Abigail - a woman described as intelligent, beautiful and a peacemaker. There is an ocean of wisdom to be drawn from her life.
As an aside to Bobbie's message on Abigail Bobbie spoke on the following;
When Bobbie comes back from Colour EU & USA, she's going to expand on, and grow our insight and wisdom with respect to, the men that we do life with. Remind ourself of what is needful. We cannot be an effective movement of women if we don't have a magnificent affect on the brothers. We must display a beautiful attitude and response to the brothers; even strangers.
She then flipped Prov 31 intelligent woman, 'who is she?', to the male perspective.
1. Godly women can disarm a world of indifference and aggression - Steve Penny. What do we disarm them with? What qualities should we possess? Examine the bigger picture that our interaction and impact can have on those we encounter.
We should be living epistles, walking examples of everything that is Christ-like, empowered by the anointing of God. His anointing breaks the yoke. We can carry the intangible (physically), touch/presence of God. We exhibit Gods' love and mannerisms by our response, in our tone and the words we choose to speak.
2. God has called us (women) 'Helper' for a reason. Gen 1.
3. The stature of the church in the days ahead requires us to be in a breathtakingly harmonious state of being. What will be the distinctive tone of the church? Bobbie believes the defining aspect of the church will be; a) The irresistible, tangible presence of God, and; b) Literally felt and evidenced, peace, unity and harmony upon the people.
[Note: Bobbie is not referring to Hillsong she is referring to His Church, His Bride.]
Our walk with God, and the calling on each of our lives, boils down to the individual. It's about 'The One' (person), and how the truth of God translates to each.
Abigail was married to Nabal, whose name meant foolish, senseless, rough, mean and evil in all his doings.
Nowhere in the bible does it call a man an idiot. There are a few instances where people are described as fools, unwise, or imprudent.
Why did Abigail marry a man like this, when she was described, in the bible, as intelligent, beautiful and a peacemaker? I guess we all fall in love with the prince and wake up to realise that Prince Charming ain't that charming. We fall in love with the perfect picture of love, but the reality of a relationship takes work.
1 Samuel 25:2-3 MSG: "There was a certain man in Maon who carried on his business in the region of Carmel. He was very prosperous—three thousand sheep and a thousand goats, and it was sheep-shearing time in Carmel. The man’s name was Nabal (Fool), a Calebite, and his wife’s name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and good-looking, the man brutish and mean."
In 1 Sam 25, we see the whole of the story laid out. It's interesting to consider that one of Nabels' servants approaches Abigail, knowing that Nabel himself cannot be swayed, but this servant is obviously aware that Abigail is wise, and perhaps can convince her husband.
When Abigail meets David at the foot of the mountain, she lays prostrate on the floor, showing an action of submission. She is physically showing her stance to David in order to calm his rage. She then recounts what transpired with the interaction with David's men and Nabel, and advises that her husband lives up to his names' reputation. 1 Sam 25:25 "Let not my lord, I pray you, regard this foolish and wicked fellow Nabal, for as his name is, so is he—Nabal [foolish, wicked] is his name, and folly is with him. But I, your handmaid, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent."
In verse 28 Abigail suggests to David that attacking Nabel may not be a good idea, in fact it wasn't a God-idea, and reminds David of Gods' Lordship over his life. Abigail has David's attention so she takes the opportunity to speak over his life.
1 Samuel 25:28-29 MSG: “Forgive my presumption! But GOD is at work in my master, developing a rule solid and dependable. My master fights GOD ’s battles! As long as you live no evil will stick to you. If anyone stands in your way, if anyone tries to get you out of the way, Know this: Your God-honored life is tightly bound in the bundle of God-protected life; But the lives of your enemies will be hurled aside as a stone is thrown from a sling. "
Abigail tells David 'don't screw up here'. Remember God. As women, we should speak to the prince (the son of the King) within our man. How and 'who' you speak to, is who you get back.
