S) "36 Then Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk; so she did not tell him anything at all until the morning light. 37 But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone. 38 About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
1 Samuel 25:36-38 (NASB)
O) I had a hard time narrowing my scope on this story. Abigail is such an intriguing person, that she warrants some very deep consideration. But, when I did focus, what really struck me was her faithfulness. Earlier in the story, we're told that Abigail was beautiful and intelligent, while her husband was foolish and harsh. Yet, he was a successful man. He was wealthy, with a thriving business. How many men are foolish and harsh, and successful? As the story unfolds, you see that it is Abigail, whose faithfulness to her husband, and their household, that makes it all work. Even when her husband (whose name means "fool," by the way) makes a fatal mistake, in opposing the anointed king of Israel (although he had not, yet, been coronated), she doesn't just flee to preserve her own life. She risks much, and hurries to make it right, covering her husband's folly. Love covers a multitude of sins, indeed! (1 Peter 4:8). Because of all of the precedent, I have every reason to believe that when she decided to wait until her husband was sober, it was with no malice, and was to prevent ruining his feast. In the end, her faithfulness could not save him. It's hard to know if the end of v.37 is literal, or figurative, but I know that in either case, the last 10 days must've been very hardest for Abigail, yet she remains his wife to the end.
A) It's not hard to put myself into this story. My wife is beautiful and intelligent, and she often makes up for my folly. Ideally, every marriage would have a balance, that the husband and wife are able to lean on each other, in Christ, to edify and strengthen on another. Sometimes, it's easy to feel like I'm the one making the bigger mistakes, more often. It's easy, because I have an enemy against me, whispering lies to me. And, the truth is, Kristin is hearing the same lies about herself. What's the truth? Our covenant with each other, before God, is bigger than our mistakes. I have the confidence that my wife is with me to the end, as I am for her. I can use Abigail's example of grace and mercy to her spouse, as an example of how to treat Kristin, as she also treats me.
P) Father, You know that I can be quite a foolish beast, indeed. And I am so thankful, that You have given me such a beauty for a wife. Remind me, God, when I am guilty, that my wife's love for me is bigger than my sins. Remind me, Father, that our marriage is so full of Your grace. Thank You for the amazing wife I have. Help shape me into better husband for her. I don't just want to be a good husband, I want to be a godly one. Let our marriage be a positive, holy example for our kids, all three of them, to know how You intend marriage to be. Help us both, Kristin and me, to honor You with our marriage at all times. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment