Martha and Mary concludes

 

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary     Dec. 6

Question 7- In what ways do Martha and Mary depict the contrast between doing good works and having faith?

There is no contrast between doing good and having faith, they are interrelated.  Good works can be a bad thing if they take the place of the best things, but Paul was a good worker that had tremendous faith.  Faith without works is dead.

Our acts of going to church, Bible study, or any worship can be a work of faith and worship.  If we are attending these things with a heart of anticipation and longing to fellowship and worship, then it doesn’t feel like a work.  God knows our motives and what is going on in our hearts.

James 2 :14-24

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

This refers to all righteous behavior that conforms to God’s revealed word.

Just like the example given by Christine where a father who asks his son to do a job and the son complains but did it anyway and the other son that said he would do the job and then didn’t do it. Which one would be justified?

In the book on page 169, the last paragraph is a great summary of the life of these women. We ask you to revisit that paragraph.

We had a great discussion about the personality differences of Paul, Mark, Barnabas and Silas. How God uses different personalities in his church.  What God wants in the way we walk may appear to the world to not be good works.  But we are not of this world, therefore we need to make sure we walk with the Lord and follow his words, even when the world turns against us.

Romans 10:17- So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

This simple verse is important in our walk.

Col. 3:22-24 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

2 Chronicles 31:20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

Good, right and true. He went to the truth of God’s word and followed it.

Matthew 26:6-13

6 Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. 8 And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9 For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. 12 In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Luke 6: 46-49

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary Nov. 15

 

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary  Nov. 15

We began by re-reading Luke 10

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Another person sat at Jesus feet in Luke 8  ³³ Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.  ³⁴ When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. ³⁶ And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed^[d] man had been healed. ³⁷ Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear.

Deut. 33:3 Sat down; 2Sam 2:18; 1 Peter 2:1-3 Longing for the word; Luke 2:46

No matter what position you are in you can sit at Jesus’ feet

Matt. 13:23 the parable of the soils- the good soil had a great increase and the proverbs 31 woman worked a whole lot and was honorable because her heart was for the Lord.  We need to watch our focus.

Psalm 119: 30, 63, 104-105, 111, 173  David loved the precepts of the Lord, he loved his commands, even the wrath because he knew the Lord was just and righteous.

Matt. 13 ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’

Sometimes we don’t like what we see around us and we want to remove the tares…. But it is the Lord that places and removes.  We need to be more like the slave, doing what the master wants.  Sometimes we have tasks that we don’t like we need to go to God in prayer.  God can be teaching us and his kindness is revealed as he gently leads us through the rough spots.   God is always concerned with our physical and spiritual needs.

We spoke about question 6 and next time we will address question 7

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary Nov. 1

 

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary  Nov. 1

Received – Through the Greek it is a combination of 2 words, hupo and dechomai which means to receive under and into, to take under one’s care as if placing the hands or arms under a person.  Vs. 38  Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.   Welcomed is the word that this translation is.  She totally took responsibility to give her full self to taking care of those that entered her home.  Her intent was honorable, it was good.  It is used 4 times in the New Testament.  Luke 19:6 ⁶ So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  Act 17:7 and Jason has received (harbored) them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.  James 2:25 ²⁵ And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?

dechomai to receive as a gift = Romans 15:7 ⁷ Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  2 John:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting . 

At the door, before the work, her heart was full of the love of the Lord and the willingness to work for Him.  Romans 10 :17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  Eph. 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

What are some of Christ’s commands: Go, love your enemies, make disciples, there are so many that we need to obey.

Matthew 16: 22- 23 ²² And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” ²³ But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.  For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Both Peter and Martha forget that the Lord is before them and they made these statements thinking of themselves.  Cumbered= she was dragging the emotion and being overwhelmed with all the cares.  She let the things take over her focus and in the process leaving her first love. 

