Time With God Called Sabbath

What does the word Sabbath mean to you? Does it make you mad? Do you picture a list of restrictive rules? Do you reject it completely without question?

What would you say if I told you that you probably have actually kept the Sabbath at least once in your life without even realizing it?

So, what does Sabbath look like? I really can't tell you what Sabbath should look like for you. You see, Sabbath is not something to be served. Sabbath is a gift, from our Creator, for us! We were not created to serve the Sabbath. The Sabbath was created after humankind was. The Sabbath serves us. It is for our good!

I like to think of it as a date night with God. 

When I go on a date night with my husband we might choose to do, or not do, very different things than you and your spouse. Would it be fair for me to impose my ideas of what a date night 'should' look like on you? Sure there are a few things that everyone would agree would totally NOT work as a date night. And, there are a few things that MUST be included, or it can't be called a date night. For example Both spouses must be present. You can't go on a date night by yourself! It is the same with Sabbath. There ARE a few ways that the Sabbath must be kept, but how that looks can really vary. 

This season we are in is a sabbatical of sorts. It is a time to cease from the usual and slow down, reflect, and meditate. A mental health day! A reprieve. 

The Sabbath is not meant to be a burden. In fact, I think it is fair to say that if keeping the Sabbath feels like a burden to you, then you are probably doing it wrong! 

God wants to be number one in our lives. But, we have to make a living. Somedays we get so busy just surviving that we don't have much time to just sit and listen. It was two weeks into this quarantine when I woke up and realized that my mind had slowed enough that I could think! I didn't realize how busy I had become. We do this every week. We are slaves to our jobs, to the clock, to routines. All the things that demand out attention right now.

When you are getting ready to go on a date night with your spouse what do you do? Do you make sure you have things prepared ahead that the children might need, so they won't have to interrupt you? Do you make sure your work will not interrupt you? Maybe you turn off your cell phone or ask someone else to work for you that evening. 

What about vacation time? Do you plan ahead? Some people fix or buy foods that are easy to prepare so they won't have to spend time cooking from scratch at vacation time. I usually don't think much of cooking on Sabbath. We usually get easily prepared foods for that day, but if I have to heat it up I don't worry about it. Once we went camping and we were really roughing it. We had to build the fire pit, gather wood, get the fire cooking, and then cook a full meal. That was work!!! It was then I realized that the man running all-around gathering sticks on the Sabbath wasn't just picking up a couple twigs on the ground as he hummed a little praise song. 

God wants our full attention. Just for a few hours, he doesn't want us to serve, or be controlled by anything other than Him! What controls us? The clock?  Dishes? Laundry? Work? School? Not today! The Sabbath is a time to not have to constantly look at the clock! We try to put an -ish after times on Sabbath. We don't set the alarm clock on Sabbath. We gather to worship whether it is on Zoom, or in our backyard with family at noon-ish. We set an approximate time to start, but it isn't pushed. There is no ending time at all. Why should there be? There are not very many things that can't wait a few hours. We have all day to quiet down and rest. To turn off everything we possibly can and be still.

Sabbath is a delight. God wants us to look forward to our date with Him. When my girls were little they were only allowed to eat candy on Sabbath. Sabbath is a feast day! But, it isn't like Thanksgiving feasting. Thanksgiving has way too much work to be considered restful! When you go on a date do you have to cook? Even if the celebration is at home, the cooking is usually done before the date and the dishes are done later- maybe even the next day. That is no different than Sabbath. We usually have plenty of healthy snacks and quick, easy foods to grab and eat. If someone is hungry, they eat. If someone is tired, they sleep. We read, snuggle, do puzzles, walk by ourselves or with others, sing, pray, play games, etc. Sometimes we watch movies, shows, sermons, etc. Sometimes we are tired of the noise and need quiet.  But, those are things we do. Your way of celebrating may be entirely different than ours. The goal is to not serve, or be controlled by anything except God. I know that is for all of life, but realistically we do have to go to work, and school and have time restraints. Money is a major stressor for me. I appreciated not having to do anything that deals with money on Sabbath unless it is giving money (as in tithing or giving).

I will never cease to be impressed by how church services can start and end at precise times. How does that work? How can they start exactly at 11 and end exactly at 12? Where is the waiting on God? Where is the lingering in His presence? What if God wants to change things up a bit? Is there room in our schedules for that? Can God call you up on Friday and say, "Hey, can you leave work a little early and get ready, I want to take you somewhere special tomorrow?" What would you say? What would you leave at home? What would you take? What would you turn off? What would you turn on?

So, as you sit at home with your family and you wish you could be busy doing and going, take a minute and ask Him to show you another way. May God use this time to teach us how to rest. I know I need practice. How about you? 

Little Known Bible Stories #5: Caleb's Kids

Hello, friends!
Here we are a whole month into this quarantine and I haven't even written one story for you. Well, today I am finally sitting down to write. The story on my heart today is another one I don't remember ever hearing in Sabbath School class. Did you know Caleb had a daughter?

