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RIZPAR

Rizpar was one of Saul's concubines. She stood and witnessed the gruesome murder of her two sons -  Armoni and Mephibosheth.  More disdainful to her is the fact that the two were not burried; they were left to rot contrary to the prevalent tradition of burrying the dead within the next 24hours.  With sorrow, Rizpar spent days and nights with the corpses ensuring that they were neither swamped nor dragged away by any animals. Soon enough, King David noticed her discomfort, and was moved by her attitude; David ordered for the burrying of Rizpar's sons, the remains of their father, Saul and that of Jonathan. BACKGROUND:  Joshua promised that Israel would be at peace with the Gibeonites. But Saul broke that oath, killing as many Gibeonites as he could in his time. In retallating, the Gibeonites asked David for seven of Saul's son whom they murdered in the presence of Rizpar. LESSONS:   1. Customes can be broken; protocols are skipable. If only we consistently...

NAAMAN'S LIFE STORY !

MEANING OF NAME  :  Sweetness  or pleasantness. HIS REGRET      : He  could not live all the years of his life as his name suggests; he was struck with leprosy. HIS JOY         : He  had a good wife and a good maid both of whom played large enough role in his healing.   STORY IN BRIEF : NAAMAN, a Syrian captain of Ben-hadad's  army, was a son of Caleb - a friend of Joshua. The valiant man was living joyously till he became a leper. Fortunately, NAAMAN had a good wife who also often expressed her displeasure about his sickly state. This would always attract their servant - an Israelite, into singing the praises of Elisha to them. Now, the couple were not only enthused by the songs of praise their maid sang; they also believed in the Prophet, Elisha, upon hearing of the miracles he had been performing as recounted by their maid servant. So NAAMAN rose to meet with Elisha in Samaria. Elisha would instruct him to was...

ANNA

MEANING: Grace. SORROW: As a widow, she would probably have been among the most vulnerable members of society, with no one to provide for her financially or to take care of her if her health failed. JOY: That her own eyes beheld the Messiah she had longed to see. STORY IN BRIEF: Anna, a Prophetess from the tribe of Asher, became a widow after seven years of marriage. She spent whole of her widowhood fasting and praying to God. Anna worshipped in Herod's temple. This temple had tour segments - the outer court for Gentiles or non-Jews; the inner court divided into Women's and Israelites'; the Priestly court for the Leviticus Priests which also surrounded the temple. Anna could only access the Women's court yet God was merciful to her - She witnessed the Messiah; while Anna worshipped in the temple one day, Someon came holding the baby Jesus in his laps. REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: Luke 2 : 22 - 38

THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN

 


She lived in Jezreel, specifically along a road that links Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Being a generous woman, she agreed with her husband and made a resting place on the top of their building for Elisha who mostly plied that road.


One day, when the shunamite saw Elisha travelling the road again with his servant she invited them over into her house and showed her kindness so much to the Prophet's satisfaction.


Thus, Elisha sought through his servant, Geharzi, to reward her gesture but the woman sharply objected to it. The Prophet then asked his servant if there was any favour he could use his influence with the King of Israel to offer her but the woman would still reject that offer.


So he asked Geharzi to suggest a reward for the woman. When the servant mentioned that the woman had no child, Elisha declared that they would have one a year's time from then, which the Lord also fulfilled.


When this child died some years later, the woman went laid him in Elisha's room. But God remained faithful; after Elisha prayed and laid himself on the child a couple of times, he jerked back to life ! 


FURTHER READINGS:

Song of Songs 1 – 8

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