Jan 19

Huldah, the Wife of Shallum

Biblical Women Comments Off

II Kings 22:12-20

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

Here we see King Josiah when he realized the great wrath of the Lord that should befall Judah because of how they heard not the words of the Law of Moses repents and receives the Lord’s blessings. This book was only read on special occasions or so it appears. King Josiah however had it read for him and was eager to enquire of the Lord for him, for the people and for all Judah concerning the words of the book. For us today our standard is the Word of God and we should enquire of the Lord at every step of our life. Our prayers will definitely be heard, we will be forgiven and our lands will be healed. The Lord is available to us who seek His face. II Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

King Josiah sent his favored men: Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah to enquire of the Lord and they went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum. Shallum was the keeper of the wardrobe and did not hold a noble position in the kingdom. Huldah lived in Jerusalem and she was married to Shallum. An ordinary woman she was and yet was gifted with the powerful gift of prophecy. Lord bestowed it on her and her gift was recognized in that land and King’s men came to enquire of her. Her words were the words of the Lord God and how gifted was that land and how wonderful it is to see that the people of the land took advantage of this gifted woman. A King who held the highest position in the kingdom sought the Lord and sent messengers to bring back the message of the Lord. How much more should we commune with the Lord, seek His face continually, be in His mighty presence and consult Him in our life’s journey? Also, Huldah put her gift to use and for the benefit of her land; are we using the spiritual gifts that God has given us? We should not consider a spiritual gift bestowed on us as frivolous. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Huldah spoke the words of the Lord in truth and in love. She said to the King’s men “Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” Huldah said that the Lord shall bring evil upon Judah and upon the inhabitants of Judah for a reason. The people have forsaken the Lord, worshipped other Gods simply going against the Lord’s very first commandment. Do we have any idols in our heart that we have placed before God? Time to introspect and see if we have any placed anything or anybody before God in our lives. If so, let us give the God of glory the first place in our hearts that He alone deserves. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” While there is still time let us repent, turn from our wicked ways and surrender our lives unto our Creator!

Huldah also said to the King’s messengers to take back a wonderful message unto King Josiah. Her message to King Josiah was: “Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” The Lord God is full of tender mercies and loving kindness. He sees the heart of the man, the cry of such a heart is heard and His forgiveness is always available unto us. The Lord saw the tender and humble heart of King Josiah. He saw his broken spirit and contrite heart. So, all that the Lord spoke will befall Judah and its inhabitants will not happen in King Josiah’s time. He pardoned the King, the people and the land from such a desolation and curse because of King’s repentance.

Yes, He readily forgives us and accepts us just as we are if we repent of our sins! Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation (II Corinthians 7:10). Though our sins are red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). What this means is that He will wipe out all our sins with the precious blood of Jesus that was shed for our sakes 2010 years ago. His grace is all encompassing. So, if you are wondering if ever your sin as dark as it may seem to you will ever be forgiven, take heart! Yes, it will be forgiven. Remember where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20). See how wonderfully God heard Josiah’s sincere cry and blessed him saying that he shall not see any evil and shall go to grave in peace. This is the same kind of blessing He gives to any who repents with a true heart! Let us seek His forgiveness and repent with all our hearts and turn away from any darkness in our lives. Grab His wonderful blessings and enjoy the eternal life!

Next: From Sarai to Sarah

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Dec 24

The Birth of Jesus

Biblical Women Comments Off

Luke 2:1-7

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

During the time of emperor Caesar Augustus, he decided that the entire world should be taxed. During this time, the mother of Jesus was full with child. See the Savior of the World, was subject to taxation for He took the form of a servant and not as the King of Kings; He came as a servant to the Kings and yet was the King of Kings. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” He came to minister and give His life a ransom for many and not to be ministered to. Every one had to go to their city and so Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem of Judah for they were of David’s lineage, to fulfill the plan of God for the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah, a prophet prophesies the birth of Jesus in the little town of Bethlehem as it says in Micah 5:2. It says, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Bethlehem is the town of David’s birth and it was to be the town of Jesus’ birth. Jesus Christ was the son of David (Matthew 1:1). Even though the town is little among the thousands of Judah, through this little town the Savior, who was and is the Bread of Life was born. Bethlehem stands for “House of Bread” and the Bread of Life is our Savior Jesus Christ; any one who feeds on this divine Bread shall never hunger and so the divine plan for Jesus’ birth was in this little town. He chose the lowliest town and came through a Virgin Mary who was from a low estate.

