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Women of Significance Pt 7
No comments · Posted by Peter Wilson in The Power of God's Word, Women of Significance
(READ 1 SAM 25:2-42. {NKJV})
In Point No 1 in my last Blog, we saw how approachable Abigail was and how approachability is one of the key characteristics of wisdom.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield (approachable), full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (NKJV)
Point No 2: When Abigail receives the news that David and his men are on their way to kill Nabal, herself and all their household, she orders her servants to load food and drink onto donkeys. Her intention was to take them to David, intercept him and persuade him not to carry out his threat. But she did not tell Nabal what she was about to do! (1 Sam 25:18,19)
Question – why did Abigail not first discuss her actions with Nabal. Doesn’t Scripture say that the wife is to be submissive to her husband?
The answer to this question is in two parts:
A) Scripture teaches that trying to reason with a fool is impossible.
Prov 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. (NIV)
Prov 23:9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. (NIV)
Abigail knew from past experience that trying to reason with Nabal was a futile exercise, and that time was of the essence!
B) Part of Abigail’s role as a wife was to submit to her husband Nabal.
Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. (AMP)
But Scripture also says that a husband is to love his wife and lay his life down for her.
Eph 5:25,28,29. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church. (AMP)
Scripture describes Nabal as ‘harsh and evil in his doings’ (1 Sam 25:3) and as the head of the home he was not taking responsibility for his wife and family. He was excercising selfish unrighteous authority, whereas, when the Bible talks about submission it is always in the context of righteous authority.
Therefore, Abigail was justified in taking independent action without first consulting with Nabal.
There are those who teach that a wife must submit to her husband at all times, and there are husbands who have taken full advantage of this by treating their wives as doormats, abusing and bullying them.
If the husband loves his wife and is laying down his life for her, not only will he treat her with respect but will respect her right to have equal input into family issues. Thus if her input is respectful, wise and right, he will submit himself to her.
Eph 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (NIV)
Marriage is two people pulling together: loving, supporting, serving and helping each other.
Eccl 4:9-12 Two can accomplish more than twice as much as one, for the results can be much better. If one falls, the other pulls him up; but if a man falls when he is alone, he’s in trouble. Also, on a cold night, two under the same blanket gain warmth from each other, but how can one be warm alone? And one standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer; three is even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (TLB)
Not only do husband and wife have each other, they also have Christ, and the Scripture above declares that a triple braided cord is not easily broken.
Wherever this model is lived out, both parties will naturally respect the roles that Scripture ascribes to them and harmony will reign!
When we view Abigail’s actions in the light of this story, we can see just how wise she was. Truly, any man would would count it an honour to be married to such a beautiful and wise woman. Everyone, that is, except Nabal!
Meditation Prayer: Father, help me take responsibility for my actions. Give me your wisdom to see the big picture of my life.
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