather information. Read the Scripture related to Queen Athaliah. Slow down and look at each word.
3. Start a list of key words, repeated words or concepts you might not understand in these verses. (In the “Look” phase you will research these)
For the study of Queen Athaliah you might list these plus a few more:
a. Who is Jehoiada
b. Who Jehosheba
c. The people ‘rejoiced’ at the report of her death – why?
d. Baal worship
e. Why was the child hidden in the temple?
5. Stop and “Scan the horizon” for geography. Where does this story take place? The city. The exact place.
LOOK!!
1. Read the verses about Athaliah again. Spend time in this phase to research and study what the verses are saying.
2. Go to the list that you wrote in the “Stop” section, and research the words and concepts that you would like to know more about. You are “looking’ to see detail and gain information. Did you find out anything that surprised you?
3. Look right and look left!! See what has gone before and comes after the story of Athaliah. Read 2 Kings 10, all that is in 2 Chronicles 22, and 2 Chronicles 24. How do these chapters impact the story of Athaliah?
4. Begin to ask questions.
a. Who was The Queen Athaliah? Give a brief description.
b. Athaliah was the first, and only Queen that ruled Israel. Why?
c. Scripture says that the people rejoiced when Athaliah overthrew the throne. Why didn’t the people rebel in the beginning? What must life have been like with the leader of the country forcing Baal worship on the country?
d. How did she come to the throne, and what happened to Judah after Joash took over the throne?
e. Why would God have allowed this to happen? What was the spiritual climate in Judah during this time? Had any prophets warned of this?
f. Why did she kill her grandsons? Her own husband had his brothers killed to secure the throne for himself. Athaliah had much evil around her.
g.To think about….What happened to the mothers of those murdered? What happened to the mother of baby Joash?
h. Why was the temple a good place to hide Joash?
i. What are the only words are recorded that she spoke? Are they important? (It is interesting that she should cry out “Treason” when she was the queen of treason and bloodshed.)
j. Why didn’t the people rise up against her…they ‘rejoiced’ when she was over thrown. What does this teach us about today? God let things go along for six years…..let the people have their way until His time had come to stop the evil.
k. Think about: The priest and people seemed to rather have a six year old on the throne than Athaliah.
l. What does it mean “she tore her clothes?”
m. Athaliah the first and only female ruler of Israel? Was she appointed by God or by human choice? What is the plan or pattern that we see in both the Old and New Testament regarding women and leadership?
n. Think about: Why did things get so bad. Why did the people stray? Was there warnings? Many previous rulers had been followers of YHWY…yet things had changed…how? Why?
o. Most important of all….why bother spending all this time studying such an evil woman?
LISTEN
Lessons learned. God is in control. He promised that a seed would reign on the throne of David. Despite the plans of this evil, pagan woman the seed (Joash) did survive.
What if this detailed account of the reign of Queen Athaliah was left out of Scripture. We would have missed seeing the story of the only woman who ruled Judah. We would have missed the details of how God kept His promise to Israel to always have a descendant of David on the throne.
What can we take from the story of Athaliah to apply to our lives today?
The key to this story is how God is faithful to his promises. He promised Davidic line to sit on the throne of Israel. Mans schemes cannot usurp the plans of God. Evil reared its ugly head and almost ‘destroyed the seed.’
God let the people have their way until it was His time to make the correction. Sometimes God lets a nation have what it wants (or thinks it wants) for a period of time, before He acts.
The nation follows their leader. God controls the ‘throne’ of any country.
Families do have a major influence over the lives and beliefs of their children… good or bad. If you are a mom or a grandmom how does your life affect the next generation (s)? Do you need to make any changes? (BUT REMEMBER…each person makes their own decision and choices in life. No matter how Godly a home a child comes from they can still stray from the ways of God. This is not your fault.)
For Deeper Study
Dig deeper: Write out the genealogy of Athaliah to see who “her people” were, and how her life was shaped. (List the verses)
Grandfather
Father
Mother
Husband
Son
Athaliah is in the bloodline of Joseph, husband of Mary, but not the bloodline of Mary. The evil ‘genealogy’ of Athaliah does not reach Jesus. The bloodline of Jesus goes through Nathan son of David, not Solomon (the line of Athaliah).
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