Ephraim was very sad. He had heard some awful news. Two men in his family had been killed in a cattle-rustling incident. Yep! Really! Cattle -rustling. In the Bible! Remember how Israel (Jacob) had purposefully placed his right hand on young Ephraim's head and blessed him? Well, at this point in his life, it sounds like Ephraim felt like a failure. His relatives all gathered around him to comfort him, but he was very upset.
Not long after this a baby boy was born into the family. Ephraim called him, Beriah which basically means that his family is a big mess! Evil, shameful things had happened. Where was the blessing? Then, God gave them a little girl. Perhaps Ephraim died believing that he had failed. But, he didn't realize the lasting impact this little girl would have on the whole nation of Israel.
Maybe when she was a small child she had a different name, but she became known as, Sherah, which means 'our female relative.' Evidently everyone was proud to be related to her. The Bible doesn't say she ever got married, or had kids, but, she built something that lasted hundreds, even thousands of years. Three cities! The foundations of the cities still exist today. Bethhoron the nether, and the upper and Uzzensherah (which means: listen to Sherah).
The only place she is mentioned is in one little verse in I Chronicles 7:24. It says that she built three cities, but here is a mystery. You see, her people lived in Egypt during her lifetime, but the three cities she built are in the land of Canaan. The future home of her people.
Did she build these cities in faith that her descendants, or descendants of her nieces and nephews would move there one day? I'm not sure, but, what I do know, is that a descendant of her brother visited these cities many years later. Perhaps you have heard of this little nephew of hers. We know him by the name of Joshua.
It was this young man who came back to the other Israelites, after visiting the land of promise, and spoke with confidence in His God. "It is a land flowing with milk and honey!" he joyfully reported. But, Joshua, and his buddy Caleb, soon tore their clothes as they heard the crying of the other spies. Everyone else wanted to give up and go home. It was too hard. Too many giants. Too many obstacles. "I wanna go back to Egypt" they cried. But, I'm guessing Egypt wasn't home to Joshua. I can just imagine him thinking, "My aunt built me a city up north of here. We're almost home. Let's go!"
It was an old man, Joshua, who said the famous words, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" As he finally led a new generation into the Land of Promise! A generation raised on manna and miracles.
It was an even older Joshua who finally reached the cities his aunt had built for him and his family. There were many of them now.
Did I happen to mention exactly where those cities were? Have you ever heard of Gibeon, or the valley of Ajalon? Maybe not, but, what about the story of the sun and moon standing still? Sound familiar? Joshua 10 has the whole story. Go back and read it and see if you can find one of Sherah's cities mentioned. (hint: It is Bethoron.)
There the elderly Joshua stood, still strong in body and faith, fighting against the enemies that were blocking his was to what was rightfully his: The cities built by Sherah! They were fighting, winning, but it was getting late.
"Sun! Stand still! Hold it right there, moon!" he requested. And, somehow, they stopped! It was like all of the natural world held it's breath as Joshua and his army fought and got he victory over their enemies.
It is said that there was no day like that before, or after, that the LORD listened to the voice of a man. The LORD fought for Israel. The LORD fought for Joshua.
I wonder if God let Sherah see a glimpse of that day. I wonder if, as she drew the plans and directed her workers...as she searched for the perfect stones to build a firm foundation for her cities...if maybe, just maybe she dreamed of a day the sun and moon would pause as her family finally came home.
The foundation she laid is still there. Her cities stayed!
So, Aunties, fear not! We do not know the names of Joshua's mother, or grandmother. But, we do know the name of a great-great auntie!
One of her cities is named: Uzzen-sherah, which means "listen to Sherah." I'm guessing her relatives did listen to her. I'm guessing her nephew, Joshua, listened and inherited her boldness and faith.
Dear aunties, may your nieces and nephews never forget the foundations you lay for them, nor the great cities you build for them. Thank you for teaching the children in your lives to: reach high; be bold; have faith; and not be afraid, -while their parents are busy just surviving.
We are proud to call you our sister, or aunt, or relative! We need you and we will NEVER FORGET YOU!
