flickr
Abigail
- She is the embodiment of Matthew 10:16b: "be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
Abigail is described as having "understanding/ intelligence (se.khel)" in 1 Samuel 25:3. the same term is used for
Solomon Il Chron 2:12\
This story in 1 Samuel 25 is highly unusual in the Bible because a woman, Abigail, is the main character and her speech in verses 24-31 is one of the longest by a woman in the scriptures.
Middle East a highly patriarchal society
Servant went to Abigail for help
Abigail Evaluated the Situation
Her husband and servants are no match for David and his band of warriors.
Her husband was stubborn, wicked, and prideful and would probably never consider apologizing to David.
The only course of action
Take matters into her own hands
Abigail chooses her words to David very carefully,
Abigail's behavior seems at odds with the NT: col 3:18, Eph. 5:22, Eph 4:24 & 1 Pet 3:5 Indeed some Christians feel Abigail's actions were wrong.
“Abigail is a good example of a wife but her defying her husband must be guarded against. When reading this passage the husband must guide his wife”
|
"We must conclude that, although her motives were sincere, her methods were wrong and displeasinq to the Lord who hates rebellion aqainst authority even thouqh that authority be an unwise father or a foolish husband" (p. 301).
|
Two contrasting views of Abigail: Heroine and good wife vs Bad wife
The Old Testament certainly does not condemn her
Three things go wrong with the application of these New Testament verses about submission
1. It becomes an absolute rule applied to all situations.
a. There are church that treat women who do not put up with abuse as unbelievers.
b. Pastors/ churches/so called Christian counselors that blame women for the husband's infidelity, alcoholism etc.
2. superseding submission to Christ and His teachings- (in other words) –they claim obeying your husband is more important than obeying Christ
3. Too often applied to customs and cultures
The following are American customs and not Biblical mandates
• Men must manage the money
• Women must not work
• If women do work they must not make more money than the husband
• Major purchases must be at least approved by husband - car
These commands to submit must be understood in light of scripture that calls for our behavior to be consistent with our submission to the Lord
James 4:7Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Ephesians 5:21-22
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of
Obviously, there can be circumstances when an authority over us asks too much as when Daniel was asked to worship a false god, and in these moments we choose to honor God by refusing the unrighteous request, just as Daniel refused to worship the king.
In those moments, we place ourselves in God's hands, as Daniel did.
Proverbs closed out (31:10-31) with an Hebrew acoustic poem on the virtuous women/wife. First verse begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet , the second the second letter and so on
10 אֵֽ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
There is no reference to her husband approving these behaviors or even being involved in them
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
Again she is involved in trading and commerce
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
She is involved in these things and yet her husband praises her(I would too)
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”