Saturday, February 9, 2013

ABIGAIL

ABIGAIL - LESSONS FROM A GREAT WOMAN OF FAITH


"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal 3:28-29


We do not cease to be who we are. All are equal at the foot of the Cross. All become "joint heirs with Christ" [Romans 8:16-17]. We have different gifts, but we have all been "baptized into one body by the one Spirit" [1 Cor. 12:12-13].

1. The Bible speaks of women.

a) "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also." Romans 16:1-2

"A woman was on her way to Rome. Wrapped in her cloak was a letter from Paul to the church at Rome. She was a messenger from the church at Cenchrea. Paul expected her to be received and assisted."

b) The last disciples to leave the Cross were women. The first disciples at the Empty Tomb were women. Joel's prophecy which was fulfilled at Pentecost spoke of both sons & daughters, men- servants and maidservants [Acts 2:16-21].

c) Jesus treated men and women equally. Compare Luke 8:1-3. "Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities--Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."


2. Abigail is one of the women honored by the Scriptures for faith and wisdom. [compare Rahab, Ruth, Tamar, Mary & Martha, etc.] 1 Samuel 25.

a. "And David arose and went down to the wilderness of Paran." David had been anointed king, but Saul would not step down and was fighting against David. Nabal was a wealthy landowner. David asked him for needed supplies. Nabal created division by slandering David and his men. David reacted in anger. "Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light." 1 Sam 25:21-22



 3. Abigail showed her wisdom.

a. The servants told Abigail what Nabal had done. "scoundrel" = "son of the devil"

b. What Abigail did. "Abigail did not respond by weeping in despair, throwing a fit of rage, or panicking with worry. She simply did what she could to bring peace."

"Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. And she said to her servants, "Go on before me; see, I am coming after you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal." 1 Sam 25:18-19



  4. People create division.

a. Nabal had a wrong spirit and attitude. He was obligated to help David. David was too quick to retaliate toward Nabal.

b. Division comes not merely when there are differing opinions, but when the offended parties do not want reconciliation.



 5. Peacemakers combat division.

a. "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." [James 3:18]. "Meanness gets you nowhere, but goodness is rewarded."

b. As long as Satan is the prince of this world, he will do all he can to divide and conquer. We must do our best to accept and love others, to forgive, and to strive for unity.

"The fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, ..." [Galatians 5:22-23].

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