After a bit of a hiatus (100% my fault and not my faithful blogging buddies, Megan and Belinda!), we’re returning back to Through His Eyes: God’s Perspective on Women in the Bible by Jerram Barrs.
In chapter 11, we turn to 1Samuel 25, and meet Abigail, the wife of Nabal. Nabal, “the fool,” is a wealthy man, but also a man described as “harsh and evil in his dealings.” (v. 3) In dramatic contrast, Abigail is described as “intelligent and beautiful in appearance.” (v. 3) In the events of this chapter of 1Samuel, David, the anointed king of Israel, and his men have been guarding Nabal’s men and flock, and as such, David requests food and drink for his men. (v. 7-8) Nabal acts with disrespect towards David and his request (v. 9-11), and thus earns a response of anger from him (v. 12-13).
Upon learning the situation with her husband and David from a servant (v. 14-17), Abigail quickly works to save her household, and meets David with humble appeal (v. 23). It is at this point, through her words and actions towards David, that we see the depth of Abigail’s character and her faith in the Lord.
Barrs points out that Abigail’s actions went against her husband and his wishes. He writes, “We observe in this story that faithfulness does not always mean obeying those in authority over you… All believers are called to do what’s right in God’s eyes first, regardless of what those over them believe, say or do.” (p. 178) I agree, although I would strongly add that we must be sure of what’s right in God’s eyes! We must be careful not to confuse our own motives and wants with God’s will defined through Scripture. I think of the wisdom of Proverbs 2, in which the Lord exhorts us to “treasure my commandments within you, make (our) ear attentive to wisdom, incline (our) heart to understanding, … cry for discernment.” (v. 1-3) The promise in doing so is that “discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness…” (v. 11-13)
In this chapter, Barrs lists ten characteristics of Abigail’s wisdom. (p. 179) These are certainly characteristics that we all should seek to cultivate, though few come easily! What an example is Abigail, very practically demonstrating that “a soft answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1) in her humility before David. Barrs asks, are Abigail’s words against her husband, words of truth about Nabal’s “folly and wickedness,” “a betrayal, an example of dishonor, or an expression of inappropriate disrespect?” (p. 184) I do not believe that they are; however, I want to be careful to discern between my own emotions and truly acting with wisdom in hard situations.
I so appreciate Abigail’s willingness to appeal, and rest in, God’s sovereignty and perfect justice. She asks David to restrain his wrath, and indeed, David acknowledges, “Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from blood shed, and from avenging myself by my own hand.” (1Sam 25:33) Abigail is generous. Barrs writes, “We are to give gladly and to give generously to those who need our help and to those who have been kind and faithful in the way they serve us.” (p. 181) Abigail is humble- “she asks for David’s forgiveness and prays for God’s blessing on David.” (p. 181) Abigail is a woman of faith, trusting David as “bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God.” (1Sam 25:29)
And as the story of Nabal and Abigail and David concludes, we witness as God works out His perfect justice, as “about ten days later, it happened that the Lord struck Nabal and he died.” (1Sam 25:38) David is then able to send a proposal of marriage to Abigail, and she becomes his wife.
Barrs writes, “Abigail is a woman of beauty, humility, wisdom, courage, and faith. She saves the lives of her household. She keeps David free from the guilt of shedding innocent blood and becomes the wife of the future king… Abigail’s words show a deep understanding of the Word of God and of his law- they show the wisdom of a heart instructed by faith.” (p. 184) That is my prayer, to show the wisdom of a heart instructed by faith.
Barrs asks good questions at the end of the chapter, causing us to think about issues around authority, vengeance, and justice. Again, I commend this study, and this book!
In chapter 11, we turn to 1Samuel 25, and meet Abigail, the wife of Nabal. Nabal, “the fool,” is a wealthy man, but also a man described as “harsh and evil in his dealings.” (v. 3) In dramatic contrast, Abigail is described as “intelligent and beautiful in appearance.” (v. 3) In the events of this chapter of 1Samuel, David, the anointed king of Israel, and his men have been guarding Nabal’s men and flock, and as such, David requests food and drink for his men. (v. 7-8) Nabal acts with disrespect towards David and his request (v. 9-11), and thus earns a response of anger from him (v. 12-13).