So often in the stories of the judges or kings, we read that their children, or grandchildren, fell away from God. It is so sad to read about how quickly people lost all that a previous generation had fought so hard to conquer. This is a good news story though!

Caleb's dad had a cool name: Jephunneh (Jeff Funny). I don't know if he had a sense of humor, but he sure had a positive view on life! Remember the story in Numbers 13 about the twelve spies going into the promised land? Remember, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who believed God was big enough to help them slay the giants in their way? Remember all the other people were crying and shaking and beaten before they even started? Well, in case you don't remember, the children of Israel had experienced a miraculous delivery from oppressive slavery in Egypt. God opened the Red Sea for them when there was no other way to escape the Egyptian army. God fed them with bread from heaven when they feared starvation in the wilderness. But, when they got to the land God had promised them they began to cry to go back to Egypt. Why? There were scary giants in the land. There were huge walls preventing them from entering. It was at this time we meet a man from Joshua's generation. A man named, Caleb. I didn't see him mentioned before this. He wasn't an elder. He didn't get his name in the Book for helping organize the trip out of Egypt. But, here he is. Suddenly. He stands up and says something like: "Quit freaking out everyone! Are you kidding me!? Let's go! God's got this!" He was full of the optimism of youth, even though he was way past 20. Sadly he had to endure 40 years of wandering in the wilderness because his comrades wouldn't back him up.
Did Caleb dream of the beautiful land he had explored? Did he tell his children about the huge cluster of grapes the spies had found? Did his kids ask what grapes were? I don't know, but, I do know that he didn't lose his optimism. He married a beautiful lady who, no doubt, shared his dream. He kept healthy and strong by walking every day! ;) He never lost hope that, someday, would enter into his inheritance.

Finally, the day arrived. He was in his 80's. He had been fighting for several months with men a lot younger than him. Never did he complain. Joshua is mentioned several times, but not Caleb. Not a word of him all of Deuteronomy and half of Joshua. Much younger men had already built houses for their families. Finally, in Joshua 14, Caleb comes to visit his old buddy. Joshua and Caleb talked about the old days. They talked about Moses. They talked about those many years ago when they had first walked this land. Then, Caleb looked at the mountain in front of them. Mount Kirjatharba. He knew that mountain well. He had walked all over it for 40 days when he was a spy. He had revisited it, no doubt, many times in his dreams. Perhaps he still had a map he had drawn all those years ago. "Moses, the man of God... promised me this mountain!" he said. Moses had said he could settle that area. He was finally home. It was time for Caleb to take what was promised him.

 Joshua blessed his buddy and sent him on his way. Caleb had waited his whole life for this moment. He led his tribe into conquering the mountain. He renamed it, Hebron. He was as strong and determined as ever. His faith and hope were unrivaled. The Bible says that Caleb followed God with his whole heart (Josh. 14:14). That can't be said of very many people, then, or now. He killed giants! He scaled the mountain! Then he got to Kirjathsepher. He now knew the great feeling of conquering and providing a place for his family. He looked at his daughter Achsah. He knew she was also ready to settle down. She had been traveling her whole life. It was time for her to marry and start a family of her own. It seems she was his favorite child. However, he says something that makes our modern ears cringe: "Whoever takes the city of Kirthjathsepher gets to marry my daughter Achsah!" Yikes! Poor girl! But, wait. Othniel steps up and does the job and gets the girl!

 Who was Othniel? Don't worry. He was the best! Caleb knew this man very well. He was his nephew. Caleb probably had a twinkle in his eye as he made the announcement. Othniel didn't give anyone else a chance to take his girl. Maybe Achsah was Caleb's youngest and the last one to marry. Othniel and Achsah's wedding was no doubt exhilarating!  I imagine Caleb spared no expense. The happy couple began their new life together.

I guess the love birds walked their land hand in hand, picturing their future children running and playing, imagining large flocks of sheep grazing on the hillside... "You know what we need?" Achsah asked Othniel. "Water!" "Yes!" Othniel agreed as he began scanning the area for a good place to dig a well. "Look over there," she said. "A little spring right next to our land! Let's ask Daddy for it!" Othniel had already received so much from the oldest man in Israel! How could he ask for more? "Please?!" she asked sweetly. "It is such a nice little spring. You should ask. I know he'll let us have it." Othniel didn't say much. In fact, it sounds like he never went to visit Caleb. When his ass arrived at Caleb's tent it was Achsah who jumped off.

"What do you want?" Caleb asked her, ready to give her the world.
She politely and gratefully asked for his blessing. She thanked him for the land and asked for the nearby spring.

Not only did Caleb give her the spring she requested, but another spring on the other side. I like to imagine he remembered drinking from that spring as a spy and knew that there was another one near there too. She thanked him and hurried home to her groom.
Othniel saw his beautiful bride riding up and heard her voice before she even got close enough for him to understand her words.

