Esther

Day 1

Esther: Her name may derive from "Ishtar," The Babylonian Goddess of Love or from the Persian word for "star". Her Hebrew name, "Hadassah," means "Myrtle"


Her Character: An orphan in a foreign land, she displayed great courage in the midst of a crisis. Prior to risking her life for her people, she humbled herself by fasting, and then put her considerable beauty, social grace, and wisdom in the service of God's plan.

Her Sorrow: To learn that her husband, the king, had unwittingly placed her life and the life of her people in jeopardy.


Her Joy: To watch mourning turn to celebration once the Jews enjoyed relief from their enemies.


Key Scripture: Esther 1-10


Subject to foreign powers after the Exile, God's people must have felt among the weakest elements of society. But weaker even than a Jewish man exiled to a foreign land was a Jewish woman. And weakest of all would have been a young orphan of Jewish descent. God had once again employed one of his favorite methods for accomplishing his purposes: he had raised the weakest of the weak, placing her in a position of immense strategic importance.


But it had been up to Esther to decide whether she would play the part God offered. Like Moses, she chose to identify with God's people even if it meant risking her life to do so. And even though exile was punishment for Israel's long unfaithfulness, God showed that he was still with his people, delivering and protecting them in surprising ways, turning the table on their enemies through a series of stunning reversals. Earthly powers were at work to kill and destroy, but a heavenly power, far greater in scope, was at work to save and preserve.


Day 2


The Festival of Purim

When Haman threw the lot or the pur to discover what day would be the best day to annihilate the Jews in Xerxes' kingdom, he unwitingly established a festival called Purim, when, instead of annihilation, the Jews celebrated their deliverance. Esther and her cousin Mordecai jointly worked to overturn Haman's plot, and when they were successful, sent out a proclamation to all the Jews living in Xerxes' kingdom to "celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration" (Esther 9:21-22)


Adar 14 and 15. Adar was the last month in the Jewish calendar, our February/March. Josephus, the first-century Jewish general and historian, claimed that Jews all over the world celebrated the festival of Purim in his day, and it continues to be a popular festival for Jews today.


Worship and fasting typically make up the first day of the festival. The entire book of Esther is read aloud, and the congregation respons with "Let his name be blotted out" each time Haman's name is read. The children in the group respond to Haman's name with noisemakers and rattles. On the second day of the feast, rejoicing and celebration break out. Food, music, dramas and plays, special songs, and recitals all add to the festive mood. People give gifts to each other and also make sure they don't forget to give gifts of food to the poor, as that was a special wish of Mordecai (Esther 9:22)


Like the Passover, the Feast of Purim celebrates divine deliverance. Saved from Pharaoh's rule and slavery in Egypt and delivered from the destruction planned by Haman, the Jews celebrated a deliverance that only God could have orchestrated. Previously doomed, they were now delivered. As believers, we too have something to celebrate. Instead of a Moses or an Esther, God sent his own Son to deliver us, saving us from the terrible destruction of sin and death. Surely, that's reason enough to celebrate.


Day 3

Read the entire book of Esther, in one sitting if possible.



Esther's royal position was no accident. She was in a position of influence for a very specific purpose. Your position in life is not an accident either. What do you think God might have for you to do right where you are, right now?



Have you ever had to be brave like Esther in order to step out and do the right thing? What were the circumstances? What was the outcome?



How have you been delivered like the Jews in this story? How do you celebrate your deliverance?

Day4

Esther 4:6-16
6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.
9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king."
12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

Esther 5:1-8
Esther's Request to the King
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you."
4 "If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him."
5 "Bring Haman at once," the king said, "so that we may do what Esther asks." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."
7 Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question."

Esther 7:1-4
1 So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, 2 and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted."
3 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king.

Esther 8:1-8
1 That same day King Xerxes gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came into the presence of the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai. And Esther appointed him over Haman's estate.
3 Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. 4 Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.
5 "If it pleases the king," she said, "and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. 6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?"
7 King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. 8 Now write another decree in the king's name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king's signet ring—for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be revoked."

Day 5

Could you imagine how Esther must have felt when she found out that not only her people, but herself were going to be put to death because of Haman. She must have known immediately that her husband could fix the situation. But take a moment to consider how she decides to handle this.

