Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher

 

WORTHY

By Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher

The authors of this book divided the chapters based on the Worth of Women ...

 

In creation

In the Fall

In the Promise

In Israel’s History

In Israel’s Law

In Israel’s wisdom

In Jesus’ birth

In Jesus’ life and ministry

In Jesus’ death and resurrection

In the Church

In the Twenty-first Century

 

Below you will find some social media postings I made from this book. 

Chapters 1, 2 and 3 – The worth of women in Creation, in the Fall and in the Promise

I have a confession to make. I have never seen "grace" mentioned in Genesis 3. Every time I have read this chapter on the sin in the Garden of Eden and yes even in preaching I have never seen it before.  How awful! Before God pronounces the consequences of Adam and Eve's sin God gives them the promise of a Saviour. And you know what else I am only noticing - both Adam and Eve are told of the consequences. For many because Eve is mentioned first in terms of her consequences she is blamed for a lot more such as deception, seduction, mishandling scripture, being the chief sinner over man. Before God drives them out of the Garden of Eden God draws them to himself in faith.

 

Genesis 3 verse 20 "And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living."

 

Adam did not name his wife until after they had sinned. Back in Genesis 2 verse 7 God had promised that they would die if they ate of the tree. Then in Genesis 3 verse 19 he reminded Adam that he would return to dust after he died. But in between he promised the woman children, a child who would defeat the serpent.

 

Adam trusted God, he believed God would allow them to live for a time and have children. He believed the promise of a Redeemer. It was then that he named his wife Eve. It is an act of faith. He believed God's grace had intervened between him and God's wrath. He trusted that he and his wife would have children. He believed Eve would be the mother of all living. He had faith that the seed of the woman would come to redeem them.

 

Adam received God's salvation by grace through faith. God's saving promises are always received and applied by faith.

 

Genesis 15 verse 6 "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness."

 

Eve shared her husband's faith. Her statement of faith are the first human words recorded after the fall.

 

Genesis 4 verse 1 "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived and bare Cain and said I have gotten a man from the LORD."

 

Eve knew this was a gift of mercy. Eve had faith that God was helping her according to his promise. Eve believed.

 

Notice Eve used the covenant name of God - the LORD. It is the Hebrew name Yahweh.

 

Faith does not bring our best life now. The promise is not a life of prosperity. Grace does not guarantee a life of comfort.

 

I am really finding it hard to believe that even after Eve sinned God promised her mercy and grace. She was a woman of shame but became a persevering believer and the mother of all children of faith.

 

I have been seen as "worthless" in the past repeatedly. I do hang my head in guilt over past deception and flagrant sins. I have been captive to pain and loss in this cruel and harsh world. I have struggled to believe because of the lies and broken vows. But there is hope. The Lord's my hope and he offers it to you too - all you have to do is listen. Through the power of the Gospel we can receive his faith today and every day.

 

I can be deceived by the lies of Satan, the world and the flesh. But I am not beyond God's grace. One day I will reign and rule with Jesus Christ the King. I can wear the righteousness of Christ. I have been adopted into the family of God. I have been filled by the Spirit of God and he has gifted me for service as a blessing to the world, the church and my home.

 

Chapter 4 – the worth of women in Israel’s history

 

Do you see yourself this way today?

 

Have you ever wondered what God thinks of you? If he really knows and understands your situation? I have moved on to the story of Sarah.

 

She and her husband were moon worshipers. Her entire life was summed up in these words "But Sarai was barren: she had no child." She had probably heard of the promise of a deliverer. But she had waited and waited and finally accepted the truth. 2000 years had passed and it was a long time to wait for something spoken in a lost garden years ago. Sarah's reality was barrenness and childlessness.

 

25 years had passed since God promised her and her husband that he would make of them a great multitude and they had believed. She needed to hear the promise again.

 

On that hot day as God came down in human form to her husband Abraham God asked one very specific question Where is Sarah thy wife? God wanted her to know that this promise was for her so before he told Abraham he asked where she was. He didn't want to know where she was exactly but rather to reassure her that he knew she was listening. The Lord promised to intervene in her life once again as he had done in Eve's. God still loved her and would use her. Sarah the aged would miraculously conceive and become Sarah the joyous mother. She would have a son and through his descendants the serpent would finally be crushed. The promise would come true and through her!

 

Her reaction? She laughed. Would we not have done the same too? God let her know that he not only heard her laugh but understood it.

 

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Genesis 18 verse 14

 

Such a fascinating chapter looking at the laws during Israel's days.

 

The stories about God's people, their failures and successes and the rules about how they are to live are meant to reveal God's plan of salvation through the coming Messiah.  Both the stories and the laws are necessary to show us who he is, what he's done and what we need to believe to live for him.