"Daddy said there are two springs we can have. One is over here, and the other is that way!" she pointed them out. The two love birds worked hard on their land. They loved each other very much. But, they also loved God with all their hearts. How do I know? It doesn't say this in Joshua. At first, I just imagined it would be so. Even though I have read many stories of the children of great men turning from the Living God, I really hoped this couple would be different. I was kind of relieved when their names didn't come up again. Maybe no news is good news. I left them on the hill nestled between 2 springs, just past Papa Caleb's tent. Happy and full and blessed.
Judges chapter 1 repeated the story and, thankfully, no sad news was added. Judges chapter 2 described this generation as staying true to God. But, as expected the next generation began fiddling around with idolatry. They fell in love with sin. Marrying wickedness. So sad. Caleb's grandchildren, or maybe great-grands? I sighed. I wondered if Othniel and Achsah had also forgotten their first love.

And, so, as I continued reading Judges, the vicious cycle began... The people strayed. God took away his protection and allowed their enemies to oppress them. Then a few years, or decades later, the people would remember God and think, "Hey. Maybe God can help us!" So, God would feel sorry for them and send them a judge, or prophet, or king. They would get deliverance and live in peace until they again forgot God!

I turned the page ready for some familiar names to appear and some I had forgotten. Do you know the name of the first judge mentioned? Othniel?
Our Othniel?! Yes! Othniel became the elder! The first Judge of Israel to be mentioned in the Scriptures.

When the children of Israel strayed and God gave them into the hand of their enemies, Othniel and Achsah stayed on their hill, between their two springs and waited. When the people had enough, I imagine someone visited the family on the hill. Achsah and Othniel opened their door and listened and talked. Othniel was older, a lot older, but he was still strong. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. He rose up. He led them in gaining victory over their enemy. For forty years the people listened to Othniel. For forty years they stayed true to God. For forty years they had peace.
I must end there because I promised this would be good news. And, it IS good news! Caleb stayed strong for God his whole life. He lived for God when the rest of his generation was full of fear and disbelief. Caleb led the next generation into the promised land. He must have been so proud of the strong, obedient young men and women who sought after the Lord with their whole hearts. Not only that but, his kids lived through the time of victory and prosperity. They say good times are the hardest times to stay strong for God. The cares of this life and temptations around them didn't distract Caleb's kids. They stayed true when many of their peers lost their way. Then, when hard times came, their faith still did not waver. All the way to the end of the life of Othniel, the son-in-law of Caleb, the wife of Achsah, he was strong.

Did you think this story would be about a woman? Well, it is. So many of Othniel's peers married women from the people around them, who did not worship God. They married for many reasons, but Othniel married the daughter of the man whose heart was stayed on God. He married a girl who loved her Daddy and loved her God and loved her man and wanted all they could possibly give her. She inspired Othniel to do more, be more and love more. I say this with confidence because I can see her fruit. An old man who stayed strong more than likely had an old woman next to him reminding him of who he is: the blessed of the Lord.

Holy Waters, Healing...Leaves?

Guys! I just have to share something new I discovered when reading Ezekiel 47.  I was listening to a song about us being like trees that are growing next to living waters. -not a new concept. Then, I opened my Bible and began to read Ezekiel 47. I love this vision as well as the parallel prophecy in Revelation 22!

   Ezekiel has been seeing a very detailed vision of the temple of God. An angel is giving him a very thorough tour. They are measuring the walls and the doors. Chapters go by. I'm not exactly sure why all of this detail is important, but I do believe that every word is there for a reason. Chapter 47 is so amazing and picturesque! The angel takes Ezekiel back to the door of the temple. Water is flowing out from underneath the temple. It seems to be coming from the altar. Ezekiel wets his feet in the water. They walk downstream exactly 1,000 cubits (everything is exact in this vision). Again Ezekiel walked across the stream. The water covered his ankles. They measured exactly 1,000 cubits farther and the water came to his knees. They continued until the water was a wide river that was DEEP and WIDE! He swam a bit, but couldn't cross.

Then, the angel brought him back to the bank. He had something else to show Ezekiel, TREES!!! Many trees were green and growing and bearing all kinds of fruit! They grew on both sides of the river.

He looked downstream and noticed that the river had reached the Dead Sea. But, it wasn't called the Dead Sea anymore. The waters had healed the Sea. Now fish were swimming in the area that was once dead! Wherever the waters came they brought life! To the dead, barren places new life was springing. All kinds of fish swam in the waters. Fishermen lined the banks.

  Then, Ezekiel looked back at those trees, so green and fruitful. I smiled as I remembered Revelation 22's description of the tree of life. The leaves are for the healing of the nations, for medicine. We use leaves for healing and helping us feel better when we are sick. I am so looking forward to rubbing those Tree of Life leaves on all those bumps and bruises I have from living in this broken world.

  Now, I really don't want to confuse anyone by what I am going to say next. You see the Bible is so awesome! I remember my Grandma telling me that Bible prophecies are often fulfilled more than once. First, it was for the people at that time. But, many of them also pointed to when Christ would come to earth; our lives now; and, of course, eternity!

