Book Talk Thursday

Today we will begin reviewing Chapter 4: "Womanly Dominion In The Old Testament". I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this :)

The chapter begins with Elizabeth Bunyan. Sound familar? She was the second wife of John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress. Bunyan's first wife had died when he was 30 leaving him with four small children. A year later he married Elizabeth. While she was pregnant he was arrested and put in prison for refusing to not preach. During this trial she miscarried. While her husband was in prison, she went to the authorities and pleaded with them to release her husband. She didn't sit back. She was a woman of dominion who boldly subdued and ruled, even in this stressful, difficult situation.

Mr. Chanski writes about six women of dominion in the Old Testament. This week we will take a look at the first, Sarah.

Sarah is described in the book of Genesis as a very beautiful woman. Sarah is given as an example for us women in 1 Peter 3:3-6:
"Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror."
Sarah was a woman who faced her fears head on. In Genesis 12:5 Sarah's husband, Abraham was called by God to uproot and move from their home in Ur to the land of Canaan. She courageously went. "Here is the tonic for the devastated high school-aged daughter whose father's job transfer to another state will painfully uproot her from precious friends and activities. Providence brings to women all manner of causes for fear and trembling" (Chanski, page 65).

Sarah also dealt with bearing a child, Isaac, at the age of 90! She longed for a child for many years and at this old age God gave her a son. "Imagine that, dear forty-something reader, who may find yourself unexpectedly pregnant!" (Chanski, page 65)
"Then upon birthing this specially loved boy and nurturing him toward manhood, providence conspired to brutally snatch him from Sarah's embrace. God called father Abraham to sacrifice their son on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:1-8)" (Chanski, page 65).
Chanski describes what loving mothers go through as "fearful heart piercings". He writes "Godly mothering isn't for cowards!" It is much more than having a meek and quiet spirit.

Next week we will take a look at Zelophehad's Daughters.