#182: UNEXPECTED LESSONS from UNLIKELY LADIES (Part 1)
I believe that when we think of the stories in the Bible, we elevate the characters of those stories as if they are more than we are or had more to offer God than us. But when we dig in and really study to understand these stories, we realize that each and everyone of them are just ordinary people, sinners, people just like you and me. Women are so very guilty of comparing themselves, judging others, and providing plenty of self talk whether positive or negative. But as we dive into 8 women over the next 4 weeks, hopefully you will cut those chains of guilt, clear your heart of judgement, and open yourselves to the saving grace God gives to all that just want to follow Him!
Today we are learning about Rebekah and Eve. We’ve spoken of these women and we’ve known their stories. But did you know:
Rebekah:
· Mothered the first set of recorded twins?
· Loved Jacob more?
· Encouraged Jacob to steal Esau’s blessing from Isaac by deceiving his father?
· Deceived her husband
· Tried to take control of God’s plan and make it her own?
· Mothered 2 nations one of which would birth Jesus Christ?
· Was chosen to fulfill God’s plan even with her sin?
Eve:
· Was easily deceived by the serpent?
· Tempted her husband, Adam, to sin along with her?
· Hid from God?
· Desired more?
· Mothered all nations?
· Was created by God with His own hands as the first woman?
· Was chosen to fulfill God’s plan even with her sin?
As you see here, God used sinners to do His extraordinary work! But that’s just it; it was His glorious work, not the work of the characters of the stories. God is glorious, not the people.
Someone once said, “It’s obvious God loves ordinary people; that’s why He created so many of them.”
BE IN THE WORD:
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
BE EDUCATED:
Read these stories for yourself and see exactly what you can pull out of them and what God can reveal to you. Rebekah is found in Genesis 25-28. And the story of Eve’s sin is Genesis 3.
BE DOERS, NOT JUST HEARERS:
Consider this quote:
David Guzik, “Instead of trusting God to fulfill what He had promised, Rebekah went about to do what she thought was right in man-centered wisdom and strength. Her good intentions did not justify this self-centered approach.”
This can be said of all of the women we are going to study. So, here is the question for you: Do you take control of what God has called you because you think you know what is best? You might have the best of intentions even. Reflect on your own life and see where you might be more like Rebekah and Eve than you think.
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