 Personally, I love poetic language and mysterious visions in scripture. It doesn't bother me if I don't understand it all. Someday I will see Jesus and will have all of eternity for Him to explain it to me. So, for now, I sit and read and ponder and let the word wash over me.
  But, this time, it didn't just wash over me. I took a big gulp! Another strange verse with beautiful words popped into my head. John 7:30 says that "living waters" will flow out of our bellies! The Bible also teaches that we are supposed to "bear fruit". What does Psalm 1:3 talk about? Suddenly my mind was getting filled with verse after verse. WE should bear fruit! OUR bodies are the temple! WE should bring forth living waters. OUR prayers are like incense. WE bring the SACRIFICE of praise.
 Maybe this passage meant something very literal in Ezekiel's day. Most likely, this passage is speaking of eternity, when all will be healed. But, today this passage opened my eyes to a new concept.
 You see, I have always known we are to bear fruit, but I never thought about the leaves. I always looked forward to that living water flowing, but I forgot that we are HIS vessels and that deep and wide river flows out of US to the world around us.
  Out of us (the temple of the Holy Ghost- I Corinthians 6:19) flows this living water (the Holy Spirit- John 7:30). Wherever the water flows, it brings life. It brings life to the desert, the wilderness, the barren lands.
  We are like trees! Our roots go down deep into that living water and we bear many kinds of fruit (Galatians 5:22) and many leaves. We should bring life to the area where God has planted us. We are to bring healing to the broken, hurting people near us.
   Suddenly this passage isn't just about something for me to one day receive. It is a lifestyle for me to live, right now. I'm not sure what this looks like practically, but my desire is to be like Jesus and grow fruitful in Him wherever He plants me.
As springtime comes, may God bless you with a fruitful year, spiritually as well as physically!

Little Known Bible Stories #4: That Weird Family

   The following story is very short but is probably the first "little known" story that I found and fell in love with. It changed my perspective on how God views our family traditions. For some reason, I thought traditions were not important. I also thought that there is one set of rules for everyone to follow. For example, I presumed that if my parents said it is wrong to go to the theatre, then it must be wrong for everyone. Of course, I was just a child when I made these presumptions. As a teenager, I went through the natural stage of questioning everything. The Bible has always been my standard, so that was my source for sorting it all out. When I came to this little story I realized that different families have different beliefs about what is okay to do, and what isn't. That doesn't necessarily make some families better than others. And, if we do things the way Grandpa taught us, it might not mean we are stuck in a rut and backward. This story takes place in Jeremiah 35.
 
   Jeremiah came from a family of priests. He knew God's laws. He knew the prophecies of old. He knew there were a whole lot of things that the people of God were doing wrong! God had been speaking to Jeremiah for some time. He had given him messages to tell the people of Israel. God was very upset. His people were hard-hearted and rebellious. Judgment day was coming!

   One day God gave Jeremiah an assignment that didn't seem as depressing and embarrassing as some of his assignments had been. He was to find a certain family and invite them over. There was a little room off the temple just for these kinds of meetings. The room was comfortable and it was even well stocked with wine. They could have a few drinks and Jeremiah could get to know them a little and maybe figure out why God wanted him to meet them. They were known as the Rechabites! Jeremiah didn't seem to recognize the family name. They weren't a very well known family. But, he asked around and found a few of them right there in Jerusalem!

  Jeremiah escorted them into the room he had prepared. God had told him to offer them jugs of wine, so he gladly did. He was being very hospitable. He sat down and waited.
There was an awkward silence. Would it be rude to take a drink before his guests? Oh, maybe they were waiting for him. He took a sip. Still, they sat there. Not one of them touched their cup. What was going on? Finally one of them spoke up. He explained that their family doesn't drink wine. The patriarch of their family had taught them never to drink wine, or plant vineyards, or build houses. They were nomads.

  We have always obeyed our father. They explained. Except, we are in Jerusalem right now because of the war. But, we will go back to our tents as soon as it is safe to do so.

 "Did ya' hear that?!" God asked Jeremiah.
  "The Rechabites obey their father. They do everything he commanded them to do!"
  "Why can't my people obey me like that? Why is it that they do the opposite of what I tell them to do?"

I presume Jeremiah was pretty impressed. He probably felt honored to have met the Rechabites. He sent them away sober and with a blessing. God promised that their family would always have at least one man who was God's kid, forever!
  Somewhere out there, is a Rechabite who loves God with all his heart. Maybe he lives in a house now, or maybe not. Maybe that person is you, or me. Or, maybe we can just learn from this story. Maybe when we look at people who say something is "wrong" because that is what they were taught. Instead of trying to convince them that it is really okay to drink and live in houses, maybe we can encourage them and say, "Good for you for honoring your heritage! I respect your beliefs. May God bless your family!" And then we should look up at our heavenly Father and ask Him if we are listening to Him as well as our friend is listening to their earthly father's rules.

  Oh, I wanna be a part of the family! -the family of God.
How about you?