First, she asks her cousin and people to pray and fast for her. Then she goes into a time of prayer and fasting herself.

When conflict arises in your home or family how do you handle it? Esther is a great example to us. Taking her predicament to the only One who could truly prepare the way for her. Esther could have run straight to the king begging for her life and the lives of the Jews. She probably could have made her argument in her defense, yelling about the injustice that was about to occur. And gotten herself killed in the process, doing not a single person any good.

Her patience amazes me. She was slow to react. Relied on her God. Deprived herself of food and water, putting herself in the presence of God first and seeking His guidance.

How many times have you been too quick to react in a situation? I know there have been many times I have stood my ground, argued my defense in a situation and not accomplished a darn thing. I know none of my situations had to do with the destruction of myself or an entire group of people, but at the moment they may have seemed just as important to me. I wonder, if I had been slow to anger, sought my Lord in fasting and prayer, would He have prepared the way for me? Of course He would have.

Maybe next time, I will think of Esther, take a deep breath then take it to God. I have a feeling that my case will be heard if God has already prepared the hearts of the people involved and He will give me the words to say. In the end I will glorify God, not just be “right”.

Rizpah

Day 1

Rizpah:"A hot stone or coal"

Rizpah was Saul's concubine. Mother of Armoni and Mephibosheth. Though a woman with few rights and little power, she displayed great courage and loyalty after the death of her sons. Her only sons were executed and their bodies dishonored because of their father's crime.

Rizpah's Joy: The bodies of her sons were finally given an honorable burial.

2 Samuel 21:1-14
The Gibeonites Avenged
1 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the LORD. The LORD said, "It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death."
2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, "What shall I do for you? How shall I make amends so that you will bless the LORD's inheritance?"

4 The Gibeonites answered him, "We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death."
"What do you want me to do for you?" David asked.

5 They answered the king, "As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and exposed before the LORD at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord 's chosen one."
So the king said, "I will give them to you."

7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah's daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul's daughter Merab, [a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed and exposed them on a hill before the LORD. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning.

10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.

14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

Day 2

Rizpah's story is one of God's pictures that reveals only a tiny glimpse of the power we have to make change around us. Imagine her sorrow. She did not loose only one son but two. A mother torn with grief, lays besides the bodies of her dead boys. Still protecting them from the elements and predators that sought to destroy their remains. It may have been months that passed, as she grieved her lose and hoped for the proper burial of her sons.

Rizpah is a story of perseverance. She was patient, but allowed herself to grieve. King David had to take notice and took action. Her courage and loyalty touched his heart.

Rizpah made the people look at the cost of sin. She had few rights and little power. Rizpah gave meaning to her son's deaths and helped a nation deal with the sins of its leader. Her story is tragic but in her strength she may have spared other mothers in Israel similar grief, if only for a while.

Heavenly Father, Courage is not often a word I associate with being a mother. Today Lord, show me the ways in which I can stand up for my children or children within my reach. Help me learn to not only "mother" them but show them how amazing they are. Give me the strength and courage to protect the children from the predators of this world and give You the glory in their lives. May we be an example to those around us. May the scope of your love not only reach inside our family but to those we can touch around us.

Day 3

2 Samuel 21:10
10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night.

Have you ever undertaken a task that, had you know what was required, would have seemed beyond your ability or strength? What kept you going? What was the result?

2 Samuel 21:11-14
When David was told what Aiah's daughter Rizpah, Saul's concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had taken them secretly from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up.
14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul's father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

When have you had to have some outside circumstance stimulate you to do what was right? What was the outcome? What would have happened had you done nothing?

How is God's love for you like Rizpah's love for her children?

Day 4

Rizpah: consistency, tenacity, faithfulness, courageous, loving

The list of amazing descriptions of this women could go on for a very long while. Because of these beautiful characteristics in Rizpah, King David noticed and did something. You too were given a list of amazing descriptions by your Creator. Can you make a list of just a few. How will you allow God to use these parts of you to start change?

The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. ~2 Samuel 22:25

For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. ~Psalm 37:28

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassion's never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:21-23

Day 5

Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds of the air touch them by day or the wild animals by night. ~2 Samuel 21:10~

Praise God for giving mothers the power to love their children so fiercely.