While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the days were accomplished and Mary brought forth a child, who was their firstborn, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger. There was no room in the inn for this Savior and Mary and Joseph had to find a place in the stable where the animals are kept and fed. Manger is the trough made of stone that is used to hold the food for the animals. The Savior had no cradle to lie in and He rested in a manger. Look at the most humble state in which Jesus was born; there was no room for Him; He was born in a stable; wrapped in swaddling clothes; laid in a manger. The one through whom the whole world would seek rest had no room for birth! The swaddling clothes are wrapped around a child to restrict movement and He was wrapped in these to keep Him from movement, yet He came to free us from our sin, error and guilt. When we are pining in error, we are wrapped in the swaddling clothes and lie in our devastated state until some one can grant us the Salvation and set us free. This some one is our Jesus Christ and let us all seek the freedom that He grants us which is precious and everlasting. He was born in a stable and laid in a manger alongside the animals there. He was the Good Shepherd who cared(s) for His flock (us) and brings us all under His shelter to be protected by Him. Under His care why should we be anxious or fret about anything?

Around this special season when we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, let us not so much dwell on the traditions and customs that overshadow why Jesus came to this earth. The traditions and customs make us lose focus on Jesus and turn our attention to the mundane stories not so divine. Jesus, the immaculate one, was God’s chosen one, God’s only son, who obeyed His Father to the fullest, let God’s will in His life, fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for our sakes yet is a God Himself, the Messiah of the World, who gave His life a ransom for us, that we through Him might gain eternal life.

WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE! Focus on Jesus and be mightily blessed from the hand of God.

Next: The Shepherds and the Angels

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Nov 07

The Narrow Way vs. the Broad Way (Ruth vs. Orpah)

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Ruth 1:14
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Elimelech and Naomi were living in Bethlehem, Judah and they were Ephrathites. They traveled from Judah to Moab with their two sons Mahlon and Chilion. The reason they moved from Bethlehem to Moab is because a famine struck the land, while the judges ruled the land. After Elimelech and Naomi reached Moab, Elimelech died and Naomi was left with her two sons Mahlon and Chilion. Mahlon and Chilion married Moabite women Ruth and Orpah respectively. After ten years of livelihood in Moab, Mahlon and Chilion died as well. Naomi was a bereft mother, left with her two daughters in law. Naomi made a wonderful decision of returning to her own land because she had heard how Lord visited His people and the land was blessed with bread again.

Naomi requested Ruth and Orpah to return to their own land Moab saying (Ruth 1:8-9), “Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.” We understand that Ruth and Orpah were kind to Naomi and her family. Naomi was meaning well for her daughters in law and was trusting that the Lord will grant them rest by blessing them with husbands in their land. She kissed them and they three wept loudly. Ruth and Orpah insisted that they go with Naomi to her people.

Naomi again requested Ruth and Orpah to return to their land. This time Naomi explains them why they should return and strongly urged them not to follow her. In Ruth 1:11-13 “And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” Naomi also said that her heart is filled with grief for her daughters in law that the hand of the Lord is gone out against her.

It is very clear that Naomi and her daughters in law enjoyed a sound relationship. They cared for each other. Naomi wanted her daughters in law to find rest in their husbands’ homes. She knew in her heart that she would not have any more sons and even if she marries again and has sons that the wait for her daughters in law would be too long. At this stage we see that they all wept yet again. Ruth 1:14 says “And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.” Orpah got convinced and kissed her mother in law and returned to her own land Moab while Ruth adhered to her mother in law.

Orpah and Ruth were on the crossroads at this point. They could choose one way or the other; that is they could return to Moab or stick to their mother in law and go to Bethlehem of Judah. Moab represents the broad way while Bethlehem represents the narrow way. Firstly, Moab was born to Lot and his daughter after the destruction of Sodom. Though Moabites and Israelites were related and have the same roots from Terah, they had conflicts because of Moab’s birth which was incestuous. Secondly, Sihon, King of Amorites did not let the Israelites pass by when they were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, as it is said in Numbers 21:21-23. Also, we see that Moabite King Balak appointed a prophet Balaam to speak against Israelites as said in Numbers 22:5-6. On the other hand, Bethlehem is comprised of two words Bethel (House of God) and Lehem (Bread). In other words, Bethlehem is where God and His people resided and it was filled with bread. This bread is the “Bread of Life”.

Way of Moab or the broad way is the way traveled by many that leads to eternal damnation. Way of Bethlehem or the narrow way is the way least traveled and leads to eternal life. Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The narrow way is the way of the truth and the life. In John 14:6 Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Orpah chose to go back to Moab while Ruth went on with Naomi. Ruth was blessed and married Boaz and gave birth to Obed. Ruth 4:21-22 says, “And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” Ruth was redeemed by Boaz just the same way you and I are redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. This blood was shed by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. You and I have a choice as well. We could choose the broad way that leads to destruction or the narrow way that leads to eternal life. This choice dictates your eternal journey. Are you on the crossroads today? Will you choose the narrow way like Ruth did?