 

Chapter 5 – the worth of women in Israel’s law

 

I love the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 7.  For 12 years she was not only unclean but unwelcomed.  No hugs or kisses, not allowed into the temple to worship God.  She had such audacious faith.  But Jesus welcomed her.  He was comfortable around her.

 

Then there is the subject of divorce.  Did you realise that in Moses' day the law of divorce was brought in to protect women?  The certificate protected the woman's rights, providing evidence of her freedom and ensuring that her husband could not claim her dowry.  By providing her with this certificate the man was telling everyone the reason for the divorce - important because in those days men could abuse their power and there was no legal rights for the woman.  Remember Jesus' own mother faced the possibility of divorce.  Jesus (and Moses) did not encourage men to misuse, abandon or divorce their wives.  They were stopping men who cavalierly used women up and then jettisoned them.

 

In John 8 we read of a woman accused of adultery.  She is brought to Jesus for judgment and execution.  The Pharisees wanted to stone her.  Jesus did not condemn this woman - he knew the law that stated both a man and a woman were guilty in this instance.  Jesus refused to let sinful men condemn a sinful woman.  Jesus refused to join in their law twisting misogyny.  Today many women are frequently disciplined in ways that men avoid (in our churches!) What advice has not been given to women in particular when they speak up about their husbands.  Jesus continues to stand against this hateful twisting of God's good laws meant to protect both women and men.

 

Chapter 6 – the worth of women in Israel’s worship

 

Since reading Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher last week I have become more aware of the descriptions of individual women in the bible.  This one in 1 Samuel 1 verses 2 is notewothy - "but Hannah had no children." Her identity was wrapped up in her ability to give birth to the promised son.  I wonder what is your identity wrapped up in?  Your children?  Your home?  Your family?  Your job?  Hannah like Sarah before her had failed.  She longed to bear sons who would carry on her husband's name and thereby ensure the family's inheritance.  As a result Hannah's husband Elkanah had taken a second wife.

 

Imagine what it must have been like for Hannah every time she saw one of Peninnah's children playing on her husband's knee.  Notice that it says Elkanah loved Hannah.  He idiotically overestimated the value of his love and underestimated her devastation - verse 8.  Peninnah knew that her husband did not love her and as a result lashed out at Hannah as a result - verses 6 and 7.  Hannah's heart was broken but still she persevered on in faith.

 

Every year as part of their trip to worship in Shiloh we see Hannah's heart of worship.  Hannah had come to give herself wholly to prayer and willing sacrifice.  Verses 10 and 11 show that Hannah was very broken.  Notice how she addresses God - the Lord of hosts.  This is the first time this particular title is found in a prayer in scripture.  In doing so, she's indicating her trust in the power and dominion of God over every created force.

 

We probably all know what happened next - Eli the priest saw her and mistakenly thought she was drunk as her lips were moving but there was no sound.  Hannah's devotion stands in stark contrast to Eli's failure. He refused to rebuke his sons and honoured them above the Lord, seeking rather to please them and keep their good will.  Hannah was willing to give up the very thing she most desired out of a love for and trust in God.  Hannah's prayer was answered and God gave her a son.

 

What a reminder - God does answer our prayer.  What an example of prayer in a time of religious darkness.

 

Yesterday I posted about Hannah from 1 Samuel and in particular her prayer to God for a son.  When you look at the second chapter of 1 Samuel 2 you will see a beautiful song and it is an example of a woman's calling to worship God for his kindness in exalting both her and her kingdom.  When I read Hannah's words I am reminded of Mary and her particular song of rejoicing after she discovers she will have a child, the Messiah - Luke 1 verses 46 to 55.

 

The verse I was most drawn to is verse 3 "Talk no more exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed." Now just stop and think about that for a moment - God weighing our actions!  He knows what we plan and purpose in doing the things we do.  What about those things we get involved in that just maybe honour us more than God?  Verse 9 also says "he will keep the feet of his saints." All the places we go - God knows about them and in these words we see his protection and guidance.  If you read these 10 verses you will notice that it is a prayer of thanks - Hannah rejoices in God for his holiness, his faithfulness, his protection and his strength.  Hannah prayed this at a time when she was rejoicing in prayer being answered.  Imagine the shame she experienced all those years in not being able to have a child - now suddenly her fortunes have been reversed.  These are words of poetry and she is rejoicing in the Lord for his salvation (verse 1)

 

Jerram Barr said "There is no notice at the head of the song: For women and children only".

 

Now think for a moment what it would have been like to have been in Hannah's presence as she prayed this prayer - perhaps you could imagine it in a public prayer time.  Would your heart not rejoice with her?  I personally think this is a deep well thought out prayer from a woman who had experienced such heartache and then known the joy of God speaking directly to her and providing her with the answer she longed for.  Does this not spur you on to sit and thank God right now for all his answers to your prayers in days past?  It certainly makes me so very grateful!