And David said, “Blessed be GOD, the God of Israel. He sent you to meet me! And blessed be your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and taking charge of looking out for me. A close call! As GOD lives, the God of Israel who kept me from hurting you, if you had not come as quickly as you did, stopping me in my tracks, by morning there would have been nothing left of Nabal but dead meat.” (1 Samuel 25:32-34 MSG).
David realises that Abigail has been sent by God, and that she has blessed him with her good sense.
We can have Godly influence. After speaking godly wisdom to David, he accepted the gift she brought him and said, “Return home in peace. I’ve heard what you’ve said and I’ll do what you’ve asked.” (1 Samuel 25:35 MSG)
So after taking an enormous risk, speaking life and 'godly hope', which could have resulted in her death and that of her countrymen, she returns home in peace. Her actions and her courage, results in peace.
3 lessons from her life
Peace begins with us. God gives us a revelation that requires us to 'go' and will more likely than not be risky. We have to remember that God is, and we are called to go regardless. We have to choose to be a peacemaker.
1. Peacemaking is not for the faint hearted. Abigail fulfilled a 'brave invitation' which resulted in changing her lineage. When we choose peace, we find there is life in peace. When we choose not to seek and follow peace, it's a dead end. It goes nowhere. Because Abigail responded, her actions protected the plan of God. There is nothing 'soft' about peace; to find peace, to make peace and to love in peace, is difficult.
Peacemakers are not wimpy. Peacemakers are Bold, Brave and Courageous. Peacemakers choose right over wrong. They choose to take the higher (godly) way, over the lesser. They choose selfless over being selfish. They choose to seek wisdom (from God), over foolishness. People who paint Jesus as this soft, wishy-washy, person, are clueless. Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons and daughters of God.
Consider: Abigail was riding into the fray, with the real possibility of massacre. [I believe she rode on a donkey to convey submission and passivity, because if she rode in on a horse this may have caused David to respond with aggression, being unaware that it was a woman on the horse (Sam)].
The 'God factor' within her, trusted that the 'God factor' in David would prevail.
Jesus = kind, generous & loving, but He is also the Prince of Peace. Jesus defeated the ferocity of hell. Therefore, Jesus is Fierce. He is the Lion of Judah. There's no easy answer to the worlds problem.
Peace is defined as a state of tranquility and quiet. Harmony. An agreement to end hostilities. Abigail lay prostrate, in front of 400 warriors. Her action's spoke about her position of peace.
Ps 34: turn away from evil, search and work to maintain it. Heb 12:14: work at peace. Rom 14: make every effort to keep the peace. Ephesians: feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Praying and seeking. Applying peace where we can.
Peace starts with us, it is a choice. Bobbie likens our choices to those seen in the 'Sliding Door' movie scenarios. Choose this and go through this door or that. We choose between life and death. Our words bring life or death; they can bring encouragement or discouragement.
Abigail, could have chosen a different response. Her lineage would have ended that day if she hadn't responded in the way she did.
2. Peacemaking is a sign of maturity. When you live with maturity the 'Prince of Peace' resides within.
If Jesus is allowed to be Lord, you will see the fruit of the Spirit within your life (Gal 5:22-25) fruit - love, joy, peace, etc. Keep in step with the spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:22-26 NIV)
The more in step we get with His spirit, the more we will have 'eyes to see'; the more effective we become.
Abigail rose quickly. She displayed a willingness to response to God, and she used her intuitive gift to speak over David's life.
3. Peace is the gift this world will be lining up for. Rev 6:3. Given unto one to take away. Peace will shine brightly upon the witness of our lives.
It is possible to live within a non-harmonious marriage landscape, and bring peace. It is possible to be peacemakers with disquieted teenagers and kids. Peacemakers can affect change in a combative, hostile family. As you walk with God, and align with His spirit, He can bring discernment and wisdom and allow you to take courage and bring peace.
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