Luke 8: ²² One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, ²³ and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. ²⁴ And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”

Psalm 119 Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Who was David? He wasn’t a prophet; but he was called out by God. This psalm was as a journal of thoughts.  David was a true worshipper; he continued to strive to do the right, the good,  the needful thing.

Malachi 2:7  For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

Martha and Mary

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary

Preference of others over self

Priority of worship over service

Primacy of faith over works

Around pg. 163 of MacArthur’s text - Jesus admonished Martha in this study. It would do us well to examine these admonishments.  What are our priorities?

Question 1 – How are Martha and Mary similar or different?

They were sisters, both loved Jesus and their brother.  They had a growing and learning relationship with Jesus.  One was focused on the temporal and was focused on the eternal, but both were sincere in their desire to do what was right.  Martha may have been impulsive and Mary may have been patient and contemplative.  They were both mutually beloved and cherished by Jesus and others.  At Lazarus’s death both sisters were comfortable enough with the Lord to question him.  Martha was practical and serviceable. Mary was unfeigned with open emotions.  Martha served and Mary worshipped.

Luke 10:38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

We all have had the attitude that Martha had during this brief moment in her life.  She was focused on judging the moment.  There are a lot of Marthas that find it difficult to be Marys. Anything we do for the Lord is a gift from Him. 

#2 describe the family of these two women

It seemed that there were only the three of them in the household.  Martha may have been the oldest and therefore felt responsible. Was Lazarus unhealthy during his life?  They had close ties to their friends and they all loved Jesus.  They may have lost their parents earlier.  There is no mention of them being away from Bethany or away from their home. 

Luke 8- Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them^[a] out of their means.

There were women that traveled with Jesus and traveled because they had the means (finances) to do this.  Since many traveled with Jesus, perhaps Mary was overwhelmed by the sheer number of people she was serving.   But, others sat at Jesus’s feet and worshipped him.  Some people feel that it is a burden to be within the kitchen, but God desires us to find worship at his feet no matter where we are.

#3.  What reasons might Mary have had for anointing Jesus feet with the spikenard?

 John 11:53- John 12:8, Mark 14 3-9

She anointed both his head and his feet.  It was a costly ointment and many were upset with her “wasting it” instead of using in upon Jesus.  Jesus knew his time would be short, he had told them all.   Nard comes from a plant with spikes.  It is a highly prized ointment.  The Jews anointed the head and feet of those they held in high honor.  It was a joyful part of life.

The woman in Luke 7:36-50 is a different woman.  Her ointment was not the expensive nard that Mary had used.  Simon in this account doesn’t give Jesus the honor he is due, but the woman does.

Mary highly honored, respected and loved the Lord.  She let Jesus know her honor of him.  Have we poured out our love, honor and respect for our Lord as well?  Most likely all of the family members knew what she would do with this spikenard.

With all our worship, there is also opposition. Keep our eyes on the Lord.

What did Mary’s action represent from Jesus point of view? His death is coming.  He understood her worship and honored and defended her actions.

His word in Matthew 26:13 says it all,

¹³ Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

beginning of Martha and Mary

Women of Courage – Martha and Mary introduction

September 6, 2014

Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-45, John 12:1-7, Mark 14:3-9, Matthew 26:1-16, Luke 7:36-50

Bethany – Martha and Mary remain in Bethany throughout their appearance in scripture

Bethany is on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, on the Mount of Olives.  Jesus spent much time there, seemingly preferring to stay there rather than in Jerusalem itself.  Preciously, it was at Bethany that Jesus ascended into heaven.  Today, Bethany is a small, run-down town.  According to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1939), “Bethany […] is a miserably untidy and tumble-down village”.  The current town of Bethany is apparently further East than the ancient town that Jesus frequented.  Some believe that it is near the tomb of Lazarus rather than where the homes actually were in ancient Bethany.  Bethany today is affected by the political turmoil in the area, torn between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Bethany seems to have withered as the fig tree. 