Give Thanks for the way other women have stood by you in times of difficulty.

Confess any tendency to back off rather than confront important moral issues with love and courage.

Ask God to stretch your love beyond your own family circle so that it becomes a force that shapes the world around you.

Lift your Heart: We cannot save all the motherless children, but we can reach out one at a time. Pray about whether you could become a big sister to a young girl in need. Go out of your way to make a neglected child feel welcome in your home. Speak out against the forces in our culture that devalue human life. Lend your voices to hose that clamor for peace in our world. Do what you can where you can. Let your love be fierce and strong. Don't back off.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the amazing women that have show me protecting, persistent love. I know your own love better because of the way she loved me. Help me to become a spiritual mother to those you bring into my life.

The Wise Women of Abel

Day 1
The Wise Woman of Abel
Her Character : Rather than passively waiting for someone else to save her city, she had the wisdom and courage to act quickly and decisively.
Her Sorrow: That her city, though faithful to the king, was besieged by his army because it had been infiltrated by a rebellious leader.
Her Joy: That she was able to successfully intercede for the town, thus averting disaster for many innocent people.

2 Samuel 20:14 - 22
14 And he went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and Beth Maachah and all the Berites. So they were gathered together and also went after Sheba.15 Then they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maachah; and they cast up a siege mound against the city, and it stood by the rampart. And all the people who were with Joab battered the wall to throw it down. 16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’” 17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, “Are you Joab?” He answered, “I am.” Then she said to him, “Hear the words of your maidservant.” And he answered, “I am listening.” 18 So she spoke, saying, “They used to talk in former times, saying, ‘They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,’ and so they would end disputes. 19 I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?” 20 And Joab answered and said, “Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! 21 That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city.” So the woman said to Joab, “Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.” 22 Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem.

Dear Lord, I only dream of being called the wise woman of my town. Please work in me to be ready to recieve your gift of Wisdom. I used to think that being smart is wise, I know that it takes more than that. A heart of bravery and rightfulness. Self-control and obedience. So Father, I ask today that you work in each of us to give us these qualities in our characters to fight the battle ahead. I ask that you be glorified in our lives, actions and hearts. Praise you for what you have purposed in our lives and for giving us the desire to be the wise person of our town, home, workplace, small group, Moms club, friendship, relationship. Wherever we desire to be more like you, I pray that we make it happen by focusing on you and your great love.

Day 2

In this passage, the wise woman turned to her fellow citizens, urging them to act. In just moments, a mans head came careening over the wall. Disaster was averted. The men in this story appear to behave only in conventional terms: mobilize the army, build a siege ramp, violently smash the city walls, squelch the rebellion. But the woman looked for another solution, one that would keep the peace and spare lives on both sides. Because she acted wisely and well, interceding on behalf of her people, innocent lives on both sides of the city walls were spared.


Okay, Lord, this one was for me. I had to ask myself if I would avert disaster or behave as the men in this story. I don’t always choose to think of everyone else in time of trouble. What a great life it would be to be known as the Wise Woman of anywhere? I don’t think people typically put the word wise with the thought of me. Lord, I ask that I continue to seek your will in my life. I know that you will determine the gifts and when you will give them, but how wonderful it would be if I had wisdom. So Lord, I am guessing that there are many reading this right now that also want to be wise in their actions. Please will you show us what we need to do and help us to hold our tongues when it is not the right time.

Day 3

Read Samuel 20:15 - 22 ( see day 1)

In your own words, describe what you think it migt have been like for a mother with several small children within the city walls of Abel.While it is unlikely that you or your family have ever been in this situation, many households today are held captive by abuse, financial misfortune, grief, or illness - whether physical or mental. Do you know someone in a similar situation? A child? Another Woman? A teen? What can you do to help? Are you in one of these situations? Who can you go to for help?

What do Joab’s words reveal about his reaction to this brave woman (20:17)
Have you ever been in a situation where the wise thing to do also required bravery? Did you do it? Why or why not?

What might have given the town of Abel the reputation described here? What does this tell you about its inhabitants?
Where do you go when you need answers?
What is your reaction to what the town of Abel did with Sheba? Do you think the bargain they struck with Joab was a good one? Why or why not?

