Deborah

Deborah

Scripture References: Judges 4-5

Her Situation:

The heart of where the Israelites were at:

               “They were hardly steeled in the land when they proved to be greedy, selfish, and forgetful of Him from whom all blessings flowed. They took God’s earthly gifts but rejected His Word. God’s purpose was the destruction of idolatry, but theirs became the enjoyment of their vineyards and the mixing of cultures. In spite of pious promises, the Israelites turned their backs on God and became carnal and increasingly corrupt, becoming friends with the sensual Canaanites and bowing down to their idols (Judges 2; 3:5-7). Then the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel and, wherever they went, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil. God’s promises to His people are sure, but He cannot condone disobedience and evil. His hate of sin is as certain as His marvelous display of grace. God’s people had forsaken Him, and now He would no longer help them to drive out the rest of the Canaanites. Many heathen nations would now remain in the land (which they could have possessed completely), and these people would be like unrelenting thorns in their sides. Their gods would be snares to them. Distressed as Israel became, they had no excuse for their predicament, for Jehovah had warned them repeatedly and had reasoned with them, ‘Why have ye done this?’ With their lips they said, ‘We will serve Jehovah,’ but they bowed in the dust before Baal and gave the strength of their bodies to Ashteroth. How like God’s ancient children we are! We say, ‘Use me for Thy glory,’ and then seek our own. We pray, ‘Help me to live for Thee,’ and then spend all of our strength to satisfy selfish desires. We read that God sold the nations to their enemies, as if to say ‘They are not Mine, they are yours; do with them as you will’ (Josh. 23:13; Judges 4:2). So Israel was exploited and burdened; their crops were eaten by another, their property pillaged. People were turned out of their homes, their women were molested, and their young men were made slaves. Warriors were cowed and leaders dispersed. They were in extreme distress. Independence was gone, and they were oppressed by a strong military power with no sense of justice. This time it was Jabin, the king of Canaan, and ruthless Sisera, who held them in iron clutches. At last there was no way for this stiff-necked people to look but up. They cried out to God, and He heard and provided a deliverer, the strong-minded Deborah. It was in her ear that they poured out their troubles. They knew her to be a courageous, wise, and godly woman, and they cried, ‘Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, awake, utter a song’ (Judges 5:12), hoping that, though they were sore distressed and deeply humbled, they would once again come to sing the glorious praises of the great I AM. ” –Frances Vander Velde

Her Inspiration

Read Judges 4

Deborah was a prophetess. The gift of prophecy is “the ability to discern the mind and purpose of God and declare it to others.” –Herbert Lockyer

She was the wife of Lapidoth. (This is the only genealogy we have of Deborah)

Lapidoth’s names means “torches” or “lightning flashes” which indicates he may have sparked the flame in Deborah’s heart to do what she did.

“To become like Deborah –a woman used powerfully by God, a woman entrusted with leadership responsibility, a woman given a great ground for service to the kingdom –you must first be faithful as a wife.” –Elizabeth George

The role of a wife:

To Help: Genesis 2:18 NLT “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”

To Submit: Ephesians 5:22 KJV “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.”

To Respect: Ephesians 5:33 ESV “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.”

To Love: Titus 2:4 NKJV “that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children”

She was called “a mother in Israel,” though we have no record of her children we are not sure if she was just a mother figure to Israel or actually bore physical children. Either way, she was a mother figure in Israel. She portrayed a tender power and was approachable to the men around her.

If you are going to be a powerful woman of God and influence others around you and gain their respect, you must have a motherly sense about you. Others will not respond with this lacking as it will keep them from trusting you.

Deborah was the only woman to serve as a judge of Israel. She was the fifth judge.

She was also a poet.

Deborah’s name means “a bee,” which would leave me to believe that Deborah was a very hard working woman.

“Science confirms the ancient belief that, of all the animal kingdom, the bee ranks among the highest in intelligence,” says Mary Hallet. “So Deborah stands out as among the wisest of all the Old Testament women.”

How did Deborah show wisdom with her position? Through HUMILITY.

