Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Thw Wisdom of Woman! You don’t have to read very far in the Bible to discover the wisdom often inherent in God’s creation, Woman. No, women are not infallible, but God said “..it is not good for the man to be alone,” Genesis 2:18. He was right then, and always will be. The more you read the Bible the more you realize that God has given woman great power, influence –  and wisdom. Radical feminism charges the Bible with “sexism,” claiming restrictions placed upon women in both Jewish and Christian societies have kept them from having their rightful place in civilized cultures. Historians and social scientists, however, have said for years that the Bible is and has been the greatest source of support and strength for woman. There is no biblical reason for men and women to be in competition with each other. There is too much to be done today for us to allow competition to divert our attention. While it is true that God gave man leadership in the home and the church, this denotes no inferiority in women. Someone must lead, and God gave the responsibility to men, whether they like it or not (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1.) The Bible narrative, its truth validated by our experience, illustrates the wisdom found in women, past and present. Solomon wrote, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger,” Proverbs 15:1. Perhaps this passage says more than we have realized. Is woman more willing to give the “soft answer” in a conflict than a man? If so, this may be where the wise women of the Bible have shown their wisdom most clearly. Abigail: A Wise Woman In 1 Samuel 25, David sent his emissaries to a man named Nabal. We are informed of Nabal’s “churlish,” ill-mannered behavior, and it is seen in his response to David’s men. His wife, Abigail, seeing the danger into which Nabal was running headlong, used the wisdom so often abundant in woman. Strife was imminent, for Nabal [a synonym for fool] had threatened violence against a man who would not countenance such behavior. Her gracious plea for her husband was not rejected, and David did not seek vengeance upon him. How many men have made rash statements or sought vengeance when, had they heeded the wisdom of a wise woman, they might have been spared much grief? David told Abigail, “Blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand,” 1 Samuel 25:33. The Wise Woman of Abel David also benefited by the intervention of another wise woman. Joab, David’s commander, cornered the rebellious Sheba in the city of Abel of Bethmaachah. As he prepared to take the city by siege, the residents of the city were fearful for their lives. In the moments before the furious battle and the destruction began, a woman of the city called for Joab to hear her plea. She reminded Joab that her fellow-citizens were guiltless of rebellion, and asked: “Thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou   swallow up the inheritance of the   Lord?” 2 Samuel 20:19. Joab’s military mind-set would have resulted in an entire city being ravaged just to end the rebellion of one man. A wise woman convinced Joab to take a second look at his plans. How many congregations of the Lord’s church would be well served if some wise women asked, “Why wilt thou swallow up [devour] the inheritance of the Lord?” when some are leading the church away from the “old paths,” Jeremiah 6? We still need women who respect, seek and exhibit a godly form of wisdom! Qualities of a Wise Woman These and others who could be mentioned, have qualities of wisdom that are often overlooked, such as: They are respectful, but not afraid to ask the hard questions. The wise women of the Bible did not act in a way so as to usurp the authority of others, but they also were willing to speak up in respectful ways when prudent words and wise action were needed. They are willing to risk themselves for a greater cause. Esther carried a heavy responsibility in representing God’s people. Risking death for approaching a Persian king uninvited, she said, “If I perish, I perish,” Esther 4:16. She did what had to be done to save her people. Wisdom and courage walk hand in hand with a wise woman. They are willing to submit to God’s authority.   No one is wise who has no respect for the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments,” Psalms 111:10. Anyone, male or female, who rebels against the authority of God does not exhibit wisdom. They can see the real issues without distraction. Men often allow pride, ego, or a thirst for power to make them bandon common sense. The woman who came to Solomon seeking her baby’s life, 1 Kings 3, realized she might win the argument but lose her precious baby. In her love for the child, she showed the highest form of wisdom. The church has benefited from the wisdom of many wise women through the years. They study their Bibles and live by its precepts. We praise God for these women, and may we all praise and give thanks for them – and follow their good example. Carl B Garner

What God's Word Says About "Falling Away" These are but a few of the many passages in the Bible on this subject. These passages address Christians. Notice the conditions. Romans 8:12-13 “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 11:22 – “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 10:6-12 “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted ……Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Galatians 5:4 – “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal. 6:7-8 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 1 Timothy 4:1-3 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15-18 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” Hebrews 3:12-14 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end…” Heb. 10:26-30 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries…” 2 Peter 2:20-21 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”