The facts of this story are physically brutal and disturbing, but the facts of life for many today in our society are just as brutal. How can you be a wise woman in your corner of the world?

Okay, so this may be far off, but I read this and think of safety and refuge. Where do you go to be safe. Sheba apparently did not make the right decision in his wanting to hide from Joab’s people. To be wise would be to know where and when to take refuge. Many times women who suffer from depression or grief do so because they have taken refuge in their hearts and soul instead of leaning on God and other women who can carry their burden. A while back, I attended a girlfriends night out and the facts were presented about how important it is that we all carry one-another’s burdens and fellowship with other women. I encourage you to look at things a bit differently today. Do you know someone that really needs to see God’s love? Can you be used today? Can the Lord actually use you to reach out to someone who has taken refuge into their heart and souls and need to be released from that very thing today? Are you needing to be released? I encourage you to let someone know if you need prayer and help, to be released from bondage.

Lord, I ask at this very moment, you give us an opportunity to be used by you. Bring to our remembrance someone who needs freedom from their pain. Let us pray for them and somehow let them SEE you through us. In your word, you show us that you have used the least of the least to do mighty things. You have given each of us a purpose. Help us not to be too busy or blinded today with the things and tasks at hand, help us to see those around us who need you today. I know this very thing is a stretch for most women, you made us Lord, so give us a challenge today to be a link to your BODY in our part of the World. Many of us are from different areas, so I pray specifically for the areas of Florida, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Jordan, Iowa, Texas, Nevada, Washington, California, Africa, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Missouri. May we affect your kingdom in a mighty way today.

Day 4

Her legacy of Prayer

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; ~Proverbs 2:3 - 6~

Reflect on 2 Samuel 20:16 - 20
Praise God for his wisdom, which far surpasses anything we might imagine.
Offer thanks that true wisdom has nothing to do with intellectual ability but everything to do with humble dependence on God.
Confess any laziness that keeps you from searching out God’s wisdom for your own life.
Ask God to help you treasure his wisdom so that you are willing to actively seek it out.

How many of you were used by God yesterday? Did you seek out opportunities to be a blessing in someone’s life? Did you hear his soft whisper of nudging to be an encouragement to someone who needed it? I hope many of you slowed down enough to be used. I had several opportunities to hear his whisper, at times I would think “no, that is not it” then remember that I did not want to miss the opportunity. Funny how I fit it all in to my usually chaotic schedule. I believe I was used most during a 10:30 pm phone call. Praise God that I was willing and able to answer that call. If you have a story of yesterdays events, please let us know, it encourages us and it also glorifies God.

Day 5

Lift your heart

Wisdom has nothing to do with how many “gray cells” you possess. You can be smart as a whip but still full of foolishness. Take a few moments to reflect on this passage from the book of Proverbs (3:13-18):
13Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],
14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
15Skillful and godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.
16Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

This Mother’s Day, why don’t you ask for something far more valuable than any earthly thing, ask for wisdom in your life. Here are a few ways you can cultivate this gift from God:
Pray for it, remembering it is a gift from God, your creator.

Read and meditate regularly on Scripture
Surround yourself with wise people - listen and learn from them. (consider meeting regularly with a spiritual director or a mentor-ship program in your church)
Make quick obedience a hallmark in your spiritual life; it leads to wisdom.

Okay, so this crazy thought came to my mind just now (yes another one) and because I can, I will bounce it off you. God is the source of wisdom that brings life, wealth, honor, and peace. He is so powerful, yet seems to be able to manage all existence, it is a true revelation that he knows all that has happened and all that is to come, so why do we worry again? It is not going to help us in any way. We should spend each and every moment praising God that we were in His plan to begin with and rejoice no matter where or what or how or why, because he knows it all and if we are called to be more like Christ, then we must remember that His will is the ultimate one and we will struggle through life until we decide to fully submit ourselves to our God and His plan. Okay, so I know I should have come to this realization earlier and maybe I am not quite expressing it correctly, but take a moment to consider his vastness, every working part of the entire universe is his and he definitely cares about it working properly so that his will can be completed. Man, I have never felt so empowered to go out there and share his love and make sure people know that they might as well give in, there is no other way around it. When we realize that only one person can be in control and it can’t be us, since we know so little compared to our God, I think we might stop sweating the small stuff and start being a body of believers that affect the world for His will. Okay, so that is that. ,