●     Judges 2:16 tells us the Lord raised up judges. The Lord Himself had raised her up and given her this position.

●     Deborah called for Barak to lead the people, not seeking to do everything herself.

●     Deborah served Barak when he asked her to come alongside him in the mission.

The way to be great in God’s kingdom is to walk the path of humility.

1 Peter 5:5 NKJV “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6 NKJV “Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

Deborah ruled under a palm tree and this was a land mark because palms were rare at that time in Palestine. (Judges 4:5)

What idols do you personally struggle bowing down to? (A perfect Christian marriage or home, a booming ministry, wealth, beauty, control)

What sins do you need to confess to the Lord and forsake them and DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM? (self-worship, self-centeredness, self-dependence, impurity, hypocrisy, discontentment, worry, discouraging others, complacency)

Leviticus 19:4 NASB “Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God.”

1 John 5:21 NASB “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”

1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

“Paul knew something that many Christians still have not learned –that the human heart is idolatrous and will worship anything it can possess. Therein lies the danger of the ‘good’ things. We have surrendered evil things, bad things, but we hold on to the good things and these we are prone to worship. Whatever we refuse to surrender and count but loss, we will ultimately worship. It may be something good, but it gets between you and God –whether it be property or family or reputation or security or  your life itself.” -AW Tozer

Prophets were inspired and Deborah the prophetess was full of inspiration! She had the gift to stir up people and move and motivate them.

Her Bravery:

Deborah saw a need and rose up and did something about it! She did a good job because the land had rest for forty years.

Deborah called for Barak, telling him to deliver the country. He said he would go only if Deborah went with him. They needed a brave heart!

The odds were against them but Deborah believed her God.

Deborah was a warrior.

Her Song:

Read Judges 5

Out of the conquest and victory, Deborah wrote a song. Her calling from God not only inspired her to fight, it inspired her to sing.

Outline of Deborah’s Song

(v. 1-5) –History verifies that the Lord sent a rainstorm and all of Sisera’s 900 chariots got stuck in the mud.

(v. 6-8) -Shagmar was a previous judge at a time when it was not safe to travel on the highways.

             -Deborah’s pride was in that she was a mother.

             -The people rejected the One True God and turned to false gods and worshiped them.

(v.9 ) –Deborah showed her support for other godly rulers in the land.

(v.10-11) –The gates were a place of assembly and where the people would meet and talk about topics of the day. Now the topic would be the righteous deeds of the Lord.

(v.12-13) –After the victory Deborah still tells Barak to rise up.

(v.14-18) –not all the tribes helped. Reuben acted as if there was no war. The tribe of Issachar stood with Deborah and Barak. Dan was busy in commerce. Asher continued on the seashore. Zebulun and Naphtali fought really well.

(v.19-20)  –These former enemies of Israel helped fight at the water of Megiddo which is near what will be Armageddon one day.

(v.21-23) –Meroz did not come to help the work of the Lord and they were cursed. The Lord secured their victory.

(v.24-31) –Jael is blessed. With a motherly heart, Deborah thinks of Sisera’s mother. Taking anyone’s life is sorrowful.

Life Lesson:

“May we, like Deborah, awaken to the need of the kingdom of God, arise to do our part, and march on with the Lord of Hosts to victory. And those who love and serve Him will “be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might” (Judges 5:31). –Frances Vander Velde

Discussion Questions:

1.      Where did Deborah live? Who was her husband? Where did she sit as judge?

2.      How would you describe Deborah’s personality?

3.      What can you personally apply in the story of Deborah that you want to share with the group?

Rachel

Women of the Bible 
Rachel

Scripture References:

Genesis 29-31; 33:1-7; 35:16-26; 46:19-25; 48:7; Ruth 4:11; 1 Samuel 10:2; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18

Her History:

Rachel was a shepherdess

The name Rachel means “ewe” a female lamb. It was implied as a term of endearment. As she was a shepherdess, the Lord was her Shepherd!

Rachel was the daughter of Laban, Rebekah’s brother. So Rachel was Rebekah’s niece.

