S) "24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, also Uzzen-sheerah."
1 Chronicles 7:24 (NASB)
O) It's a small thing, tucked in the midst of more genealogy. Ephraim has a daughter, whom God uses to build 3 separate towns. While little is known about Uzzen-sheerah (it is only mentioned once in the Bible), it was a town that, at the very least, was named after the woman. The other two towns are mentioned in a few different places in the Bible, and seem to have a fair amount of significance where they are mentioned. Our purpose is not our own glory, but God's glory. Sheerah was used by God in a pretty amazing way, considering the time period, and the notoriously misogynistic world in which she lived. The Bible is clear that God has given roles for husbands and wives, and that is a good thing. But this verse is a reminder that God has plans for women to serve Him in mighty ways also.
A) As a father of two girls, I want to do everything I can to reinforce biblical principles of how God intends marriages to look. But this verse is such a great example that submission to your husband does not equal oppression that will keep a woman from doing something really amazing! Along with ensuring that my daughters understand what it means to follow and support a godly husband, I want them to know that God might still call them to do incredible things as individual women. It doesn't mean they will be independent of their husbands, but it does mean they might have a calling specific to them. My daughters don't have to do anything as extraordinary as building towns, to consider life a success in glorifying God, but they could build towns.
P) Father, in every way, help me raise my daughters to know how much You value them as individuals. Let them see themselves first, as Your daughters. Before seeing themselves as my daughters, or as wives, or as mothers; let them place their identity firmly in You, Jesus. From there, help me show them that Your plans for their lives can be every bit as big and adventurous and fantastic, as any boy's could. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment