A brave princess (2)

Saturday 12 June 2021

A brave princess (2)

"A courageous woman, who will find her... She girds her loins with strength and strengthens her arms" Proverbs 31. 10, 17

What lessons can we learn from the story of Joshabeath ?

1- She was above all a courageous woman. Solomon when describing a valuable woman uses an expression usually reserved for men and more particularly for soldiers : "she girds her loins by force." Literally, she raises her tunic to free her legs and thus be able to fight like a soldier in battle or run faster like the prophet Elijah when he left Mount Carmel : “The hand of the Lord rested on Elijah who tied his belt and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel” (1 Kings 18. 46). In her determination to defend divine interests, she did not concern herself with decorum !

2- she was ready to do anything to act well, without thinking of the consequences if she was discovered. God judges in the heart, and as in David's case before Goliath, He is ready to support those who fight for His cause.

3- she was a light that shines in the night of oppression and evil, as we all should be too (Matthew 5:14). At a dark time in the history of Israel and Judah, she championed divine laws, and thus encouraged the return to God that the future King Joash would soon accomplish.

4- Its history proves, if it was still necessary, that God often used women to advance His plans even within patriarchal societies.

5- When God calls for our commitment, we must be ready to respond “present” without procrastinating or looking for excuses. His call is not delayed : “He who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not made for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9. 62).

6- Even at the worst times in history, God always intervenes to preserve His work and support His people. One last detail : the heroic action of this courageous princess preserved the righteous line of David from which Christ was later born, thus demonstrating how God always raises up men and women of faith to thwart Satan's plans !

Source (His Word for Today)