Rachel had two sons: Joseph and Benjamin

Her Romance:

Read Genesis 29:1-20

Rachel was loved greatly and pursued by Jacob.

Just like we saw with Rebekah we see here with Rachel that God brought about an extra ordinary circumstance while Rachel was faithfully doing her daily chores. It is when we are faithful with our every day responsibilities, working at them with all our heart unto the Lord, that God brings about and accomplishes His will in our life naturally.

Rachel wasn’t off on some journey or quest, she was doing what she was supposed to be doing, tending the sheep.

What responsibilities has God called you to be faithful with, in this season in your life? Take a moment to write them down.

God’s desire is that we be faithful with what He has called us to do and work hard at our responsibilities and He will move us forward and onward! God works and moves in the ordinary circumstances of our every day. He is interested more in our CHARACTER than in what we can do and accomplish for Him.

“We are apt to forget that often the most seemingly ordinary incidents in life are as much of the divine plan as the smallest parts of a watch, and upon these smallest parts of the plan all the others depend. Our steps, when ordered by the Lord, lead to great issue.” -Herbert Lockyer

All the little things DO matter to God!

“As I look back over my life, a major testing of my faith came with our three children, and a few years later, a fourth. (Then there was a period later on when we had four teenagers all at once.) I think God had looked down at me and said, “How are We going to get any fruit of the Spirit into this woman? How can We educate her? I know. We’ll send her to the School of Instant and Constant Motherhood. This is a good curriculum for teaching total dependence, patience, kindness, self-control, love -all the fruit of My Spirit.” -Cynthia Heald, A Woman’s Journey to the Heart of God

In verse 3 we see Jacob went to a well. It is interesting to note that Eliezar, Isaac’s servant, found Rebekah at a well and Jacob encountered Rachel at a well. In Exodus 2:15-21 we read Moses sat down by a well and met Jethro’s seven daughters and married one of them, Zipporah. In the Old Testament you see women finding their future husbands by a well! How much more wonderful the story of Jesus meeting the woman at the well now becomes!

Take a preview of this woman! Read John 4:6-26.

Jesus came and PURSUED this woman. He pursued her heart. In front of everyone He talked with her, He valued her and cared for her. JESUS pursues us! Ask Him to give you eyes to see the ways He is pursuing you!

Jesus wants to intimately pursue you. He knows everything about you but He wants you to know and discover more about Him and how He loves you. He wants to spend time with you so that you will begin to see and discover the ways He loves you!

Jacob waited seven years to marry Rachel.

Waiting is ROMANTIC.

God is waiting for you. Patiently and lovingly God is WAITING for you to discover His love.

Read Romans 8:35-39

What emotions do these scriptures invoke in you?

Read Ephesians 3:14-21.

Are you ready to begin a journey in love with Jesus? He wants to pursue you that you may discover the abundant love He has for you. He wants to give you stories.

Her Marriage:

Read Genesis 29:21-30; 30:1-2

Unfortunately, Rachel’s marriage had a whole lot of drama. What is unveiled through these verses is that Jacobs amazing love for Rachel wasn’t enough. A man’s love and pursuit is not enough to satisfy us!

Colossians 2:10 NKJV

and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Psalm 145:16 NKJV

You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Psalm 81:10 NASB

I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

Isaiah 55:2 NKJV

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Isaiah 58:11 NKJV

The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Rachel said “Give me children, or else I die!” Her being was bound up in having children and she was hurting Jacob because he felt his love wasn’t enough for her...because it wasn’t!

When the Lord did provide her with children, she died in giving birth to Benjamin, her second baby boy. In labor she named him “Benoni” which means “son of sorrow”. Children do not satisfy the longings of our heart. Children can bring pain and sorrow to our hearts. Only Jesus satisfies.

Her temptations:

Genesis 30:1 “Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she became jealous of her sister;”

Rachel had given into jealousy. A very ugly and ungodly characteristic! Leah was jealous of Jacob’s love for Rachel and Rachel was jealous of Leah’s fertile womb.