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well - Conclusion

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well    - Conclusion

We ended in day three- the truth about the woman’s life was unmentionable with her, but Jesus went directly to her heart.  The second reflection is that the woman saw her sin as a significant issue, but Jesus wanted to make her whole, to forgive her sin.  Man tends to glory in their depravity, but God looks at us all the same. We are all depraved, all sinners, all dead in our trespasses and sins, therefore we need to Glory in our God for His forgiveness.

Shera brought out this verse, to show how God judged the men during Hosea’s time:

Hosea 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.

The men bore responsibility. Jesus brought the Samaritan woman’s town into salvation.  He lead the men to turn from their sin, to change the heart of the town toward the Lord.  As the Lord has impressed on us-   Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

We should reflect on where we came from, remembering the pit that we were pulled from, but we shouldn’t dwell in and on them.  God should have the glory always! If we focus on our past we never get past it.  God has brought us out of that and works in us to perfect us.  We can use what we have been through to help others, but not to glory in it.

John 8: 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.  15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. 16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.  Jesus desired to give the woman eternal life.  She turned from her sin.

Let’s not dwell in the past sin, God no longer sees those sins if we have truly been forgiven.  God has transferred our sin and in return given us His righteousness. Let us Glory in God and set aside those weights, straining to win the race that we might give God the honor he deserves.

Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well - July 19,2014

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well    - July 19,2014

We began by once again reviewing the words of the scriptures: John 4: 4-42

We are now at question #7 which has 3 parts to it

            What did the Samarian woman do after her conversation with Jesus :

She went to others to invite them to him. She didn’t question the change of subject from the living water and into the question about her husband.  At this point she believes what has been told to her, but she wasn’t really clear about what had happened.  She went to tell those around her with boldness to come see that man that had told her all things.  These would be the heads of the households.  She left her water pot to go tell others.

In what ways was hers a “normal” response? What about her response was unusual?

She was doing what all new converts do, proclaim the Lord.  She moved directly to tell others. When something wonderful happens to us we want to share it. She knew that she now had a hope and she knew that others needed to hear this man!  She was a different person now. We all think back on our conversion, our responses, and the joy the Lord gave to us.

It would be unusual to those that knew her before.  There had been a change in her.

There should never be a “normal” response from us to the Lord. His work is supernatural.  Our response should be filled up and over flowing.

Question #8 – Compare how the people of Sychair responded to Jesus to the way in which various groups of Pharisees and scribes responded to Him during His early ministry.  (Luke 15:1-2, 19:1-10, Matt. 11:18-19, Matt. 9:11-13, Luke 5:29- 32, and Matt. 8:28-34).

The men of Sychair believed Jesus’s words and the Pharisees did not believe his words. 
The men of Sychair knew that they were sinners as well, they may have had relations with this woman (since she had had 5 husbands) they recognized their sins.  The Pharisees and scribes didn’t see their sin, only that they followed the law and that they were righteous in their own eyes.  They felt they had earned their salvation, they had done everything they needed to do. The men of Sychair realized that there was nothing they could do to get rid of their sin and their searched for this man that had moved the heart of this woman.

We all have a tendency to judge.  But we should be able to forgive and embrace those that have fallen, but have turned to the Lord for forgiveness.  We are to bring them back, to love them in spite of their past sin.  To show them that God loves those that turn their heart to them and trust in His forgiveness.

Zacchaeus sought the Lord, trying to understand who Jesus is.  He runs ahead to see the Lord.  God knows the heart.  Zacchaeus turns and repents. He was a changed man and he determines to restore the things he had taken from others.  He automatically has his whole life turned around… just like the woman at the well.

Let’s not have a cold heart of self-righteousness or prideful, but instead realize that our sins are just as bad at any other person’s sin.

We finished by reading Philippians 3.

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well June 21, 2014

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well      June 21, 2014

We began by reviewing three translations of the spoken words from John 4:1-42.

We discussed some of the differences in capitalization and grammar structure differences between the different versions.