Little Known Bible Stories #3: Don't Mess With God's Girl

Don't Mess With Tamar

   Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. King David was one of her descendants. This, of course, means that she was also an ancestor of Jesus Christ! I guess Judah probably thought it was just a coincidence that he chose her as a wife for his firstborn son, but it appears that God is really the one who chose her. Not only that, but God seems to have been really protective of how those boys treated sweet Tamar.

   I picture her as kind of quiet and easy-going. It seems like she just went along with things the way they were, for the most part. I'm sure you know girls like this. A girl who is really kind and patient and puts up with all kinds of things. Then, all of a sudden she does something. Maybe it is kind of extreme. Maybe it seems out of character. But, as a friend of hers, you can't help but smile and say, "Good for her! It's about time!"

   This story takes place in Genesis 38.

   Judah had three sons: Er, Onan, and little Shelah. Er was of marrying age, so, as the custom was, Judah picked out a pretty girl from the area. Her family agreed to the marriage, and Tamar joined Judah's family.

   However, as I said, God had His eye on this girl. These tough shepherd nomads were no match for the King of Heaven! It wasn't long and Er did something God didn't like. What was it? Had he mistreated Tamar? God called him "wicked" and it wasn't until after he got married, so it sure sounds like he wasn't kind to her.

   Poof!

 He was gone! 

Out of the picture! 

Dead.

   According to the culture of that day, Tamar was Judah's responsibility. The custom was, that if a married man died without children, his younger brother (or another relative) was supposed to give her a child. It kind of sounds weird to us today, but it was very much like what surrogate moms and sperm donors do today.  So, after the days of mourning for Er were over, sweet, easy-going Tamar married Judah's second son, Onan.

  The deal was that they would have a child together, who would inherit Er's portion of the flock of goats, or family fortune. This child would care for Tamar in her old age.

  Well, Onan went in unto her all right, but he "spilled his seed". Oops! The petri dish dropped. Oh well. Sorry, Tamar. No baby. No inheritance. Onan did his duty, she didn't get pregnant, now he could go on his way.

  Nope! God sees even in secret! He knew Onan's heart. Tamar was too gentle to say anything. God was fed up with Onan too! No one treats His girl like that and gets away with it! Making babies is a serious business. Each person has a place in God's plan. Tamar was supposed to have children. God planned for her line to lead to His Son. A line of Fathers who would teach their children to love God with all their hearts! A line of Mothers who would teach their daughters to love God first! Godly women who would lead to Mary the mother of Jesus.

   Onan wanted the inheritance to himself. He took advantage of Tamar but didn't provide for her. 

Too bad. 

He lost it all! 

Now, he gets nothing! 

Poof! Dead! 

Thanks, God! (Onan was kind of a creep.)        

 Judah seemed pretty oblivious to what is really going on.
     "Ummm, okay, sorry about that Tamar. Don't worry. I will take care of you. You can stay here, as a widow until the kid, Shelah is grown. He will give you a son."
  So, Judah gave her a nice comfy tent, and probably a goat, or two and a maid and a couple of chickens and ... conveniently 'forgot' about her.

  A few years went by and Shelah is a fine, strapping young man looking for a bride. Tamar sees this. She knows she has a right to have a child by Shelah before he starts his own family. Again, weird, I know, but it is how they took care of their own. An old woman without kids to care for her would have a very rough life in those days. Tamar isn't old yet, but she knows that once Shelah gets married, it's just a matter of time and she will be begging for bread. Judah had promised he would care for her. But, Tamar would probably outlive Judah. Who would want to marry a middle-aged woman whose first two husbands had died?

  Good old Judah hadn't really forgotten. He was just scared. Er and Onan had both died shortly after marrying Tamar. Judah needed security for his old age. If Shelah died, his line would end! There would have been one less tribe in Israel. No King David. No Mary. No Jews!!!! History would have looked so different! Of course, he didn't know all that. He didn't even know what terrible husbands his sons were. So, he began making preparations for his youngest son's wedding.

   Well, needless to say, Tamar was feeling pretty desperate. There weren't sperm banks back then, but the law did allow for the woman's father-in-law to donate in extreme cases. So, here she was. A last-ditch effort to have the child that she must have known God promised her.
  She knew Judah was shearing sheep in a specific area. Tamar also knew those guys didn't have a whole lot of self-control on those long, lonely treks in the wilderness. So, she kind of disguised herself and sat down near a desolate intersection and waited. Sure enough, here came Judah, full and happy from shearing sheep.
  Never being the kind to really think things through, he followed his heart. He stopped and asked this mysterious lady if she would give him a good time. She would be paid. He would send her a little kid from his flock.

  "What will you give me as collateral?" she wisely asked.
  "Oh, yeah. Whatever you choose."
  "Okay. Give me your signet, bracelet, and staff."
  Now, Judah may not have been the most civilized, but he was a man of his word. He presumed to get all those things back the next day. He planned to send her the best kid of the flock. He wasn't a bit worried as he agreed to her demands.
   They had a one-night stand. He treated her kindly. She conceived. Everything worked beautifully for our hero. She went back home and changed back into her clothes. Shelah could marry whomever he wanted to. But, there was one problem. Prostitution was illegal!

