Page Four: “Wisdom Versus Rashness” – 5/06/2012
As a contrast to Sheba, God gives to us the story of an unnamed wise woman. And as you can easily see, this woman is also a very persuasive person.
The city is Abel Beth-ma-a-chah. Abel Bethmaachah was known in history as a city where numerous wise people lived. When you were in need of learning how to live, you would look to a man or woman of the city of Bethmaachah.
Look at verse eighteen. (18) “Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.”
The name means “Meadow of the house of oppression.” Those who lived in Abel Bethmaacha, by their wisdom, turned that city from a house of oppression to a house of counsel.
Now there’s another word in this passage that tells us what Abel Bethmaachah was. That term is “mother” in verse nineteen. And it simply means that the city was a large and very prominent city.
And inside this city was a woman, who, as she watched Joab and the Israeli army building a siege bank against the city wall, carefully discerned how to best help the citizens of Beth Maachah.
She’s left unnamed for Divine reasons. And yet we find two qualities of this woman that make her a practical example for us for today.
Look with me at two words in her conversation with Joab who is about to build a siege mount against the city and destroy it. Look at verse nineteen. (19) “I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel:…”
Two wonderful qualities found in the human race: peaceable and faithful. She was a woman who not only wanted peace. She was a peace-maker. She had learned that wisdom is peaceable. When someone is truly for peace, they will discover that peace comes with learning how to discern between right and wrong and doing the right.
And she was faithful. She, in no way was disloyal to either God or to her God-ordained authority, King David.
Then, once she spoke directly to Joab to find out his reasons for building a siege bank against the city, she returned to do the one thing that was necessary. She used her influence to encourage others in the city to do what was right. Her recommendation? Behead Sheba, which they all apparently agree to, verse twenty-two.
(22) “Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab.”
Now, it’s likely that you will not remember these two people unless you recognize God’s purposes in recording their stories for us.
First, Sheba illustrates this. Godhas called us to live under our God-given authorities for our own benefit.
A strong-willed man with unholy attitudes will show us exactly what raw power without goodness in it is like. God has called each of us to a life of surrender to God. When we go our own way and disrespect those God has sent to benefit us, we forsake His protection and blessing.
Second, Wisdom is exemplified in a life of peaceableness and faithfulness. This unnamed wise woman shows to us our need to be faithful and peaceable in everything we do. These two qualities to a large degree express our growth in practical and personal wisdom.
Now, what will you do with God’s word today? Will you surrender to the LORD and pray “Thy will be done” in my life? Will you personally learn from Sheba and his wise woman?
You can be sure LORD’s voice is calling you again and again to a personal surrender of your life to Him.
As you know, Jesus came into this world for at least two purposes. One, He came here to become the Substitute for your sin. And two, He came here to live His life through you.
Today we will ask you to come to His table and to His fellowship. And, at the table, if you indeed are His child by faith in His Son, come with a humble heart, willing to let Him have charge of your life.
He is ready and willing to enable you to hold the right attitudes towards those in authority over you. He’s also ready to teach you the practical side of wisdom – peaceableness and faithfulness.
As you come to the table will you pray this prayer? “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your blessed will upon me today. Amen”
Please now, as the men come to prepare themselves to serve you at the LORD’s table, turn with me in your hymnal to Hymn # 413 “Break Thou The Bread of Life” vss. 1-2
The city is Abel Beth-ma-a-chah. Abel Bethmaachah was known in history as a city where numerous wise people lived. When you were in need of learning how to live, you would look to a man or woman of the city of Bethmaachah.
Look at verse eighteen. (18) “Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.”
The name means “Meadow of the house of oppression.” Those who lived in Abel Bethmaacha, by their wisdom, turned that city from a house of oppression to a house of counsel.
Now there’s another word in this passage that tells us what Abel Bethmaachah was. That term is “mother” in verse nineteen. And it simply means that the city was a large and very prominent city.
And inside this city was a woman, who, as she watched Joab and the Israeli army building a siege bank against the city wall, carefully discerned how to best help the citizens of Beth Maachah.
She’s left unnamed for Divine reasons. And yet we find two qualities of this woman that make her a practical example for us for today.
Look with me at two words in her conversation with Joab who is about to build a siege mount against the city and destroy it. Look at verse nineteen. (19) “I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel:…”
Two wonderful qualities found in the human race: peaceable and faithful. She was a woman who not only wanted peace. She was a peace-maker. She had learned that wisdom is peaceable. When someone is truly for peace, they will discover that peace comes with learning how to discern between right and wrong and doing the right.
And she was faithful. She, in no way was disloyal to either God or to her God-ordained authority, King David.
Then, once she spoke directly to Joab to find out his reasons for building a siege bank against the city, she returned to do the one thing that was necessary. She used her influence to encourage others in the city to do what was right. Her recommendation? Behead Sheba, which they all apparently agree to, verse twenty-two.
(22) “Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab.”
Now, it’s likely that you will not remember these two people unless you recognize God’s purposes in recording their stories for us.
First, Sheba illustrates this. Godhas called us to live under our God-given authorities for our own benefit.
A strong-willed man with unholy attitudes will show us exactly what raw power without goodness in it is like. God has called each of us to a life of surrender to God. When we go our own way and disrespect those God has sent to benefit us, we forsake His protection and blessing.
Second, Wisdom is exemplified in a life of peaceableness and faithfulness. This unnamed wise woman shows to us our need to be faithful and peaceable in everything we do. These two qualities to a large degree express our growth in practical and personal wisdom.
Now, what will you do with God’s word today? Will you surrender to the LORD and pray “Thy will be done” in my life? Will you personally learn from Sheba and his wise woman?
You can be sure LORD’s voice is calling you again and again to a personal surrender of your life to Him.
As you know, Jesus came into this world for at least two purposes. One, He came here to become the Substitute for your sin. And two, He came here to live His life through you.
Today we will ask you to come to His table and to His fellowship. And, at the table, if you indeed are His child by faith in His Son, come with a humble heart, willing to let Him have charge of your life.
He is ready and willing to enable you to hold the right attitudes towards those in authority over you. He’s also ready to teach you the practical side of wisdom – peaceableness and faithfulness.
As you come to the table will you pray this prayer? “LORD, right now I submit all that I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your blessed will upon me today. Amen”
Please now, as the men come to prepare themselves to serve you at the LORD’s table, turn with me in your hymnal to Hymn # 413 “Break Thou The Bread of Life” vss. 1-2