Question 4: what are the characteristics of the “living water” that Jesus offered to the Samaritan woman? Jesus was referring to the spirit not the flesh.  He was reaching into her heart and beginning to reveal to her who he really was.  She only sees a man that has been walking, is tired, is thirsty, and is a Jew ( a man that should think of her as a dog).   But in his words of

vs. ¹³ Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

¹⁴ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus is telling her about the living water, that supplies our thirst for everlasting life.  All the words that we have heard in church and understand, but like this woman, the world would not understand these words. They need to be called by the Lord and the words revealed in understanding to them.

Looking at vs. 10 we compared the cross referenced scriptures:

Vs. ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou would have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

The Gift                     John 3:16 – the gift of God;  Isaiah 9:6 – a Son is given;  Isaiah 42:6 – I will keep you  and give You as a covenant to the people;  Romans 6:23- The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord;  Romans 8:32 He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all;  2 Cor. 9:15 – Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift;  Eph. 2:8-9 it is the gift of God;  James 1:7 – every good and perfect gift is from above;  John 3:34-36 ; Romans 5:15- the free gift

Living Water                         Isaiah 12:3-4 – water from the wells of salvation;  Isaiah 44:3- I will pour water on him who is thirsty;  Jeremiah 2:13 – They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters;  Zechariah 13:`1- in that day a fountain shall be opened;  Zechariah 14:8 – that living waters shall flow from Jerusalem;  John 7:37-38 – If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink;  Revelation 21:1-8 ; Revelation 22:1

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well

Women of Courage –The Woman at the Well      June 7, 2014

We began by reading John 4:1-42  

#1 What about the setting of the Samaritan woman’s story makes it remarkable? What is distinctive about the well itself that makes it an important symbol in the story?

We viewed the map of the area of Samaria.  When Jacob returned and traveled through the land, Rachel took Laban’s idols and Jacob buried the idols. Jacob reconciled with Esau and Jacob was content, so he crosses the river into the land.  He bought the land to live on and dug the well in this city.  

Gen. 33:18-19 ¹⁸ And Jacob came to Shalem, a city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padanaram; and pitched his tent before the city. ¹⁹ And he bought a parcel of a field, where he had spread his tent, at the hand of the children of Hamor, Shechem's father, for an hundred pieces of money.

So this plot of land is interwoven into the history of Israel. In 722 the people of this land began to intermarry with the other nations.  The Samaritan woman would know this history, especially since she makes the claim of it being Jacob’s well.

This well was from a spring, a living well, deep and pure.  One in amongst many that are brackish and undrinkable.  She was so protective of her heritage, but in verse 15 she seems to make a complete 180. Was she being impertinent? Or sincere? Yet Jesus knew exactly how to converse and direct the conversation. She was married several times and now living with a man. She was most likely outcast from the women, and therefore more social with men.  Jesus was leading her to the place where she needed to be.  She was chosen for the contrast and change she would show to others.  She would not be shy in her proclamation of God.

#2 Why was it unusual for Jesus to be in Samaria?  Jesus was a Jew and this was Samaria. They had no dealings with one another and these people really did not get along.  But for Jesus, it wasn’t all that unusual, since he sought out the sinner wherever they were.  They were so used to going to where they believed God was, but here was God visiting her. 

Jesus has recently visited with Nicodemus and had the conversation with him, then he makes the direct line to go to Samaria.

Women of Courage – Anna – April 19, 2014

Women of Courage – Anna – April 19, 2014

We continue Question 4 – How was Anna like or unlike the 5 women prophetesses?

We began by reading 2 Kings 22:1-20

The strong words declared through Huldah that young King Josiah tore his robe as he realized that the Israelites had turned away from God.  God sent the strong words of Israel’s fate and let the king know that he would be buried before this took place.  He would not see the destruction. This is a picture of what is happening in America and the world.  Idol worship, self-worship and degradation fills our world.  We should listen to the words of the Lord as if he is speaking directly to us all.  

