He is our Comfort

Whenever we go through unpleasant situations, someone to comfort us and empathize with what we have experienced is just what we need. No one who goes through an unpleasant experience desires to have a nagging fellow blaming them for their own painful experiences. Even if one is directly or indirectly the cause of their own suffering, the best one can offer is a shoulder to lean on and words of comfort. Comfort is a state of freedom from pain or to alleviate one’s feeling of grief or distress. From physical discomforts to emotional discomfort, the cause of discomfort can range from what is seen to what is unseen.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:1‬)

In the Old Testament, the Israelites faced a series of discomforts from different ways. As God’s chosen people, whenever they faulted and served foreign gods, they were left by God to the surrounding nations. In this state, they experienced pain and suffering associated with their rejection of God. Then when they cried to the Lord, He would send them a helper to save them from their discomforts. In one of Isaiah’s prophecies to the people of Israel, he beheld a season of comfort for Jerusalem. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:1‭-‬2‬ ‭admonishes that, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.”

This prophecy was not just for the momentarily but also for the future. Isaiah foresaw a period where Jerusalem (or God’s chosen people) will experience the comfort of God. A period where the sins of the nations that led them to the period of discomfort will be paid for. A time of peace and tranquility where the real comfort of God will overshadow the pains and the suffering of the present. As Isaiah spoke these words, the people looked forward to such a time where all their enemies would be crushed under their feet and they would rejoice over the destruction of their enemies. As the people eagerly waited for this period, God’s plan to comfort His people was perfected through the birth of a Son.

Jesus’ birth was to culminate God’s promise made to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The pain of death and the overbearing pressure of sin was ultimately taken away through His death and resurrection. God, through Jesus, comforted humanity and brought us hope for the future. In ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3‭-‬4‬, Paul writes that, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

This Christmas, be intentional to be an agent of comfort. Many people are going through difficult times and they need the comfort of God to survive this holiday. Be generous enough to share with others the comfort of the Lord. Indeed, He is our Comfort and the world needs to know this. David knew this and in Psalms 23:4, he wrote this: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Don’t be dismayed, He is your Comfort!

The woman, the child and the dragon

The Book of Revelation, the final chapter of the Bible, unveils an intricate narration of apocalyptic visions that foretell cataclysmic events marking the end of the world. Its pages are filled with powerful imagery, symbols, and metaphors that offer profound insights into the Christian worldview regarding the signs of the end times. Within this complex narrative, Revelation 12 takes center stage, narrating a compelling story of a woman, her son, and a menacing dragon. While this story may initially appear cryptic and enigmatic, a deeper understanding of the symbols used sheds light on its significance in the Christian faith.

A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭12:1‬)

Deciphering the Symbols
Revelation 12 opens with a grand spectacle in heaven, a “great sign” that captivates our attention. This celestial scene features:

The Woman: Clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars, she symbolizes the nation of Israel. This image harkens back to the dream of Joseph in Genesis 37, where the sun, moon, and stars represented his family members, signifying the nation of Israel. Additional support for this interpretation can be found in verses such as Isaiah 54:1-6 and Hosea 2:19-20.

The Dragon: A menacing figure with seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns, symbolizing Satan, the ancient adversary of God and His people.

The Son: The male child born to the woman is unmistakably Jesus. Revelation 12:5 describes Him as the one who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” This portrayal finds its roots in Psalm 2:9, a Messianic Psalm emphasizing Christ’s divine authority and reign.

The Angel Michael: Michael, the head of the angelic host, plays a pivotal role in the battle against the dragon and his angels in heaven.

The Offspring of the Woman: Representing the Gentiles who turn to the Lord, these are the believers from the nations. Revelation 12:17 refers to them as “those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”

A Cosmic Struggle
The narrative of Revelation 12 unfolds as a cosmic struggle, with the woman giving birth to a son, only for the dragon to threaten the child. This imagery symbolizes the spiritual battle Jesus faced, beginning with His birth and extending throughout His life. It is a portrayal of the ongoing enmity between the forces of good and evil, represented by Christ and Satan.