Upon learning the situation with her husband and David from a servant (v. 14-17), Abigail quickly works to save her household, and meets David with humble appeal (v. 23). It is at this point, through her words and actions towards David, that we see the depth of Abigail’s character and her faith in the Lord.
Barrs points out that Abigail’s actions went against her husband and his wishes. He writes, “We observe in this story that faithfulness does not always mean obeying those in authority over you… All believers are called to do what’s right in God’s eyes first, regardless of what those over them believe, say or do.” (p. 178) I agree, although I would strongly add that we must be sure of what’s right in God’s eyes! We must be careful not to confuse our own motives and wants with God’s will defined through Scripture. I think of the wisdom of Proverbs 2, in which the Lord exhorts us to “treasure my commandments within you, make (our) ear attentive to wisdom, incline (our) heart to understanding, … cry for discernment.” (v. 1-3) The promise in doing so is that “discretion will guard you, understanding will watch over you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness…” (v. 11-13)
In this chapter, Barrs lists ten characteristics of Abigail’s wisdom. (p. 179) These are certainly characteristics that we all should seek to cultivate, though few come easily! What an example is Abigail, very practically demonstrating that “a soft answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1) in her humility before David. Barrs asks, are Abigail’s words against her husband, words of truth about Nabal’s “folly and wickedness,” “a betrayal, an example of dishonor, or an expression of inappropriate disrespect?” (p. 184) I do not believe that they are; however, I want to be careful to discern between my own emotions and truly acting with wisdom in hard situations.
I so appreciate Abigail’s willingness to appeal, and rest in, God’s sovereignty and perfect justice. She asks David to restrain his wrath, and indeed, David acknowledges, “Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from blood shed, and from avenging myself by my own hand.” (1Sam 25:33) Abigail is generous. Barrs writes, “We are to give gladly and to give generously to those who need our help and to those who have been kind and faithful in the way they serve us.” (p. 181) Abigail is humble- “she asks for David’s forgiveness and prays for God’s blessing on David.” (p. 181) Abigail is a woman of faith, trusting David as “bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord your God.” (1Sam 25:29)
And as the story of Nabal and Abigail and David concludes, we witness as God works out His perfect justice, as “about ten days later, it happened that the Lord struck Nabal and he died.” (1Sam 25:38) David is then able to send a proposal of marriage to Abigail, and she becomes his wife.
Barrs writes, “Abigail is a woman of beauty, humility, wisdom, courage, and faith. She saves the lives of her household. She keeps David free from the guilt of shedding innocent blood and becomes the wife of the future king… Abigail’s words show a deep understanding of the Word of God and of his law- they show the wisdom of a heart instructed by faith.” (p. 184) That is my prayer, to show the wisdom of a heart instructed by faith.
Barrs asks good questions at the end of the chapter, causing us to think about issues around authority, vengeance, and justice. Again, I commend this study, and this book!
1 comment:
K - thanks for your comments on this chapter. I especially appreciate your insight on Barr's comment:
"We observe in this story that faithfulness does not always mean obeying those in authority over you… All believers are called to do what’s right in God’s eyes first, regardless of what those over them believe, say or do.” (p. 178)
I very much agree with you that we must be sure of what's right in God's eyes and make sure we're not just following our own desires when we decide to not to obey whatever authority is set over us whether it's in our family, in our workplace, or in our church body. The heart is desperately wicked...
Also, Barrs' discussion on Abigail's honesty about her husband with David was thought-provoking for me:
"There are times for us all when the truth about people, even family members, is more important than loyalty to them. We all have friends who have had to live for many years in marriages that are miserable. We need to ask whether it might be more helpful to speak to them about their "harsh and badly behaved" husbands rather than just watching their sad situation and silently sumpathizing. Burdens that no one will talk about are harder to bear. It is not wise to leave people to suffer in silence."
Good advice, I think.
B.
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