As sisters in Christ we are to love each other. We are to rejoice with our sister who is rejoicing and weep with our sister who is weeping (Romans 12:15)

The woman who is secure in the Lord’s love and her identity in Christ can point out the wonderful qualities and talents her sisters in Christ have and encourage and love them. NOT pointing out her flaws or making a slight jab or a joke to her, especially in front of others.

Here are examples of what not to say compared to the right heart attitude:

Wrong -“She is a little consumed with her appearance.” Right- “Wow, she is so beautiful and takes good care of herself.”

Wrong - “She puts her children before her husband.” Right-“She has such a great ability to love children.”

Wrong - “She’s always at home and never gets together with us.” Right- “She is a great homemaker and has such peace in her home.”

Wrong - “She has her priorities out of whack” Right-“God has opened opportunities for her in her workplace. How exciting!”

Her motherhood:

Children are God’s gift to give!

Rachel turned her cry for children into prayer. Genesis 30:22 “Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.”

Rachel’s was the first recorded instance in the Bible of death through childbirth.

Read Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18

“Rachel’s cry for children was prophetic of the slaughter of the innocents when Christ was born (Matthew 2:16-18). Jeremiah pictures Rachel as rising from the grave to weep over the children being carried away to Babylon, never to return (Jeremiah 31:15). Thus the ‘Benoni’ of Rachel’s heart as she died has been re-echoed throughout the entire history of Israel.” –Herbert Lockyer

Life Lesson:

Only Jesus satisfies!

Psalm 62:5 NKJV

My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

Psalm 86:10 NKJV

For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.

Rebekah

Women of the Bible

Rebekah

Scripture References:

Genesis 22:23; 24; 25:19-28; 26:6-35; 27; 28:1-9; 29:12; 35:8; 49:31; Romans 9:6-16

Her God Story:

Read Genesis 24:1-14

Abraham knows the influence of a wife and wants to make a wise decision concerning his promised son! Who you marry is the SECOND most important decision in your entire life. Remember Jesus’ first miracle was at a wedding!

Proverbs 18:22 NKJV

He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.

Rebekah means “ensnarer” .

Rebekah was a captivating woman and had a lot of influence.

Rebekah is first mentioned in Genesis 22:20-24 in the genealogy of the descendants of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. Nahor had a son named Bethuel who was Rebekah’s father and Laban was Rebekah’s brother.

Rebekah was the wife of Isaac.

She was the first woman in the Bible mentioned to have twins named Esau and Jacob.

In Genesis 24:5 the servant asks Abraham “what if.” Most people take relationship matters into their own hands because they think “well what if…” and they choose not to be wise. Always seek to be WISE when it comes to relationship matters because relationships can be detrimental to us.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Trust in the Lord will all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

In Genesis 24:6 –Abraham says “BEWARE”. We need to beware when it comes to major decisions in our lives and not make them carelessly. We need to take a lot of thought and prayer and consideration. We need to seek the book of Proverbs for wisdom and insight.

In Genesis 24:7 –Abraham is saying the Lord who did all of this…He will do this too! Don’t forget all that God’s done in your life. He never wants to stop working that way in yours.

In Genesis 24:8  we see that Abraham thought through the situation and considered “Okay, if she’s not willing, STILL don’t take Isaac back there.” He still chose to be wise about this and remain in the place God called him.

Proverbs 16:9 NASB

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Like Abraham, as a parent, be praying for your children’s future spouses now. Be powerfully involved in the spiritual realm for this HUGE decision. It will also prepare your heart for when the time comes and then there will be joy. You will be involved.

24:11  - Rebekah walked right into God’s plan for her life when she was doing what she was supposed to be doing when she was supposed to be doing it.

Luke 16:10 NKJV

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

God is in the details! Ask Him for the ability to see Him working in the details.

God was preparing Rebekah to be the wife of Isaac. She didn’t know this. A lot of times God is preparing us for something we are unaware of. 

Esther 4:14 NKJV

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

When it comes to a marriage partner we need to let God do the choosing! Our job and responsibility is to be faithful to Him and listen to His direction and walk in prayer and in the Spirit. He will bring about circumstances that are His will that we will find ourselves simply walking in.

