Jezebel was a Sidonite of the Canaanites. Israelites were forbidden to marry them because they did not serve the one true God but followed after foreign gods. God warned that women had the power to lead men astray when He said, "they will turn away your sons from following me, that they may serve other gods.." (Duet.7:1-5).
Jezebel was a good illustration of the power God warned against. She usurped her husbands authority and had an innocent man murdered and I'm sure she said afterward, "I did it because I love my husband, it was for him."
Eve unintentionally led her husband astray. Behind both women was the deceitful manipulator, Satan. These women didn't understand what their power was or how to use it.
Satan is still manipulating women. Today women are being lured from their homes and responsibilities to serve mammon. Leaving their children without Godly influence or instruction and Leaving their husbands to do for themselves. Most women are aware that they are 'in demand' in the home but don't recognize that this is their power.
She is the center (or anchor), everything revolves around (or is held in place) by her and is her territory. She can claim it for the Lord and stand fast with the ferociousness of a lioness protecting her pride. And bring good tidings to her family: laughter, song, discipline, honor, value, morals, respect. Her power is, in fact, her service. To set the course of her entire family by serving them. Set the course in the Theasaurus:
Set-station, arrange, prepare, adjust, regulate, plant, appoint, solidify, start out, tend.
Course-progress, process, flow, flux, current, tide, way, path, direction, orbit, itinerary, order, conduct.
Put all together: She sets her families course. She stations her children according to their age and abilities. She arranges every flux, flow, current and tide that enters her orbit, of which, she is the center (like setting the mood). She plants her children on the correct path to insure their future and the direction that will insure the stability of the generations to come. She regulates and adjusts their needs and conduct. She solidifies their foundations and the foundation of her home. She keeps order and tends to them day and night.
The force that empowers a woman is her emotions. The power to love deeply; cry; laugh; fear; be excited and passionate. It is a woman's emotions that causes her to rise to every occasion and crisis. Her ability to love deeply is how she raises up a generation of women who know true power comes from service. Women can do their duty if they know what it is and how it helps their husband and children. They can be useful to others in need and be messengers of the "Good News" in the home or outside it. They can nurse the injured, especially if it is emotional hurt. They can cook and clean, well, in service (duty) to those they love. Women serve out of their hearts without expecting reward, unselfishly. They aren't slaves to men, but serve because they can 'serve' better than men. Women who do not work outside the home are much more empowered than women who are at the mercy of bosses and co-workers.
Sometimes women in the home feel there service is unappreciated but the one who counts knows all about their service. Jesus appreciates their calluses; swollen feet; aching muscles and sore fingers. Their tiredness that goes beyond the physical and the tears of frustration, as well as the depressions they go through when they set their goals too high. He understands their despair, their need to be held just for a moment. Their worry that their duties aren't bringing the fruition they have worked toward, and then, in the quiet of the night, they will hear....
My red fairies are courtesy of Jennifer's Favorites for Web TV and the large star is from Sheriberry FREE Graphics. The background is from Granny J's Gifs Galore. And now I shall be 'shot at sunrise' because the fireworks, falling gold sparkles and the white animated stars between paragraphs have all been in my computer for some time and I have no idea who they belong to but if you see something that is yours email me and I will give you credit and if several of you have them on your sites I'll give you all credit and put all your links on this page.
© Pondering Profound Concepts
Created: June 2000