March 18- I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

March 18, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22;
Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17

I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an' pretend

'cause I've heard it all before

And I've been down there on the floor

No one's ever gonna keep me down again.

         ~Helen Reddy

Numbers 26:52-28:15

Back in the day when I was growing up the women's rights movement in America was going strong.  I Am Woman was on the radio constantly.  I remember my mother cooking dinner and humming this tune.  She would sing it loudly and proudly when it came on the radio in the car.  Young women today don't really get what ladies went through to gain fair treatment in higher education, the work force, and in government.  The girls of America in the year 2011 will benefit from what these women in the past accomplished.  Many people feel that religion is what has kept women "down" for all of these years. Today's reading in the Old Testament refutes that notion. A close examination of the Bible shows that Judeo-Christian beliefs have always been revolutionary in treating women with respect and giving them rights.  History shows that pagan nations have treated women much less fairly than cultures based around Judeo-Christian beliefs.

Our story begins when the five daughters of a man named Zelophehad present a petition to the whole community, including Moses and Eleazar the High Priest.  These ladies are requesting to inherit their father's land since he has died.  The man had no sons.  Property would normally go to the sons in the family. Women were considered chattel or property. They had no individual rights to own land.  This was common throughout this region and in the ancient world.

These women come boldly with intelligence and with a cogent argument.  They are demanding their rights. Moses has been assigning the various tribes and clans within the tribal areas of the Promised Land that will be each family's eternal possession.  These ladies are about to lose out on their family name getting any property in the Promised Land. This land represents a physical and spiritual inheritance.  Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah come boldly to seek their treasure.  Do you go boldly to the Lord to claim your spiritual inheritance?  The Bible says that you should seek Him and you will find Him, if you seek Him with your whole heart.

Moses is not sure how to handle this, so he goes to the Lord. The Lord sides with the women and says that they have a right to their father's property.  Moses is to assign them property just as he would have assigned Zelophad (say that three times real fast!) property.  This is revolutionary and sets a precedent for women in the community.  Do you go to the Lord when you are not sure how to handle a situation?

We see that throughout the Bible, women are revered and honored when the situation is handled by righteous people who truly have faith in God.  Jesus indicates that in the next life, in the new heaven and new earth, people are not known by their sexual orientation and gender. They are just known for the gifts and personality they possess.  God is not a respecter of persons. Meaning, He loves everyone equally regardless of gender or social position.  Therefore, God's decision to give the daughters of Zelophad familial property in the Promised Land is no surprise.

Do you see God as a fair Being?  Do you believe He is just in all that He does?  How has Bible study helped you to know His personality better? 

Moses is prepared for his own death in the next section of our reading.  He is allowed to climb to the mountain top to gaze into the Promised Land, but God is not going to allow him to enter the Promised Land because of his sin of striking the rock at Meribah.  Are you surprised that this wonderful servant of God is given this consequence by His Creator?  God is serious about sin and the consequences of sin. 

Moses requests a replacement leader. The Lord chooses Joshua. Note that the Bible says that Joshua was filled with God's Spirit. This is unique in the Old Testament. We will read much about Joshua in the future.  The final passages are about the burnt offering.  I was struck by how the burnt offering is a pleasure to God.  It sounds like a wonderful meal with roasted meat, bread and wine (Numbers 28:11-14).  It is important to realize that the burnt offering represents the person and work of Christ.  God wants a continual reminder of His Son in this offering.  His Son is a pleasure to Him.  His Son's personality and the work that he comes to do for mankind is a pleasure to God.  This burnt offering is an important daily experience that brings joy to the Author of All Things.

Do you rejoice in the work of Christ on the cross?  In what ways can you fashion sweet reminders of what He has done for you?

Luke 3:1-22

One thing I love about John the Baptist and Jesus is that they are cousins.  As I read their preaching styles and their message to the world, you can tell that they are related.  They use the same phrases and have the same passion.  Theirs must have been a very devout family.  Regardless, today we will spend time looking at what John the Baptist said during his ministry on earth.  When the prophet Isaiah spoke of John the Baptist in Isaiah 40:3-5, he described John the Baptist clearing a king's highway for the coming Savior.  Back in Biblical times kings could not fly from one part of their kingdom to another part, so large crews of men would level the ground and create the king's highway.  They would fill in valleys and lower mountains in order to make the traveling for the king easier.  When John the Baptist says to make straight paths, he is using this illustration.  Jesus is a King.  We are to repent of sin, which is making a straight path for the Holy God of the Universe.

John's ministry is all about repenting from sin.  He is a hellfire and brimstone guy.  Like Christ, John speaks of coming judgment.  Here are some highlights from his preaching:

• You brood of snakes, who warned you of coming judgment?
• Prove by your behavior that you really have turned from sin.
• Don't rely on being Abraham's offspring to get you saved.
• God's ax of judgment is ready to hit the roots of your tree.
• Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.

The crowd says, "What should we do then?"  Here is John's answer:

• Give clothes to the poor and food to the hungry. (Help people who are in need.)
• Be honest in your dealings.  (This was directed to tax collectors.)
• Don't extort money from people and be content with your pay. (This was directed to soldiers.)

John is pointing out behaviors that reflect a change of heart in these people.  Everyone wonders if he is the Messiah, but John says that he baptizes with water, but there is one coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  John warns that this Messiah will be the one who judges every one's heart. John was also bold in criticizing Herod, the local king, for his immoral behavior.

Jesus comes to be baptized by John in a public declaration of his ministry.

What would you say to John the Baptist if you met him?  Would you be able to say that you have repented of the sin in your life? Perhaps your repentance would be to stop gossiping or stop spending money you don't have. Think about this one.

Psalm 61:1-8

Lead me to the towering rock of safety...  I love that.  Is Christ your towering rock of safety?

Proverbs 11:16-17

Your own soul is nourished when you are kind.  That's a great truth.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011