Huldah: Hearing from God and Sharing His Message

June 23, 2024June 16, 2024 / theconsecratedwoman / Leave a comment

Bible Verse: 2 Chronicles 34:23-25

²³ She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ²⁴‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. ²⁵Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.”

Huldah, the prophetess, is a less known figure in the Bible, mentioned in 2 Kings 22:14-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22-28. She was a prophetess during the reign of King Josiah of Judah in the late 7th century BCE. When Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Law during temple repairs, King Josiah sent a group to consult with Huldah. This group included Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah, who approached Huldah for her insight.

Huldah delivered a message from God, confirming what the Book of the Law said and predicted disaster for Jerusalem and its people because of their disobedience and idolatry. However, she also conveyed mercy for King Josiah, stating that because his heart was responsive and he humbled himself before God, he would not witness the doom God would bring to this place and people in his lifetime.

Huldah’s ability to hear God’s voice and deliver His message shows her deep spiritual sensitivity and leadership. Her story emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and the power of true repentance. Huldah’s role as a female prophet in a predominantly male religious setting highlights that God speaks through various people. Her prophetic message helped spark King Josiah’s repentance, leading to reforms, including the elimination of idolatry in Judah, and the renewal of the covenant.

The Lesson: Today, we can apply the lesson of Huldah the prophetess by recognizing the value of our own voices to deliver God’s message. Huldah’s story teaches the importance of seeking God’s wisdom, being spiritually sensitive, and using our insight to guide and inspire positive change. By embracing humility, repentance, and a commitment to truth, we can lead our communities, advocate for justice, and contribute to the restoration of faith and values, just as Huldah did in her time. Regardless of gender, everyone’s perspective is important and can be a channel for meaningful messages.

The Shunammite Woman: Hospitality and Generosity

June 16, 2024June 2, 2024 / theconsecratedwoman / Leave a comment

Bible Verse: 2 Kings 4:8-10

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”

The story of the Shunammite woman, found in 2 Kings, is about the profit Elisha visiting Shunem, where a wealthy and respected figure showed him great hospitality. She urged him to stay for a meal and whenever he passed by, he would stop there to eat. Recognizing him as a holy man, she told her husband, “This man is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof with a bed, table, chair, and lamp for him to stay in whenever he visits us.”

Her story is further marked by a series of miraculous events. Elisha promised her a son, despite her husband’s old age, and the prophecy was fulfilled. However, years later, her son died suddenly, and the Shunammite Woman sought Elisha’s help. Elisha returned with her to Shunem and raised her son from the dead. Later, during a famine, Elisha warned her to leave her land, which she did for seven years. Upon her return, she found her property taken due to her absence, but with Elisha’s intervention, she appealed to the king and had her land restored.

The Lesson: The story of the Shunammite Woman teaches us about the virtues of hospitality, faith, and resilience. To apply these lesson to your own life, focus on being hospitable and generous, even without expecting anything in return. Trust in the process and have faith, especially during difficult times, believing that challenges can lead to growth and restoration. Show resilience by facing hardships with courage and persistence. By sharing your resources to help others and supporting those dedicated to good causes, creating a ripple effect of goodwill, kindness, and compassion in your own community.

Jezebel: Warning Against Idolatry and Manipulation

June 2, 2024May 18, 2024 / theconsecratedwoman / Leave a comment

Bible Verse: 1 Kings 21:25

There was never anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.

Jezebel’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry, immorality, and defiance against God. As a Phoenician princess and the wife of King Ahab of Israel, she was known as an avid worshiper of the Canaanite god Baal. Her marriage to Ahab led to considerable religious and cultural conflicts within Israel. Jezebel actively promoted the worship of Baal and persecuted the prophets of the day, earning her a notorious reputation for idolatry and immorality.

Her story is marked by her opposition to the prophet Elijah and her involvement in the death of Naboth, a man who refused to sell his vineyard to King Ahab. Jezebel masterminded a plan to falsely charge Naboth, leading to his execution and Ahab’s seizing of the vineyard.

Jezebel met a gruesome end as described in the biblical account. When Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel confronted him from a window. Jehu then commanded her eunuchs to throw her down from the window. After her fall, some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses, and Jehu trampled her underfoot. Later, when they went to bury her, they found nothing left but her skull, feet, and hands, as dogs had devoured her flesh, fulfilling the prophecy made by Elijah. Today, Jezebel’s legacy is often associated with defiance and manipulation, and her name has become synonymous with wickedness and deception.

The Lesson: Today, we can learn the importance of avoiding spiritual corruption, manipulation, and misuse of power from Jezebel’s story in the Bible. The lesson we can learn is the importance of remaining faithful to God’s truth and resisting the allure of worldly temptations. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences that can come from seeking control through deceit and manipulation. Instead, we can choose a path of integrity, honesty, and empathy in our interactions with others, recognizing that true strength lies in being genuine and respectful of ourselves and others.

Hannah: Prayer, Gratitude, and Keeping Promises

May 12, 2024April 21, 2024 / theconsecratedwoman / Leave a comment

Bible Verse: 1 Samuel 1:10

Hannah’s story begins with her sadness and her inability to conceive a child. She prayed fervently to God, promising that if she became a mother, she’d dedicate her child to Him. God heard her prayers and Hannah gave birth to a son, Samuel, whose name means “heard of God” or “asked of God,”. In 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Hannah pours her heart out to God in gratitude for blessing her with Samuel and fulfilling her dream of motherhood. True to her word, she brought Samuel to the temple when he was old enough, dedicated him to God’s service. God blessed her with five more children, showing His faithfulness to her. Her son, Samuel, eventually becomes one of the great prophets and leaders of Israel.

The Lesson:

Hannah’s story offers valuable lessons that can inspire and encourage us. Her persistent prayers teach us the importance of seeking in God during our times of need, knowing that He hears and responds to our petitions according to His will. This demonstrates the power of prayer and the importance of remaining faithful, even when we are facing overwhelming trials. Hannah also represents a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for God’s blessings in our lives. Following God’s answer to her prayers, she remained true to her word, and in turn, God bestowed upon her even greater blessings, emphasizing the importance of honoring our commitments. By following Hannah’s example of persistence, gratitude, and commitment to God, we can overcome life’s challenges with faith, resilience, and a heart full of gratitude.

Naomi: Strength of Character

May 5, 2024April 21, 2024 / theconsecratedwoman / Leave a comment

Bible Verse: Ruth 2:20

“The Lord bless him!” Naomi said to her daughter-in-law. “He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead.”

Strength of character includes attributes like resilience, integrity, courage, and wisdom, enabling an individual to face challenges with determination and act in ways that are consistent with their values and principles. These traits are recognized for the strength they create in individuals. Throughout the Book of Ruth, Naomi displays strength of character in the face of adversity. Instead of giving in to bitterness or despair, she resolves to make the best of her circumstances and make a difficult journey back to Bethlehem. She showed love for her daughters-in-law when she encouraged them to go back to their families so they could remarry and secure a future. Naomi helped Ruth navigate through the customs and traditions that Ruth was new to, leading to Ruth marrying Boaz and having a child thereby preserving the lineage. Through everything that she went through Naomi never stopped believing and trusting in God’s promises.

The Lesson: We can learn from Naomi’s strength of character by being resilient in the face of adversity. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. Seek out friends, family, or mentors who uplift you during tough times. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as chances to learn and improve. Remember that setbacks are temporary, and with the help of the Lord, you have the capacity to adapt and overcome anything.