   Judah and his mysterious prostitute could legally be stoned to death. But, as usual, Judah was unconcerned. Most people just kind of laughed it off in those days. -kept it all hush-hush. What you don't know, won't hurt ya. Judah sent his servants to pay the prostitute. They went to the area and asked around, but no one knew of any prostitute around those parts. Judah really needed his stuff, but he was also pretty embarrassed. He told his servants just to forget about it.

    Then, a few months later an announcement was made. Widow Tamar was pregnant! She played the harlot! Judah, being the head of the clan, was presented with the information.

"Who? Tamar? Oh, um, yes. Prostitution is against the law. She should be killed." Judah was probably a bit relieved to be rid of her finally.

Wise, quiet Tamar was ready for this moment.
When the servants came to escort her to be stoned she had one request.
"Show these items to Mister Judah. Tell him these belong to the father of my child."
Tamar knew Judah well enough to know he would do the honorable thing.
The servants presented Judah with his staff, his signet, and his bracelet! "These belong to..."
"I know." Judah interrupted and broke down.

"Set Tamar free! She is righteous! This is all my fault. I didn't have Shelah marry her like I was supposed to. She really didn't have a choice. She did right. I did wrong. Those belong to me."
Of course, the servants knew that. No one was really mad at Judah because the law did allow him to go in unto his daughter-in-law in such instances. All other times it was considered incest, but, as I said, there weren't sperm banks and everyone seemed to need to have kids in order to survive old age.

 Judah only went in unto her that once, but God blessed Tamar. She had been married twice. She bare two sons! Perhaps one inherited Er's portion and one inherited Onan's. Tamar was no longer alone!

   Her boys were definitely part of the family! At the time of their birth, little Zarah stuck his hand out of the birth canal. The midwife tied a string around his wrist and then, he pulled his hand back in. Tamar push again and out came a little head and soon a screaming little, red-faced baby slipped out
... minus a string around his wrist.
Did it come off?

  Nope.
Out popped little Pharez, sporting the string, already glaring at his wee brother!

It would be generations before a "Man after God's own heart" would be born into this wild family. His name was David. He became Israel's most beloved King. He had a daughter. Do you know what he named his little princess? Tamar! After the woman who became the matriarch of the tribe of Judah.

  It was again many generations before a baby boy was born who did not come out fighting or mad at the world. This child was called the Prince of Peace!

  All of this was realized because a dear young lady was patient and let God fight her battles when she could do nothing to defend herself.  But, who also, stood up for justice when she knew she was being treated unfairly.
  So, if you have been made to feel like you should meekly accept abuse:
             - may God, in one way, or another, destroy your Er's and Onan's
              - may you have the courage to confront your Judah's
             - may you be blessed with a double blessing for all the trials this broken world has dealt you!

Don't be afraid to reach out! There are laws in place to protect you!

God bless!




 
   

Little Known Bible Stories #2

How Hospitality Helped Save the Farm

   This story is told more often than the last one, but I think it is uncommon enough to add to this series. It is told in II Kings 4 and 8. 

   During the days when the great prophet Elisha was roaming Israel there lived a wise and generous woman in a place called Shunem. We don't even know her name. We do know that she was well off and had a lot of respect in her community. 

  I'm sure most of us have someone in our lives who have her personality. You know the kind who will chastise you if you happen to drive through her town and you don't stop by for a bite to eat? "It was 2 AM!" you try to explain. But, that is no excuse. You really should have stopped. She would have fixed you a full meal too! 

  And, so it was with this dear woman. When Elisha came to Shunem she greeted him and invited him over for a bite to eat. 

   After he left she got talking to her husband. Now her husband was quite a bit older than her, but he sure loved that little lady and respected what she had to say. 

"I've been thinking about Elisha." she may have said.

"Who?"

"Oh, you know, the man who ate lunch here the other day."

"Oh, yeah. He had a servant too, what was his name?"

"Gehazi"

"Oh, yeah. Nice men."

"Yeah. I kind of got the feeling that Elisha is a really great prophet. A man of God!"

"You are probably right, honey. You do have a good perception about things like this."

"You know what we should do?"

"What?"

"Build a little room for him, so when he comes through Shunem he can have a place to rest and meditate."

"Sounds good to me!"

"I'll tell the servants tomorrow, unless you need their help on another project."

"Nope. If you need them, they are all yours! Building a room for the prophet of God is more important than any other work that needs done around here!"

  It didn't take long for the room to be finished. She made sure it was perfect! The Bible makes sure to include how she put a bed and a little table and stool and lamp in his room. She thought of everything he might possibly need to help him be comfortable.

  It wasn't long until Elisha showed back up in Shunem. This dear lady noticed him right away and was quick to invite him in. She had a servant wash his feet and another bring him food and drink. Then, she showed him his room. 