 

I have been listening to Canon J John interviewing Amy Orr Ewing and in particular her book Where is God in all the suffering?  What struck me was the realisation of how my posting yesterday on Hannah from 1 Samuel resonated with what she was saying. Where was God when Hannah suffered the humiliation of not having children? I am sure emotionally and mentally it took its toll on her particularly as she watched the second wife having children. Where was God? Right there with her. He knew what she was experiencing and he answered in giving her a child. Childlessness has a stigma attached to it and even today there is that same expression not necessarily verbally but inwardly. So many people think it is because people have made a choice to wait a few years after marriage, perhaps until a house is bought or circumstances such as illness in the family is improved but sometimes it doesn't work out like that. Hannah's husband could not understand how it was for her but God knew. Where is God in the midst of what you are going through today? Right there in the middle of it. And it is not because you have done something that you cannot see an answer because Hannah was a woman of faith. How many times had she not gone into the house of God and prayed for a child? We don't know how many years she longed for a child but God knows how long your prayer has been for something and you need to keep on believing that he will answer - his timing is perfect!

 

When we think of "songs" from the bible we turn to the Psalms but there is a song recorded in Judges 5 by the prophetess Deborah which is worth considering.  Why did Deborah sing?  Because she knew that Jehovah was her mighty friend.  In the original Hebrew form the word "sang" is a feminine singular form.  This song was Deborah's alone and other people joined in.  She is the first person to employ prophetic language about the stars fighting for Israel - verse 20.  She led this time of worship because she could not restrain her joy and relief at her nation's deliverance.

 

Have you ever had such good news that you danced for joy?  Have you ever broken out into song for something that has made you so happy, perhaps plans finally coming together to fruition?  I love playing worship as I drive and admit to singing along - it is a wonderful feeling because you know that no-one but God hears!

 

When we turn to Revelation 7 verses 9 and 10 we read that the church, the bride of Christ (not the building but the physical people who have accepted his salvation for themselves) will sing in the New Earth.  No-one will tell her to turn it down or ask them to be restrained.  In fact there is no-where in the bible where women were scolded by the Lord for emotional responses to his grace.

 

Does that not make you joyful today?  Deborah rejoiced because the victory was hers and Baraks but we have even more reason to lift our voice and sing today - Christ has redeemed us and given us the riches of his salvation.

 

Which song are you singing today?

 

Chapter 8 – The worth of women in Jesus’ birth

 

In April 2009 Britain's Got Talent featured contestant Susan Boyle.  The singer introduced herself as an unemployed, unmarried 47 year old.  She lived with her cat and had never been kissed.  She aspired to be a professional singer a successful as Elaine Paige.  When she appeared on stage, the audience both laughed and cringed.  They rolled their eyes, shook their heads and covered their faces.  They winced at the disaster they assumed would soon unfold.  They could not conceive that so plain and postdated a package could contain so lovely a voice.

 

Boyle's story touched the hearts of millions.  It also exposed the superficial judgments of the broader culture.  No one expected so much from someone who looked like so little.

 

What will the kingdom of God look like?  When it is threatened, who will rescue it?  Who will be in it?  Who will proclaim it?  What does it look like to serve in it?  What kind of person comes to mind when you think of someone God uses to advance, proclaim and serve in his kingdom?

 

Think about your church.  What does spiritual growth and vitality look like? When your church is in danger, who will God use to rescue it?  Who would your ideal church include?  Who tells others about Jesus?  What does it look like to serve?  What kind of person comes to mind when you think of someone God uses to advance, proclaim and serve in his church?  Did you think of women?  You should!

 

As I read this passage I thought about the ladies in the church I attend.  Last night we had our first meeting of the new session.  The lady who came gave her testimony as well as a demonstration of how to accessorize in your dress.  I thought of her story and her presentation was the exact opposite of Susan Boyle.  Immaculately dressed, coiffed and very polished.  Yet when she spoke you realised that first impressions don't always count.  This is a women who sits in our pews just like you every Sunday but she is redeemed by God's grace.  And the ladies were so taken by her and her story.  But these are the ladies who continually turn up every week at church and they keep the church alive!  So do you!  Will you be part of the story of your church, God's church?

 

What do you think of when you think of a "woman of God"? What does she look like?  Where did she come from?  Do you think of women who have been abused or raped  Involved in incest?  Prostitution?  Women who have been publicly shamed and stigmatized as unclean and sinful?  Who are childless, barren or widowed? Who suffered horrific pain?  You should.

 

God chooses women with painful pasts to advance, proclaim, and serve in his kingdom.  We see this no more clearly than in the events leading up to and surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, the King.