 Why was Huldah recognized as the true prophet of God. Where were the other prophets?  We should be speaking up for our God.  What is holding us back?

What is the comparison with Anna?  Anna and Huldah definitely knew God’s word. Both knew the prophecies and had God in her heart.  Huldah knew that the judgment was coming and would affect all in the land, including her family.  God chose these women to proclaim the words of the Lord.  God did not randomly choose either woman, they were foreordained to proclaim these messages.  They had to have humility and only lifted their voice to glorify God.

We will be looking in the next few weeks:

Are there any coincidences for a Christian? What evidence have you seen in your own life that God is in control of all chance encounters?

Anna - April 5, 2014

Women of Courage – Anna – April 5, 2014

Question 4 – How was Anna like or unlike the 5 women prophetesses?

Miriam- We looked again at the scriptures in Exodus 14:1 to 15:21

Shera shared with us the notes from MacArthur on this question and added the scripture from Numbers 12:1-15. Miriam and Aaron both sinned against Moses and God in murmuring and being prideful.  God knew how to get the both of them to understand and be corrected into getting back into a correct relationship with him.  Miriam became leprous and Aaron reacted in repentance.

Miriam was a strong testimony to the women. She led all the women out to praise God. This was a great number of women. She would be an influence on many others.  Miriam through this role as a leader stepped into pride and then rebellion against what God had ordained.

Deborah - Judges 4:1-23 Why was Deborah a judge, why was there not another man during her time that would be a judge of Israel.  She was a spiritual and political leader.  It may have been a bleak time of unrighteousness. Did the Lord raise her up to demonstrate to Israel, the men should not fear.  They needed to step up as men. Even Barak asked her to go with him into the battle, or he would not go.  The song Deborah sang chastised the tribes that did not join them in the battle.   

Anna spoke to those around her that would listen, she did not rule a nation, but did as she was called to do.  They both had a huge love for their nation and their people. We need to be like that, available and willing to serve.  We need to do our roles with our eyes on the Lord and our heart to share their love of God with others.

Keeping it Salty

Women of Courage – Anna – Mar. 15, 2014

We discussed the easy step into sin.  How we can be deceived to follow the wrong and errant road. We looked at the “devotional” page from Sarah Young’s book and how easy it is to follow the emotion and not the scripture.  God’s word is sufficient!! God’s revelation is complete and inerrant.  There are many that will follow wrong teaching, their minds have been blinded. We need to pray that the Lord would keep us on the straight path.

2 Cor. 4:3-4 Satan is strong and is at work to deceive us, to lead us into destruction.  We need to stay strong in the Lord and pray for his discernment.  God is in control.  We need to lean on God’s word and his strength.

We have to have the courage to speak for God, to speak against the perversion of scripture. Many false prophets are in the world, we need to be God’s salt.

 

Women of Courage – Anna – Mar. 1, 2014

Women of Courage – Anna – Mar. 1, 2014

2. Three verses in Luke tell Anna’s story, from them what do they tell us about Anna?

^{Luke 2: 36} And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; ³⁷ And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. ³⁸ And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

She was at least 84 yrs. old, a prophetess who fasted and prayed night and day, she was married 7 yrs. She had suffered this loss, then lived at the temple, and was content to serve God night and day.  She was a young woman when she began her service in the temple. She was obedient to her God. She knew the scriptures and placed her life in God’s hands. She had lived a long time before Christ, and therefore had seen a lot of sin in the land.  She thanked God and spoke to others that came in and out of the temple about God’s redemption.  She came from the tribe of Asher. She was placed in the pages of scripture. God wanted us to know these details about her. As quoted, “she was not defined by a husband’s absence but by God’s presence”.

At the very moment that Christ was brought to the temple, she was allowed to see and know who he was. She did not doubt who he was and began immediately to proclaim God’s great gift.