  Elisha didn't know what to say. He lay down on the bed for a siesta and looked up at the ceiling. This was so nice and refreshing. He was used to sleeping along a creek somewhere, or under a tree, when he was traveling. Some towns he went through were not too happy to see him coming. They weren't too keen on his "Hell, Fire and Brimstone" sermons! But, this couple really appreciated him.

  "Hey, Gehazi! Are you asleep?"

  "No, sir. What can I do for you?" the servant was quick to respond.

  "Go get that Shunamite lady!"

  "Yes sir!"

   Soon Gehazi was back with the woman right outside the door.

   "Ask her if there is anything she needs, or how I can repay her for all she has done."

Back then men of God didn't often have many material goods, or money. Elisha suggested maybe he could talk to the King on her behalf about something, or ask another government official to help ease her burden somehow.

  "No thank you, sir." she answered. "We have everything we need. We live on the land that we inherited and have a lot of family around. I really have no complaints. It was my honor to build you this little room. Blessings to you."

  Off she went to check on something, but Elisha continued to stare at Gehazi. The servant stood in the doorway waiting to see what his master would say.

  There has to be something I can do for her. 

  Gehazi waited politely until his master invited him to share his thoughts.

  "Well, she doesn't have any kids, sir. Her husband is really old, so maybe they can't have kids."

  "Hmmm. Go get her!"

   It wasn't long and they were back again.

  "Tell her she's going to be snuggling a little baby this time next year." Elisha

 told Gehazi.

  The dear lady stood in the doorway. "No, sir! Please. Don't lie to me!" she  cried, as if he touched something that was dear to her heart. Had she longed for a baby, but given up hope? Had she had babies die in her womb? Had she buried a child? Had she been disappointed month after month until she came to accept her lot in life? Perhaps all of the above. 

   True to the prophet's words she soon found out she was with child, and, when the season foretold came around she was holding her very own baby son! 

   The years went on and this little family remained as hospitable as ever. Perhaps the little guy became like a grandson to prophet Elisha. I can imagine him running into the house excitedly announcing: "Mom! The prophet is here! He is in town today!" 

  Often, if there was a special Sabbath meeting, or Holy Day, the little family would visit the prophet's house. So many happy memories! 

  One hot summer morning, when the little boy was practically grown, he ran out to the field to hang out with his Dad. He played and worked in the hot sun for several hours. Suddenly he stopped and put his head between his hands.

"Father! My head! My head!" he cried as he collapsed to the ground.

The concerned father ordered a servant to carry him to his mother.

Mom will know what to do. She always knew what to do! The old man was confident that she would know just how to make their little son feel better!

   I don't know what all she did, but, I'm sure she tried everything she could think of. She was holding him, inside their cool house, when he suddenly stopped. He stopped looking at her. He stopped moaning. He seemed to have even stopped breathing. She wasn't even sure if she could feel a heartbeat anymore. 

  She didn't say a word.

 She didn't cry. 

She didn't scream. 

She wasn't that kind of woman. 

  She picked up her dead little boy and carried him up to the prophet's room. She laid him on the holy man of God's bed. Then, she shut the door.

   It wasn't long when she appeared in the field. Her husband stopped and wiped his brow.

   "How's the boy?" he asked, concerned.

   "He's going to be fine." she answered with calm determination. "Can I have one of the servants take me to the prophet's?"

   "Sure. But, why are you going to Elisha's today? It isn't the New Moon, or Sabbath, or anything?"

  "It'll be okay!" she assured him.

  The old man shrugged. He didn't even try to understand womenfolk anymore He told one of the young men to saddle an ass for the lady and escort her to Elisha's and went back to his work, confident his wife must have a good reason to go and that all would be well.

"Ride as fast as you can." she instructed the servant as he saddled her ass for her. "Don't slow down for me unless I ask you to."

It took an hour, or two, to get to Mount Carmel, where the prophet lived. 

Elisha looked down the road and recognized the woman right away.

"Gehazi! Why is that dear lady here?" Elisha asked his servant.

"I'm not sure master, I will ask."

Gehazi ran to meet her. 

"Is everything okay?" Gehazi asked her.

"Fine!" she answered as she got off her ride.

"How's your husband?" Gehazi tried again.

"Fine!" she responded as she began walking briskly towards the door.

"How's that little guy of yours?" he asked.

"Fine!" she said as only a woman can when everything is definitely NOT fine!!

The lady ran into the room where Elisha stood and collapsed at his feet.

Gehazi stepped forward to escort her away from his master. This wasn't the protocall. No one just runs up to the prophet! 

"It's okay. Leave her be!" Elisha told him. "Something is wrong and God hasn't told me about it."

Then she broke down.

"Oh sir! Did I ask for a son? Didn't I tell you not to trick me?" she cried.

Elisha knew right away that something tragic had happened to the little fellow. 

"Hurry Gehazi!" he ordered, "Take my staff and lay it across the child!"

 Gehazi obeyed at once. He too was, no doubt, fond of the boy. 