Read Genesis 24:15-28

Rebekah had a servant’s heart. We need to take each day and let it be of utmost importance in our minds and hearts because each day turns into a week, which turns into a month, which turns into a year, which turns into our life.

Day by Day (Secrets to Success)

-Spending time with God in prayer… do what He asks you to.

“Success is when preparation meets opportunity.”

Principles taken from Charles Stanley’s book How to Reach Your Full Potential for God:

Have a balanced schedule including these things:

1.                        Prayer and the Word

2.                        Church (Worship with fellow believers)

3.                        Family and Friends

4.                        Work

5.                        Relaxation and Rest

6.                        Sleep

7.                        Fitness and Health

Things I must do:

Things I should delegate:

Things I should ignore:

Ask these questions about your schedule: What stresses me? What makes me feel hurried, anxious, or rushed? What am I doing as a result of others insisting that I act or behave in a certain way? Is their insistence justified against what God has called and purposed for me to do?

Reevaluate your schedule periodically.

THIS IS HOW GOD STORIES HAPPEN!  It is when we are doing everyday life. It takes time.

God WANTS to give us stories to tell and testimonies to share.

Read Genesis 24:45-60

24:48 –God WANTS to guide you in the right way and He will be FAITHFUL to do it!

1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Rebekah had COURAGE. She was courageous to follow the adventure God had prepared for her and step out in faith.

Her marriage and motherhood:

Read Genesis 24:61-67

24: 67 –God can use marriage as a tool of comfort and healing.

Read Genesis 25:19-23

A pattern of barrenness appears in the lives of the people God calls and chooses. What was their response? PRAYER. God closes the “womb” or closes doors in our lives and allows for barrenness in our life so that we will pray.

Read Genesis 25:27-28

A huge mistake as a parent is showing favoritism. There is no partiality with God. We need to be sensitive to this with our children because it’s very painful to the core of their being.

Romans 2:11 NKJV

For there is no partiality with God.

Read Genesis 26:6-11

Learn from the scriptures and don’t repeat the same mistakes! Here Rebekah makes the same mistake that Sarah does. They both receive a PROMISE from God but do not WAIT ON THE LORD to let it unfold. They start manipulating the situation and use their own devises, scheming and deceiving to try to make the promise of God happen. It ALWAYS leads to pain.

God did not ask Rebekah to do any of this. You never see her seeking God concerning what He told her was going to happen. She never inquired of the Lord. She schemed and planned to fulfill her purposes and brought strife into the home. The ends never justify the means.

Review Genesis 27

The result? Jacob had to leave! Now she couldn’t be with the son that she loved.

Life Lesson:

Let God take the initiative and follow His lead.

Summary:

   “Some people are initiators. They help get the ball rolling. Rebekah would easily stand out in this group. Her life was characterized by initiative. When she saw a need she took action, even though the action was not always right.

    It was Rebekah’s initiative that first caught the attention of Eliezer, the servant Abraham sent to find a wife for Isaac. It was common courtesy to give a drink to a stranger, but it took added character to also fetch water for ten thirsty camels. Later, after hearing the details of Eliezer’s mission, Rebekah was immediately willing to be Isaac’s bride.

    Several later events help us see how initiative can be misdirected. Rebekah was aware that God’s plan would be channeled through Jacob, not Esau (Gen 25:23).  So not only did Jacob become her favorite; she actually planned ways to ensure that he would overshadow his older twin.  Meanwhile, Isaac preferred Esau. This created a conflict between the couple. She felt justified in deceiving her husband when the time came to bless the sons, and her ingenious plan was carried out to perfection.

   Most of the time we try to justify the things we choose to do. Often we attempt to add God’s approval to our actions. While it is true that our actions will not spoil God’s plan, it is also true that we are responsible for what we do and must always be cautious about our motives. When thinking about a course of action, are you simply seeking God’s stamp of approval on something you’ve already decided to do? Or are you willing to set the plan aside if the principles and commands of God’s Word are against the action? Initiative and action are admirable and right when they are controlled by God’s wisdom.”  -taken from Life Application Study Bible, Personality Profiles

Lot's Wife

Women of the Bible

Lot’s Wife

Scripture References:

Genesis 13; 19; Luke 17:29-33

Her Spiritual Inheritance:

Read Genesis 12:4-5

Lot’s wife was the niece of Abraham and Sarah. She had available to her rich spiritual resources.