God, I am in awe today of this new revelation and I pray that somehow my words will melt away and whatever it is that you are trying to use me for today will become clear to all who are reading this and that they will read your words. You can heal our body and minds, why not our writing. So thank you for your grace and your love and for creating me. I praise you for trusting me with your creations. I pray right now for a rising up of your Spirit within our souls and I pray for wisdom and time for each of us to meditate on your word. I pray for obedience in our lives so that we may complete your will and our purpose here on earth. I pray that those who are wise will overwhelm us in our lives with their presence and I pray that you will be glorified in all we do. I pray that we treat wisdom like Gold, for it is a gift from you and you are our King. Amen.

Jael

Day 1

Jael
Her name means “A wild or mountain goat”
Her Character: Decisive and courageous, she seized the opportunity to kill an enemy of God’s people.
Her Joy: To be lauded by Deborah and Barak for her part in a decisive victory.
Key Scripture: Judges 4-5

Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. 15 And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left. 17 However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear.” And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket. 19 Then he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him. 20 And he said to her, “Stand at the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’” 21 Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 22 And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man whom you seek.” And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple. 23 So on that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel. 24 And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

Was Jael a hero, opportunist, or merely a treacherous woman? It is difficult to know. Perhaps she believed in Israel’s God. Perhaps she wanted to curry favor with the Israelite’s, since they were the days clear winners. Certainly Deborah and Barak approved of her song.

Judges 5:24
“Most blessed among women is Jael,The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents.
25 He asked for water, she gave milk;She brought out cream in a lordly bowl.
26 She stretched her hand to the tent peg,Her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head, She split and struck through his temple.
27 At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still;At her feet he sank, he fell; Where he sank, there he fell dead.

Day 2

Her Legacy of Prayer
Judges 5:24-27 (see day 1)
Reflect on Judges 5
Praise God for defeating the enemies of our souls.
Offer thanks that we can be instruments of deliverance for others.
Confess any tendency toward passivity in your struggle against sin and Satan.
Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment in the spiritual battle.

Day 3

When Jael gave Sisera mild, she was offerring the best of the house. It was a prized drink made by putting goat’s milk into an old skin bottle and shaking it. What is a skin bottle? Instead of clay bottles which could break, the Nomadic dessert peoples would sew goat or lamb skins together with the hair on the outside and seal them so that water, milk and wine could be held while traveling.
Christ’s decree to not put new wine in old wineskins has, of course, significant meaning for us today. Are our minds and hearts like an old wineskin - brittle and hard? Are they ready to burst when faced with new ideas or ways of doing things? Are our minds and hearts supple and soft, like new skin? Are we open to learning new things about our community of believers and ourselves. Are we open to learning more about our God?

Day 4

Read Judges 4:14 -22 ( see day 1)
How did God accomplish this great victory?

God has proven over and over again that he can do what we think is impossible. What has he accomplished in your life?

What characteristics of Sisera and Jael are worth imitating? Which are worth forgetting?
Lift your Heart.

Day 5
WAR drobe Check
Sometimes we are naïve about the kinds of spiritual struggles that face us as Christians. Ephesians 6 talks about the importance of putting on the full armor of God in order to successfully engage in battle. Take some time for a wardrobe check - make sure you aren’t missing anything vital, without which you will be more vulnerable to attack. Here’s a quick checklist for the well-dressed spiritual warrior:
The Belt of Truth- Have any small dishonesties crept into your life?
The Breastplate of Righteousness - Are you cooperating with the grace to become more Christlike?
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace - The gospel reconciles us to God and others. Are you willing to receive it, live by it, and share it?
The Shield of Faith - Are you responding to life with faith or in a way that shows you really don’t think God is quite as loving or as powerful as he says he is?
The Helmet of Salvation - Salvation is a gift. But like any gift, it has to be received.
The Sword of the Spirit - God’s Word wounds the enemy and thwarts his purposes. Reading and praying through Scripture helps us take the offensive.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Lord, help me to be ready so that any moment I am equipped to stand against the enemy and even deal a decisive blow in the battle. Give me courage, discernment, and wisdom, and help me to stay close to you in the midst of the fray.