3. Anna and Hannah are similar in what ways?

Hannah was faithful to visit the temple. They both loved the Lord and prayed to the Lord a lot.  They both looked for the redemption of Israel.  They both served and fasted. Both had sorrow and trusted God through it. Hannah fasted for her sorrow.  They both served, either at home, around her, or at the temple. They prayed fervently. They were dedicated to their service and were committed to stay in the service for God.  They both lived during corrupt times, saw a lot of evil, and yet they both depended upon God.

Are we committed to our service for God?  This is a question we need to ask ourselves.  When we age and our bodies weaken we should still seek ways in which to serve God.  We are the temple of God and we should be serving God where we are and where God leads you.  Are we putting the effort into what we do as a joyful service, or is it a burdensome task.   Why are we in service? Is it all about you, the attention, or because you are praising God with the tasks that you are doing? 

4.  How was Anna like or unlike the five women called prophetesses in the Old Testament?

Shera gave us the scriptures to read about all these women and then mentioned a handout that she would be sending out to us that would help us understand these prophetesses.

 

 

Women of Courage – Anna, Feb. 15, 2014

Women of Courage – Anna, Feb. 15, 2014

We began with the shepherds that knew that Jesus was the Christ at his birth.

We read Luke 2:8-20   And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.⁹ And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

¹⁵ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶ And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

¹⁸ And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Shepherds were hard working, common folk, unremarkable people. They are not named; they were the everyday working people. The function of the shepherd as a symbol or metaphor of what God is like. Shepherds have been mentioned throughout the Bible, from the beginning in Genesis, Abel was a shepherd.  Then many of the main people that followed God were shepherds or shepherdesses. 

Sheep supply a great deal: clothing, food, milk, fertilizer. They were an important product for the people.  Shepherds were the caretakers of this important commodity.  Kings, because of their caring for their people, were often referred to as the shepherds of their nation. 

These shepherds were anticipating the coming of the Messiah. God sent his message to those that he knew were full of faith and looking to God.

The other words that really pop out are about the Glory of God.  It was a glory that had not been seen before in this way.

 Isaiah 6:2-3 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. ³ And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

This is a picture of the Angels and their recognition of God.  These angels knew the glory of God and praised God through it.  This was not a quite event, many knew and proclaimed it to many others and the words spread.

Psalm 72:18-20 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. ¹⁹ And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. ²⁰ The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

These people are recognizing from the birth of Jesus that he is the promised Messiah.  He is the fulfillment of all the prophecy. 

Simeon would be the next one to recognize the Christ.  Luke 2:25-33. It says specifically that he was filled with God’s spirit.  He had seen other babies, but he knew that this was the one.  The Holy Spirit was revealing it to him. Anna came at the very moment that this was happening and shared in this moment of joy.

The wisemen became proclaimers of God’s gift as well. They praised and worshiped God.  We read Matthew 2:1-23

Women of Courage – Anna, Feb. 1, 2014

Women of Courage –  Anna, Feb. 1, 2014

We can’t comprehend how God came down and became a man.  We understand our humanity, but it is linked to sin, whereas, Jesus was sinless.  So, it is difficult to really understand.  Shera shared with us a devotional related to Jesus’s humanity by Bob Coy and gave scriptures to our ladies to share when we get to those passages.   

These are the passage addresses:

Hebrews 7:25, 4:15; Col 1:15; 1 John 2:6; Isa. 7:14; Matt. 2:1-2; 1 Tim. 1:15-17; 2 Cor. 5:18-19

If you were unable to attend this meeting, Shera would be willing to share the devotional with you if you ask her.

We continued to talk about those that were aware of who Jesus was at his birth.

Matt. 1:18-25 we visited Joseph again in these scriptures. Joseph was a righteous man, he was supposed to uphold the law; so, what he had to deal with was immense.  Joseph didn’t know the truth for sure until he was told by the angel, but once he was told he did not sway from the truth, he dealt with it as he was supposed to and was most likely relieved.   Joseph was the “son of David” which is a title from royalty.  Joseph and Mary most likely had an arranged marriage and grew to love one another over time.   He was similar to the kinsman redeemer in his actions.