Imagine how different her life would have been had she stayed close to Sarah and learned from her all that she could about following after God.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

This Psalm shows us that there are two ways for people to live: The way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.

The blessed man does not:

1.      Walk in the counsel of the ungodly

2.      Stand in the path of sinners

3.      Sit in the seat of the scornful

Blessed  is the word “esher” meaning  a person’s state of bliss. It is the word HAPPY!

It means “a joyful mental state of contentment, a joy, a condition of comfort and security for which a person is to be admired.” –notes from Key Word Study Bible commentary.

The blessed, or happy, woman delights in God’s Word. She has developed a hunger and a dependency on His Word for daily living.

There is power in the Christian life when we are meditating on God’s Word day and night because we ultimately do what we are thinking and meditating about. If we apply this principal with our heart (our emotions are involved) we will see our actions change and reflect the heart of God.

“Brings forth fruit in its season”… we need to wait and allow things to take time. God is a Gardener. He does things in your life in seasons and we need to wait for Him to work.

We each need to choose to receive the spiritual inheritance God has given to us. We all have it but we need to appropriate it into our lives.

Ephesians 1:3 (NASB) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”

We need to be wise women who learn from the lives of others, good and bad, and the examples in the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 10:7-14 (NKJV)

“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to drink, and rose up to play." Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Lot’s wife struggled with idolatry and worshiping the things others were worshiping around her.

Her marriage:

Read Genesis 13:1-13

Mr. and Mrs. Lot had a marriage based on the riches of this world. Lot had an eye for material wealth and sought to accumulate it. Lot is known for quarreling with Abraham’s servants over the best places and preferred the chance to get ahead. Lot put himself and his own opportunities first.

“Our problem in this materialistic age is the same as Lot’s –a distorted sense of values. We all too often count success by the things we own.” –Frances Vander Velde

There is no account of Lot’s wife influencing him toward godliness or righteousness. She was a woman with apparently little conviction and much weakness.

What an opportunity we have as wives to influence our husbands toward the things of God and things that are important. Our words can instill courage and bravery into our husbands to live for truth in a perverse and crooked world. These are the kind of women men want to hold onto. These are the kind of women that men respect, admire and remember.

Lot “lifted up his eyes” we read in verse 10, but he didn’t lift his eyes high enough to the Lord.  His eyes were set on this world.

Read 1 John 2:15-17.

Her Poverty:

Read Genesis 19:12-29.

What Sodom and Gomorrah really offered:

Genesis 19:4-9 – sexual perversion and sickness. Depravity and bondage.

2 Peter 2:6-10 –lawlessness, corruption, no fear of God

Jude 7 –indulged in gross immorality

This is what Lot’s wife fell in love with.

*When it comes to temptation we need to think on things that are true. To help you overcome temptation, take the thought captive and meditate what is true and real about the temptation. (Philippians 4:8 –sift all of your thoughts through this verse).

We cannot set our heart on both riches and God.

Matthew 6:24 (NLT)

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

“Lot’s wife became a monumental warning to all who love the world and the things of the world.” –Francis Vander Velde

Her motherhood:

Read Genesis 19:30-36.

Was it worth it? Was Lot’s wife a woman of God who feared the Lord and instilled the fear of the Lord in her children? Pray for daily wisdom in teaching your children to fear God and be a tool in His hands to train them up in righteousness.

Let us pray that our influence in the home may always be for good and for God!

Life Lesson:

Read Luke 17:29-33.

Lose your life in this world and gain it in the next world, the real one!!!!!!

Write out Matthew 6:21. 

(Magnify Him Women's Bible Study at Calvary Grace Fellowship!)