 

In Genesis 3 God promised to bring redemption through "the offspring of the woman". As we wait for this promised redeemer, we "watch the woman". Each could be the mother of the Messiah.  As the Old Testament progressed, God's promise narrowed.  He promised Abraham an "offspring" who would become a great nation.  This offspring would bless all the nations of the earth - Genesis 15 and 17  Thus we look for the offspring of Abraham to come through Israel, the offspring of Abraham.  Then God promised David an "offspring" who would reign over his kingdom for ever - 2 Samuel 7 verses 12 to 16.  Thus we look for the offspring to come through David's line.

 

As the New Testament opens, Matthew labours to show us that this offspring is Jesus.  He does this by recounting Jesus' genealogy - Matthew 1 verses 1 to 17.  As the list of names unfolds, a pattern emerges.  Each moves from father to son.  Matthew interrupts that pattern 4 times before arriving at Joseph and Mary.  Each variation is significant, designed to reveal something about the King and his kingdom.  Each interruption includes a woman.  Each woman is surprising, associated with scandal and shame.  Each furthers the lineage of the promised "offspring of the woman." God uses her to advance his kingdom.

 

They are:

Tamar - Genesis 38 - prostituted herself to her father-in-law and bore twins

Rahab - Joshua 2 - a prostitute in Jericho

Ruth - a Gentile during the period of the Judges

Bathsheba - "the wife of Uriah" - raped by David

 

 God chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and the wise - 1 Corinthians 1 verses 21 - 31.

 

I have to confess that I love mindlessly scrolling ... Through this book because each page has something new to mine! It is honestly much better than scrolling through social media - anything is better than that!

 

Last night I looked at the 4 women named in Matthew's genealogy of family tree. Each one of them had an amazing story and each pointed back in history to the Old Testament. That is why I love my bible. It is so much like a jigsaw puzzle fitting pieces together and books like Worthy really make you open your bible and read for yourself these amazing stories of faith and courage despite the circumstances of individual lives.

 

I have been reading again Elizabeth's story found in Luke 1. She and her husband were 2 of the most righteous people you could have met. But they had no children, something Elizabeth bore with disgrace and insults. There would have been whispers among the neighbours. What sin had she committed for the Lord to withhold children from them?

 

God proclaimed his kingdom through grace-receiving and promise believing women. Look how Elizabeth responded - "this the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people." Luke 1 verse 25

 

The Lord had "looked upon her" - he had noticed her and showed grace. When her husband wanted to name his son Zechariah Elizabeth intervened "no he shall be called John". A confession of faith. She believed that her son would be who God said he was - a forerunner of the King.I

 

Amazing grace! Imagine the courage it took to declare that her son would be named "John". What courage she had. In a world where it is hard to speak up for Jesus can we not see through such a demonstration of faith and grace.  God was equipping Elizabeth to grow and demonstrate to everyone how good God is. God knows our situations and the times we have been hurt, when we feel like hiding away but God asks us to keep on believing in his promises. He hasn't forgotten about us and one day will give us what our hearts desire is most of all. As I read this story I was reminded of mothers who long to see their children follow them in the faith - are you one of them as I am?

 

Chapter 10 – The worth of women in Jesus’ death and resurrection

 

A woman prepared Jesus for his burial while men plotted his assassination

A woman declared the righteousness of Jesus

Women received the compassion of Jesus, even as he suffered execution

Women witnessed Jesus' suffering, death and burial

Women became the first to see, hear, touch and worship the Risen Lord

Women were the first to proclaim that Jesus was raised from the dead

 

Firstly there was Mary - the Lord praised her actions as a model of devotion for which she will be remembered whenever the Gospel is preached in all the world.  She was the one who poured oil on Jesus' head and anointed his feet wiping them with her hair.  Jesus referred to her actions as "a beautiful thing" Mark 14 verse 6.

 

The second is one you might not think about - Pontius Pilate's wife.  Remember she had a dream and warned her husband to have nothing to do with him - why - because Jesus is a "righteous man". She was not a Jew but a Gentile.  He was righteous and uncondemnable.  Christ suffered the righteous for the unrighteous - 1 Peter 1 verse 19.  When we trust in Christ we are made righteous.  This is the grounds on which God received and shows mercy to all manner of women and men whom Jesus loved.

 

As Jesus walks to the cross he shows compassion.  A "great multitude of the people and of women" followed him.  they were "mourning and lamenting for him." Jesus summons the strength and presence of mind to turn and address these women with tenderness, compassion and exemplary regard for one's neighbour over oneself - Luke 23 verses 28 to 31. "Daughters of Jerusalem do not weep for me but weep for yourselves and for your children." He also thinks of his own mother and asks John to care for her from then on.  These words and actions demonstrate Jesus' remarkable faithfulness to his people, the unfathomable depths of his compassion.  Despite their present distress he knows what is ultimate and seeks their ultimate good at his own loss.