©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
Who are the unrecognized women of the Bible, the ones whose names aren’t recorded but whose actions made an impact?
The widow who gave a mere two copper coins as an offering.
Those are a few found in the annals of Biblical history.
Another we don’t hear much about is an Old Testament story about one woman’s effort to protect her city, her heritage and her people.
In the book of 2nd Samuel, we find the account of an unnamed woman who used wisdom and courage to prevent catastrophe for her city.
Here’s the backstory:
The “troublemaker,” otherwise known in Biblical translations as a “wicked” man, was seeking to upset the established government and to usurp existing leadership and initiate his own sovereignty.
Sheba was a threat not only to David, the king of Israel, but also to those whom he put in danger by his presence. That’s what the people of Abel Beth Maakah discovered when he hid behind their city walls.
Because of the man’s evil intent and activities against the King, Joab and his troops were ready to attack the city. The people of Abel Beth Maakah would be the ones to suffer most because of the wicked one in their midst.
Identified only as wise, a woman in the city decided to take action to protect the area from ruin. She asked the soldiers to let her speak with the military leader. When she did, she implored him to listen.
“We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord’s inheritance?”
“Far be it from me!” Joab replied, “Far be it from me to swallow up or destroy! That is not the case. A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city…”
Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. 2 Samuel 20: 19-20,22 NIV
This Biblical accounting clearly isn’t to advocate cutting off people’s heads, but it serves as a reminder of the importance of ridding our environment of evil that infiltrates and inhabits our lives.
And it shows us the courage of one woman who chose to stand up.
This woman whose name we will never know used the power of persuasion to convince Joab to change course and not attack the city, and she convinced the people of the city to take action to protect their people, their homes and their way of life.
So, how does this woman’s story apply to today? No doubt you can think of many instances.
It takes courage and confidence to speak up and to take a stand.
It requires godly wisdom and insight to recognize and remove evil and pursue righteousness.
When we stand up to protect our values and our freedom and to help others, our names may not be recorded, but with God’s blessing and His power, evil can be removed.
We are this woman when we speak out about things that go against morality, the dignity of others, and God’s plan and purpose.
We are this woman when we stand up against evil to protect not only those we love but also those in our communities we may not even know.
We are this woman when we use wisdom and confidence to have difficult conversations.
We are this woman when we work to protect the kingdom of God and the freedom and inheritance we have in the Lord.
We are this woman when we expel evil from our minds, our lives and our communities.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 NIV
- What in your life is threatening your relationship with God and His sovereignty in your life?
- Which steps can you take to remove evil influences so as to provide protection and prevent harm for you and your family?
- How are the faith-based values of you, your children and your grandchildren being threatened?
- Do you need to ask God to give you more courage, more confidence, more wisdom or more guidance, or all of those, to stand up for Him?
- What is one thing you think of right now that you desire courage to speak out or act on to help rid your community of evil so that it can be more peaceful, protected and in line with God’s plan?
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™