Meditation

11/05/2021

“Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.” (Judges 4:4)

Women functioned as prophets in the Bible. Deborah was such a spiritual leader. Miriam, sister of Moses, is represented as speaking by divine inspiration (Exodus 15:20). Huidah (2^nd Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), and Anna (Luke 2:36) are called prophetesses. Deborah also judged the people, settling their disputes (Judges 4:5) and leading in political decisions (14:6-9). God inspired her to sing the song preserved in our Bible as Judges 5. I suspect their were more than this, but suffice it to say that women were integral in the Old and New Testaments.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, this day we come before You praising Your Holy Name and lifting up those since creation took place, both men and women, for stepping out in faith to do the will of God. Let our worship then flow out of grateful hearts. This we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“…it is not our culture to sin, it is our nature to sin; and only GOD will change that nature.”

KNOWING GOD:

“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.” (Acts 18:18)

Priscilla and Aquila were husband and wife, and they had quite often hosted Paul and others to come into their home for preaching and teaching. The were equally yoked in their faith, which attests to the fact that Paul would allow them to join him on the trip to Syria. Christians gathered at their houses in Corinth and Ephesus. She was a great encouragement to other leaders. Paul gave her special greetings (1^st Timothy 4:19). Clearly she was a leader in her won right. It may be significant that her name precedes that of her husband at times.

I AM:

“In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” (Romans 16:1-3)

All Christian disciples whether women or men, serve under he lordship of Christ. All have the same access to God in Christ. Women have always had a distinctive part in the ministry of Christian churches since he earliest days. In these verses Paul commended Phoebe as a servant of the church. “Servant” (Greek diakonos) refers to those we now call Deacons. In most mainline churches, Deacons serve in worship services, but their primary duties extend to the widows, orphans, and community services. The significance being that referred to Priscilla and Aquila as fellow workers, while Phoebe was referred to differently, which is why Phoebe probably took this letter to Jerusalem and she was formally introduced to the disciples as one that had served well and asked them to help her in any way possible.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” (1^st Timothy 3:11)

The context may make use of the word “wived” appropriate, but the Greek word (gunaikas) means simply “women.” In this context is is only appropriate that women referred to should be viewed as wife of deacons. Others insist that “the women” could refer to deaconesses or female deacons. No matter how “the women” may be viewed, these women were active in ministry. Their qualifications are similar to those give for deacons. Women have continued to be active in Christian ministry. Paul stressed the manner of behavior that is appropriate for them.