Luke 2: 1-7 - This is the time when Joseph and Mary had to travel because of the census and when Mary would give birth.  Mary’s lineage went back through David’s line as well.  V.16 Joseph is there when the shepherds and then the wisemen came.  V.22 They went through the purification time.

 Lev. 12:1-8- Mary’s purification and Jesus’s circumcision.

Luke 2 :33 -  Matthew 2:1-23 – after the visit of the Magi; Joseph was told to flee to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod, and fulfilled the prophecy( Hosea 11:1). Then an angel told him to return to Israel, and being afraid of the new ruler, God directed him to Galilee.

Matt. 2:39-40 this is the last time we hear of Joseph until Jesus was in the temple when he was 12. 

Bible Study - Anna - Jan. 18th, 2014

Women of Courage –  Anna – Jan. 18^th, 2014

Shera brought us a large number of scripture to help us understand our first question: Who recognized Jesus’s birth and on what basis did each person or group recognize him?

We read Luke 1:1-45

Luke 1 King James Version (KJV)

1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, ² Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; ³ It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

⁵ There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. ⁶ And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. ⁷ And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

⁸ And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, ⁹ According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. ¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. ¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

¹³ But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ¹⁴ And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. ¹⁵ For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. ¹⁶ And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

¹⁷ And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ¹⁸ And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. ¹⁹ And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

²⁰ And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. ²² And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

²³ And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. ²⁴ And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, ²⁵ Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. ²⁶ And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. ³⁰ And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³¹ And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. ³² He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: ³³ And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

³⁴ Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? ³⁵ And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. ³⁶ And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

³⁷ For with God nothing shall be impossible. ³⁸ And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. ³⁹ And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; ⁴⁰ And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. ⁴¹ And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

⁴² And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. ⁴³ And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Then we visited the whole recounting of Jesus’s birth and the events around him.  First was Zacharias- Luke 1:1-45

He was an old priest and was serving his required service.  He had married within his tribe and both he and his wife were righteous in God’s sight, believing His word.  He walked blamelessly in the law, doing things right.  So, why did he doubt? Perhaps he was still afraid, his humanness was still there.  It was 400 years since God had given a message to his people.  Gabriel was an angel that stood in the presence of GOD!!  But in Gabriel’s words the fact that Zacharias did not believe, trust, his own doubts caused his silence.  His questions were similar to those asked by Mary.  The sign of his silence was a proof of the revelation he had been given.   

We need to be careful not to only focus only on being righteous in our walk that we lose sight of the movement of God.

Elizabeth and baby John – vs. 39-45 She was in seclusion for 5 months until Mary came and she felt her baby leap within her as both were filled with the Holy Spirit.  Her reaction to seeing Mary was a filling of the Holy Spirit and she proclaimed a blessing on Mary.   She knew that the Lord had entered her house!

Zacharias’s Prophecy – Luke 1:67-80

John the Baptist- Luke 1:57-66

Word of the birth of John and the prophecy proclaimed spread throughout the countryside of Judea.  By the time that Jesus began his ministry, there were many that knew of the prophecy and the movement of God. They knew the stories their fathers had told and many generations had past.  God had been silent for so long and now they knew that God was certainly with him. What would this boy become!

Because we studied Mary in our last study, we won’t spend time going through her experience again.

Joseph – Matthew 1:18-25 Matthew got his knowledge from his firsthand accounts from Jesus and Jesus’s mother and possibly Joseph.  Joseph knew that Jesus was the Son of GOD.  But he was Jesus’s earthly father and so he trained him in the ways that he knew. Joseph trained him in carpentry.  Joseph relied on the Lord to direct him in keeping Jesus safe.  Joseph instructed him in the Torah. 

Because of Jesus’s humanity he has allowed us to know him on a human level. We know he was a friend, a son, a brother, cousin, etc. and because of that we identify with him.