The child’s ascension to God and His throne signifies Jesus’s triumphant resurrection and return to His rightful place in heaven. However, this victory does not mark the end of the spiritual battle. Revelation 12:13 tells us that “the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring,” signifying the continued hostility of the devil toward believers.

A Struggle That Persists
The woman, her son, and the rest of her offspring (the Church universal) have historically been the targets of the dragon’s attacks. The battle endures as believers face persecution and opposition in different regions worldwide. In some places, believing in Jesus is even considered a criminal act. The dragon’s pursuit of the woman underscores the ongoing spiritual conflict experienced by followers of Christ.

The Certainty of Victory
Although the battle rages on, believers can find assurance in the ultimate outcome. Victory belongs to the Lord. Understanding the dynamics of this spiritual warfare calls for believers to put on the full armour of God, as described in Ephesians 6. Armed with this knowledge, they can face adversity with unwavering hope, for the victor mentality prevails. In the midst of opposition, the words of the Lord offer encouragement and a reminder that ultimate triumph rests with Him.

Revelation 12, with its rich symbolism and spiritual depth, beckons believers to grasp the profound significance of the ongoing spiritual battle and the ultimate victory found in Christ. It invites them to walk with confidence, knowing that, in the end, the dragon’s fury cannot overcome the promise of God’s triumph.

Sarah and Hagar: Pictures in the New Testament

Two women from the Old Testament who have greatly influenced world religion are Sarah and Hagar. We looked at Sarah and Hagar and considered their stories at the beginning of the studies into the lives of the women in the Bible. Like many of the women recorded in the Bible, Sarah and Hagar’s stories remind us of the struggles of many women across the world. In Sarah’s bid to get a child for her husband at all cost, Hagar was given to Abraham and the birth of Ishmael (by Hagar) and later Isaac (by Sarah) brought a generational conflict between the descendents of the two. Till date, the world still faces the outcome of Sarah and Abraham’s decision. Apostle Paul, writing to the church in Galatia used the stories of Sarah and Hagar to explain two covenants.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. (Galatians 4:22)

The church in Galatia received the apostolic letter from Paul in response to some agitators who infiltrated the ranks of the church challenging Paul and his teaching. Paul expounded on the fact that Jesus Christ was God’s plan of redemption and that the call of Abraham and the subsequent selection of Israel was all part of God’s bigger plan of redemption. As Paul made his arguments, he brought into the story two prominent matriarchs in the history of Israel and world religion at large. Paul stated that, “Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.” (Galatians 4:21‭-‬23). Why would Sarah and Hagar be relevant in Paul’s message? Paul explained that, “These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.” (Galatians 4:24‭-‬26).

Thus, Sarah and Hagar represent two covenants: a physical covenant and a spirit covenant. Hagar represents the physical manifestation of sonship. The union between Abraham and Hagar was not in the perfect will of God. Therefore, although Hagar still bore a son for Abraham, Isaac, the son of Sarah, was the one God referred to as “your only son, whom you love—Isaac—” (Genesis 22:2). God’s promise of redemption was fulfilled through the seed of Isaac. Paul alludes Hagar as the reflection of the old covenant, the covenant that “bears children who are to be slaves” (Galatians 4:24). There are many people who still hold on to the covenant from Mount Sinai. They consider the election of Israel but fail to see that Jesus was the full culmination of God’s redemption plan. Such people are still slaves to sin and fear. The punishment of the Law still hangs around their necks. However, Sarah and her seed represents “the result of a divine promise” (Galatians 4:23). Sarah represents redemption and hope.

Even as we consider Sarah and Hagar as figurative of these two covenants, it is important we check the state of our allegiance. Is our hope built on Christ’s finished works on the cross or on our own strengths? By our own strength, we can never match up to the standards of God. Jesus paid the full price on the cross so that we become sons of God through divine adoption.