Elisha and the distraught Mother were not far behind. 

Gehazi got there first and ran into the familiar little room. There was the child's body, looking so still and quiet and small. He laid the staff on him, hoping for a miracle. So many miracles had been performed with that staff!

 There was no response.

Was he dead, or only in a coma?

He called him, but there was no answer.

Elisha soon entered the room.

"He won't wake up." Gehazi reported.

The boy's mother stayed downstairs. Did she pray? Did she busy herself preparing dinner confident that all would be well? Or, did she sit in a chair and stare into space, in shock of what had happened, too numb to know how to react? I could imagine any of those responses from her, but what is important is what was happening in the little room upstairs.

The prophet sent even his right-hand man Gehazi out of the room. It was just him and the boy. Oh how he longed to hear his cheerful little voice again. He cried out in prayer to his God. He rubbed his little body, hoping to bring warmth back into him. He blew into his mouth trying to get him to take just one breath. He didn't stop. He didn't give up. He prayed and continued to work on the little body. Was it feeling warmer? Did he hear a heartbeat that time? Was that the boy's breath, or just his own that he had breathed into him coming back out? Once more he cried out to God. -not for himself, but for the dear little mother who was downstairs. The one who never asked for anything for herself. The one who had just lost the only thing she had ever wanted, but never even hoped for. 

 Elisha went downstairs and paced back and forth. No one spoke. It had never been so quiet in that house. He couldn't bear to look at the Shunammite woman. Gehazi looked at him with a silent question, but Elisha didn't answer him. He wouldn't answer. Not yet.

Back upstairs he went. He worked some more on the little body. Suddenly the boy sneezed! Seven sneezes! They were too quiet to be heard out of that room, but, to Elisha, it was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard! And then, those dear little eyes fluttered open! 

Elisha went to the door. His faithful servant was right there. 

"Gehazi! Go get the Shunamite woman! Tell her to come here!"

Up the stairs she came. Was this it? Was it time to accept the fact that her son was dead? How could her heart continue to beat if his wasn't? But, she went. "All will be well!" she told herself. She took a deep breath and tapped on the door.

"I'm here, sir."

"Go pick your son up!" he softly commanded.

Then she saw him. Still. Quiet. But, very much alive. He looked at her and smiled a weak smile and ...he breathed! He breathed a big breath of oxygen in that little upper room. 

For the second time that day she fell at the prophet's feet. This time she was speechless. He understood.

She stumbled to the Holy man's bed and gently picked up her precious little boy. She held him close. She couldn't see anyone else. She couldn't see the prophet standing in the room. She didn't acknowledge his servant holding the door open for her. She didn't see her husband coming into the house from the field confused about why the prophet's ass was by the gate. All she saw was her son's beautiful brown eyes. All she could hear was his breathing. 1-2-3... each breath a little stronger, a little deeper. And, that little heart beat! So steady, so strong. She sat in her chair and held him close. She sat while the prophet and his servant went outside with her husband and told him all that had happened. She didn't even offer her guests food! 

It was okay. Elisha couldn't eat right then anyway. 

"Let's go!" he told Gehazi and they left for home.

The father went inside and looked at that amazing and beautiful woman in the chair holding their son and tears formed in his eyes. They ran down his cheeks and down his beard. 

"Do you know how much I love you?" he asked as he walked towards the chair.

"He is so loved," she whispered, presuming he was referring to the little child who was their world.

"Yes, he is loved. Oh so loved. But I was talking about you, my love." 

She felt strong arms pick them both up and he just held them. 

She cried. For the first time that day, she cried. Her body shook and he just held her. He cried too. They were happy tears. The little boy smiled at his parents. 

"It's okay." he said, "Everything will be fine!"

His mother smiled and looked at her husband. He smiled too!

"Yes! Didn't I tell you?" she reminded him, and herself. "Everything is just fine!"

He shook his head and, for the first time he thought, maybe, he was finally starting to understand women, or, at least this one!

A few chapters later Elisha visited this woman again and told her that there was going to be a famine. So, she packed up her family and they moved to the coast for a few years.
  Seven years later, the family moved back home. But, guess what? Someone else was living in their house! She took her son's hand and went directly to the King.
 It just so happened that someone else was visiting with the king that day. A man named Gehazi. The king had asked him to come and tell him all the Great things God had done through Elisha. He had just finished telling about a time when Elisha raise a boy to life when who should walk in but the Shunamite lady!
 The king looked up to see who was interrupting his story hour and didn't recognize her. Gehazi did though.
"Oh, King! This is the lady and her son whom Elisha raised to life!" Gehazi announced excitedly.
The King was impressed and honored to meet them.
 She immediately had an audience with the King. He didn't need to be asked twice. He assigned an officer from his court to make sure she had everything she needed and complete restitution of all that was hers. Not only did she get her home back, but a full pantry too! Her family's needs were met.
How might her story have changed if it wasn't for her kindness and hospitality?

Little known Bible Stories #1: Great Aunt Sherah

   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!