August 27, 2018

Abigailism

 My Dear Friend,

     For decades secularism has harmed Christian and traditional womanhood - as it has manhood! As godless feminism has risen, biblical femininity has fallen.

     It's time the daughters of Zion relearn and relive godly womanhood. For that, we need look no further than Abigail. Let's review Abigail's assets - the qualities that prompted God to approve, anoint, send, use, reward, and honor her. (See 1 Samuel 25.)

     She was wise and insightful (v. 3), as this dramatic story reveals. She was "beautiful" (v. 3) yet not conceited or self-obsessed. She was mismatched but faithful, honoring God by keeping her vows with a dishonorable spouse (v. 3). She was respected by her companions; they came to her, not Nabal, when grave trouble arose (v. 14).

     She possessed acumen, quickly assessing and solving the crises resulting from Nabal's provocative message to David (vv. 13, 34). She was generous, bringing David's men plenty of food (v. 18). She was ready for action, not shrinking from responsibilities she alone could fulfill (vv. 18-20). She was discreet, withholding information from her angry husband until the time was right to speak (vv. 19, 36).

     An inspiring leader, her servants followed her unhesitatingly even at the risk of losing their positions or worse when Nabal discovered they went against his orders (v. 19). She was courageous, risking her life to meet David's 400 angry soldiers who could have easily killed her before she spoke a word (v. 20).

     She was humble, prostrating herself before David and, after marrying, asking only to be a servant to his servants (vv. 23-24, 41). She was an intercessor, "praying" to David and God for the life of her family and servants (v. 28). She was merciful to the merciless, as her actions saved Nabal despite his unmercifulness to David (vv. 10-11, 17). She was a prophetess, or Spirit-filled spokesmen accurately foretelling David what God would do with and for him (vv. 28-31).

     She was not vengeful, since after God struck Nabal she didn't reproach him for his contemptible behavior (vv. 36-37; ct. Exod. 4:24-26). She was a compliment to David, her character being a mirror image of his. She was a comfort to David, a deep, healing joy after he had endured Michal's hateful, wounding tongue (2 Sam. 6:20-23).

     She fulfilled her name, which means "cause of joy," by delighting God, David, and everyone she met! She was the personification of the perfect wife, the proverbial "virtuous woman," or woman of powerful character (Prov. 31:10-31).

     Here is a model of godly womanhood every Christian wife and woman may study and follow. May "Abigailism" spread throughout our churches and land, reversing the gains of godless feminism!

For Abigailism,

Greg Hinnant Greg Hinnant Ministries