Tomorrow: Two way rest for Naomi and Ruth

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Nov 06

Tamar’s Righteousness Rewarded

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Genesis 38:24-26

And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more.

Judah, the son of Jacob and Leah, married the daughter of a Canaanite whose name was Shuah. He had three sons Er, Onan and Shelah through her. Er who was wicked in the eyes of God was married to Tamar. Because of Er’s wickedness the Lord slew him. Judah asked his second son Onan to marry Tamar. Onan knew that he did not want to give his seed to his brother and spills his seed; therefore God slew him for dishonoring Him. Judah requested Tamar to remain a widow until his youngest son grew old enough. But he forgot to give Tamar as wife to Shelah when it was time.

Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shuah passed away. Judah went with his friend Hirah the Adullamite to shear his sheep at Timnath. The word reached Tamar that her father-in-law was going to Timnath to shear his sheep. She dressed as harlot by covering her face with a veil and sat on the roadside of Timnath. Judah noticed her and thought her to be a harlot and lied with her. Tamar asked what he would give her. Judah promised to send a kid from his flock. Tamar requested for a token until the kid reaches her. Judah gave his signet, a cord and staff. Tamar was impregnated by Judah. Judah sent a kid with his friend Hirah, the Adullamite and Hirah could not find the harlot because Tamar went back and dressed as a widow.

Judah got to know that his daughter-in-law played the harlot and was with a child; Judah did not realize that she was his harlot and was infuriated with the news and was determined to burn her. When Tamar was brought before Judah, she said (Genesis 38:25) “By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.” Immediately Judah recognized the tokens and repented of his unrighteousness and said (Genesis 38:26), “She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son.” Tamar really wanted children of her own and Judah failed to keep his promise.

Tamar gave birth to twins, Pharez and Zarah. Through Pharez her first born, the mighty king of Israel, David was born. Ruth 4:18-22 says, “Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” Matthew 1 speaks of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:1 says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Pharez the son of Tamar is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Savior of the mankind.

Judah says that the righteousness of Tamar was more than his own righteousness. In other words, Tamar’s act was justified. She was married to Er, a wicked man and Onan, who defiled her and now her father-in-law did not keep his word to marry her to his third son Shelah. But the Lord God dealt with her kindly and rewarded her. Her reward was that she bore a son who was later in the genealogy of King David and the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Man might forget to keep his promise but God’s promises will never fail. Tamar waited patiently until Shelah grew up, but her own father-in-law betrayed her. She was faithful in that she did not marry another man and waited patiently in hope of getting married to Shelah. God humbled Judah and blessed Tamar by this whole incident. In I Samuel 26:23, King David tells King Saul, “The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.” Yes, the Lord rewards us for our righteousness and our faithfulness. He sees the heart of every man and woman. May the Lord help us to be committed righteous men and women!

Tomorrow: The Narrow Way vs. the Broad Way (Ruth vs. Orpah)

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Nov 04

God’s Favor

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Genesis 29:30-32

And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.

After Isaac blessed Jacob, Jacob departed to Padanaram to get himself a wife from the daughters of Laban, his mother’s brother. After he reached Padanaram, he met Rachel by the well. Jacob worked for Laban for seven solid years in order to get Rachel as his wife. Genesis 29:20 says “And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her”. Jacob loved Rachel so greatly that the seven years seemed like a few days in hope of receiving her as his bride. Instead he received Leah, Laban’s older daughter as a bride. Genesis 29:17 says “Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.” Jacob served for another seven years to get Rachel as his bride. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah.

When the Lord God saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb but Rachel was barren. Rachel was well favored by everyone while Leah was not. But she found God’s favor which is ultimate. Leah yearned for her husband’s love. She must have battled with feelings of being rejected and hated but God was watching all of this. Our God is a righteous God and hates injustice. He favored Leah who was ill-favored by people around her especially her own husband. He blessed her with children by opening her womb. Her first son is Reuben and she was hoping to be loved by her husband after his birth.

Leah was blessed with six sons Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun and a daughter Dinah. We will look into Dinah’s life tomorrow. Leah bare six sons and these were to form the six important tribes of Israel. One noteworthy fact is that Leah gave birth to Judah from whom Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World was born. God heard the cry of Leah’s heart and blessed her abundantly. Jesus was called the Lion of Judah as it says in Revelation 5:5 “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” This Lion of Judah will wage a war on our behalf against the ruler of the world, Satan. The end result of this war is as we all very well know, VICTORY!

If today you feel rejected, torn, separated or oppressed, do not lose heart; the Lord your God is on your side and He will not let this injustice continue. You will find God’s favor! You will be mightily blessed like Leah was. Do not worry and lose hope. As it is said in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” May the Heavenly Father surround you and lift you up like He lifted up Leah!

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