Sarah

Women of the Bible

Sarah

Scripture References:

Genesis 11:29-31; 12:5-17; 16:1-8; 20:2-18; 21:1-12; 23:1-19; 24:36-37; 25:10-12; 49:31; Isaiah 51:2; Romans 4:19; 9:9; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:6

About Sarah:

·         Sarah means “Princess”

·         Was the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

·         Became the mother of a nation

·         Was an ancestor of Jesus

·         Was the first woman listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11

Read Genesis 12:1-6

Her Journey:

Destination: UNKNOWN

God calls each of us as believers to leave our old self and our old lives in the world to live in a new kingdom and put on a new self. Just like Sarah, we all don’t know what lies ahead…but that is the exact reason the journey becomes an adventure and a way to draw close to the Lord and know Him better.

God has a journey for each of us and all of our destinations are unknown.

It is on this journey that God tests our faith, shows Himself strong, and sanctifies us.

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV) “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

On this Journey…

1.      God wants to show us the path. He doesn’t want us to make our own and add Him to ours.

2.      God wants us to discover His presence. Through this discovering of His presence we will receive a blessing of the fullness of joy. A discovery we all want to make!

3.      God wants us to obtain our inheritance. We have pleasures forevermore we know nothing of. On this path God has for us we discover God’s presence and it is IN God’s presence we will discover these pleasures. Our inheritance is intimacy with God.

Path  ---> Presence---> Pleasures

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

We have a map for the journey! It is God’s Word. Every day we need to spend time in God’s presence and read His Word. This is how we get to know Him. God wants to speak to you daily through your time in His Word.

Get a DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN!

Her marriage:

Read Genesis 12:7-20

Sarah was the wife of Abraham. She is known as the mother of many nations.

Sarah was under the authority and leadership of her husband and even though Abraham made a foolish and unwise decision, God protected her and blessed them.

“The most comforting thing to a child of God is the sovereignty of God.” –Charles H. Spurgeon

Read 1 Peter 3:1-6

There is order in marriage.

As a Christian wife our actions always speak louder than our words. We need to understand and grasp this. A lot of times we speak in fear. It is an act of faith to be submissive to our husbands and to trust the Lord.

When we learn to not act out of fear and insecurity, and allow the Lord to create a gentle and quiet spirit within us, we will be very attractive to our husbands. They will be drawn toward us, not pushed away.

Fear --->Worry ---> Speak (Nag) ---> Controlling ---> Irritable and Unpleasant

1 Peter 3:6 (NASB)

Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

Proverbs 21:9 (ESV)

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NKJV)

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, [you] will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are often tempted to overlook the importance of our character growth and we resort to examining our lives by what we are doing.

Her Beauty

Genesis 12:11b NASB “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman”

Beautiful Woman literally means “woman of beautiful appearance.”

We have all these ideas that come with all that comes with beauty…but there are negative things that come with it as well!

Review 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NASB)

Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV)

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 9:13 (NASB)

The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing.

Proverbs 11:16 (NASB)

A gracious woman attains honor.

Proverbs 11:22 (NASB)

As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

Her Faith:

Read Genesis 15:1-5; 16:1-6

“To a Hebrew woman, barrenness was looked upon as a gnawing grief, and sometimes regarded as a sign of divine disfavor.” –Herbert Lockyer

God promised Abraham and Sarah a son.

v. 2 –Sarah took the “fact” and presumed upon it herself. This is a dangerous attitude to have. “Well, God hasn’t provided for this…” “I need to do this because…” We justify our actions with “factual thoughts”. But our actions can be very far from pleasing God. It is the duty of a Christian to wait on God. Satan will tempt us to “help God along” or to start to act when it isn’t God’s timing. This is very important lesson in your walk. You will miss God working situations out EVERY TIME to make your own presumption and then act upon it.

On all of our journeys we will have doubts and failure. Continue to seek the Lord and let him redeem those times and work them out for your good and for His glory.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Life Lesson:

Hebrews 11:11 (NASB)

By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

**When you trust in the Lord, you will have a submissive heart because your faith is that God will take care of you.

(Magnify Him Women's Bible Study at Calvary Grace Fellowship!)