Lessons From the Ladies

Lessons From the Ladies

“So God created people in His own image; God patterned them after Himself male and female He created them.”(Gen 1:27) “Then God looked over all He had made and He saw that it was excellent in every way.” (Gen. 1:31)

And then came the fall.

Eve, the helpmate God had created for Adam, succumbed to the temptation of the serpent, ate of the forbidden fruit and thus began the chain of disobedience that continues to this day.

Many sins of early times seem to have been instigated by women. Sarai became tired of waiting for God to provide the promised heir and decided to help by giving Hagar, her hand maiden, to her husband. The result of this union was the birth of Ishmael who became the father of the Ishmaelites and Midianites, oppressors of the people of Israel. Today, the Ishmaelites are often identified with Arab nations.

Lot, Abraham’s nephew, had two daughters who enticed their father to drink much wine planning to become impregnated by him. Each bore a son who became fathers of the Moabites and the Ammonites. Again, these were enemies of the people of Israel.

Rebekah, wife of Isaac, devised a plan for her favorite son Jacob, to deceive his father and receive the blessing due his twin brother, Esau. Leah was an innocent victim in a ruse to deceive Jacob when unknowingly he married her instead of his love, Rachel.

It appeared the actions of these women, plus many more over the years, would delay or curtail the plan of the Lord. BUT GOD is faithful. What He says He will do, He does. His promises are sure and unchangeable. God did punish Adam and Eve, sending them out of the Garden of Eden into a harsh world where there would be pain, suffering and death. But He gave them a covering and He promised one day a Savior would come and defeat evil. God did keep His promise to Abram. Sarai conceived and gave birth to Isaac, the child of the covenant.

Although the Israelites suffered much oppression from surrounding tribes, God was always with them, hearing their pleas for help, teaching and encouraging them to trust Him. God’s covenant promise would continue through Jacob as it would have without Rebekah’s help. Leah was unloved by Jacob but blessed by God with six sons one of whom was Judah. Jesus was called the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

Through the foibles and sometimes dastardly deeds of both men and plans. His love, saving grace and infinite mercy are always present. The Bible has been given to us so we may learn from the stories of those who went before us. May we be receptive as the Holy Spirit, our guide and teacher, opens God’s word to our understanding and may we trust the Master planner as we follow Him throughout life’s journey.

......Pat Earl (brian.earl@sympatico.ca) by way of 'Christian Voices' (christianvoices@att.net)