Women For God

by R. Darke, Vancouver. B.C. | Category: General | May 1967

There are some remarkable things said about the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. She was a willing worker living a full, busy life, and there appeared to be no limit to the hours she laboured; she was kind to the poor and needy, and a generous provider for her own household; she was a wise woman and gave good counsel; and she was respected greatly by her family. Of her it is written for all eternity, "... her price is far above rubies," (v.10); "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all" (v.29). All Christian women who follow her example can also expect worthy commendation from the Lord.

Some of the wonderful characteristics manifested by the virtuous woman are seen in the godly lives of dear souls such as Martha and Mary, and Dorcas and the widow with the two mites. For instance, the widow gave; and although the Temple and its treasury have passed away, her sacrifice is recorded for all eternity in the Lord's words, "but she... cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12.44). Mary brought, and although her alabaster cruse has long since disappeared, yet "that... which this woman hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her" (Mark 14.9). Dorcas made, and although the garments which came from her busy hands have now been worn out, or have been consumed by moths, yet nothing can erase the scriptural tribute that "this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did" (Acts 9.36). And although busy Martha has come in for much criticism by preacher and writer as they have contrasted her with Mary sitting at the Lord's feet, yet we must not overlook the eternal commendation paid to her by the Spirit through John, that "Martha served" (12.2). Doing and giving for the Lord seem to be keynotes in the lives of these wonderful women, and their Christian virtues are worthy of imitation.

To be engaged in busy service for the Lord and others, seems to have been characteristic of Martha, and this is a most commendable quality. However, she was much misunderstood. Martha was the one who welcomed the Lord into the house at Bethany as the gracious host (Luke 10.38), and she was also the one who went to meet Him and bring Him to the house when Lazarus died (John 11.20). "But Mary still sat in the house" (v.20). The habit of being busy might easily have been developed early in the life of Martha. Someone in the family has to bear the load, and Martha seems to have been better equipped for this than her sister Mary. This order of things is often repeated in family and assembly life, and it is good for us all to know what our work is, and to do it.

Mary was not indolent, and the Lord commends her for sitting devotedly at His feet to hear His word. "For Mary hath chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10.42), He did not say, the best part, or the better part, but the good part. Martha's service was needful and helpful, but when she became distracted, and anxious, and troubled about many things, she left herself no time for the good part, which was to sit at the Lord's feet. How important it is to keep things in perspective, and to be balanced in our Christian service!

The things we do and how we do them, can influence others or be criticized by them. This was Mary's experience when she broke her alabaster cruse of ointment and used it wholly for the Lord (Mark 14). Its fragrance left none untouched as it permeated the room in the house at Bethany that day. It would linger long on the Person of the Lord, and Mary and the disciples would carry with them precious odour for many, many hours after they left the home. Would this not raise questionings from those they met on the way? Would they not be asked to explain the reason for the fragrance? And what a story they would be able to tell of this memorable incident! Some of the disciples were indignant and reproachful as they murmured against Mary. Did she reproach them? No, this was left to the Lord to deal with, "Let her alone", He said, "why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me... She hath done what she could: she hath anointed My body aforehand for the burying" (vv. 6,7,8). What a rebuke! and it came more effectively from the Lord than it ever could come from

Mary. In like circumstance it might also be better for us to remain silent in the face of unwarranted criticism, and leave the Lord to act on our behalf. Wise King Solomon can teach us a dual lesson here. From the standpoint of the murmurers, "Be not rash with thy mouth" (Ecclesiasties 5.2), and from Mary's standpoint, there is "a time to keep silence" (3.7). There is also something to be learned from Mary's quiet spirit of subjection. She did not speak one word during the whole proceedings. She is not remembered for what she said, but for what she did.

This is also true of Dorcas and the widow with the mites. There is no record of spoken words, but how loud their actions speak! They did not aspire to be women preachers, but their manner of life made them women teachers. One has truly said, "Thunder what you are for I cannot hear what you say". Dorcas's name means gazelle; a quiet, gentle creature, so very careful in its walk. This seemed to typify the life of this dear woman who was linked with the early church. She was a practical Christian, and it is written for all eternity that "this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did" (Acts 9.36). The Lord said that what Mary did would be spoken of for a memorial of her, and this seems also to be true of Dorcas. If any sisters in churches of God today are at a loss to know what to do for the Lord, they will surely find in Dorcas a life worth imitating.

It is interesting to notice in connexion with the widow, with her minute gift for the treasury, that Mark tells us that the Lord "beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury". Were some casual and careless; and others boastful and daring? May God save His people from any such symptoms as we give our material gifts to Him! The Spirit will guide us as to what we should give, and how we should give it. On the Lord's day morning we should not carelessly or disinterestedly drop our gift, large or small, into the box, but rather we should give cheerfully, and intelligently unto Him. How important it is to realise that the Lord beholds how His people give. This "poor widow", as Mark twice describes her, reveals to us the secret of the life of faith. She gave all that she had, even all her living (v.44). She did not think of herself first, and give to God what was left over. She did not consider keeping anything back to provide for the morrow. She was so utterly dependent upon God that she was able to give to Him all that she had, confessing almost like King David, "All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee" (1 Chronicles 29.14). This one action of the widow truly speaks louder than words.

May the Lord help us all to learn from these four wonderful women, to give, to bring, to make, to serve and "whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord..." (Colossians 3.23).

R. Darke, Vancouver. B.C. | May 1967
General