Gomer: The wife of Hosea

The unfaithfulness of the people of God and God’s love and mercy for them even in their unfaithfulness is a big theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation. The book of Hosea symbolizes this theme through the life and ministry of Hosea. As a prophet of God, Hosea was the mouthpiece of God and He revealed to the people God’s words and God’s ways. Hosea lived during the reigns of four kings of Judah and one king of Israel. The unfaithfulness of the people to God had resulted in several prophecies on how God intended to remove them from their lands. However, God also revealed His promise of restoration. Hosea’s marriage and children became signs and messages to the people.

So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. (Hosea 1:3)

Hosea 1:2 states that, “When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” Thus, Hosea’s marriage was to be a symbol of the unfaithfulness of the people to God. Hosea obeyed God and he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son (Hosea 1:3). Through the word of God, the son was named Jezreel because God was going to soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel (Hosea 1:4‭-‬5). Gomer had another daughter and the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.” (Hosea 1:6‭-‬7). Gomer had another son and the Lord said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God.” (Hosea 1:9).

Gomer and her children were symbolic of the state of Israel and Judah. Gomer represented the unfaithful people of God and Hosea represented the faithful God. Gomer’s unfaithfulness to Hosea did not cease after marriage. In fact, she left to follow another man and the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” (Hosea 3:1). Through this God showed that although the people had turned away from Him, He still loved them and was willing to go after the sinful people just to show them His love.

Hosea had to buy back his wife from the arms of another man. Hosea 3:2-3 states that Hosea bought Gomer back for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Hosea told Gomer, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” Just like Gomer was redeemed by Hosea, the sinner has been redeemed with the priceless blood of Jesus. It cost God the life of His only begotten Son to pay the ransom for our sins. Yet we all, like Gomer, keep moving from the arms of Hosea (God) to the hands of another man (sin).

One of the goals of the book of Hosea is to cause the people to return to God. Hosea 6:1-2 states that “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” And God on His part says to His people, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6). Israel was admonished to “sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12). It is time for us to return to the Lord!

Oholah and Oholibah: The two adulterous sisters

The book of Ezekiel is full of different imagery depicting the state of the nation’s of Israel and Judah. Women were mentioned in different places referring to real women such as the enchantresses or women depicting the character of societies. All throughout scripture, the people of God have been given feminine attributes and are sometimes referred as the bride of God, the bride of Christ, daughters of God, daughters of Zion among many others. These feminine attributes include positive characteristics such as compassion, empathy, caring, loving,respectful, appreciative etc. However, some of the feminine depictions of the people of God demonstrate characters that show the weaknesses of the females. For example, we see greed, susceptibility, physical and emotional weakness among many others. Two such feminine depictions are mentioned in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 23:1 states this: “The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed.”

The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 23:4)

The verses 2-3 of Ezekiel 23 explain the moral state of these women: they were prostitutes. These women were born by one mother and their moral decadence was the same. Their prostitution was done in Egypt. The verse reveals this truth: “The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.” These women are not nameless. Oholah and Oholibah were daughters of the most high God. This revelation implies that the book is referring to symbolic daughters. Oholah and Oholibah refer to the nation’s of Israel and Judah. The very detailed description of their prostitution in Ezekiel 23:5-23 shows how the nations of Israel and Judah forsook God and chased after all the foreign gods in the lands they dwelt. They lusted after gods without power. They defiled themselves with the high and mighty. Oholah’s sin led to her deliverance to the Assyrians. The Assyrians stripped her naked, took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her (Ezekiel 23:10).

Even with all these, her sister Oholibah was not moved. She even carried her prostitution further to the Assyrians, the Chaldeans, the Babylonians. Then a prophecy was given against Oholibah: “For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to deliver you into the hands of those you hate, to those you turned away from in disgust. They will deal with you in hatred and take away everything you have worked for. They will leave you stark naked, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed. Your lewdness and promiscuity have brought this on you, because you lusted after the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. You have gone the way of your sister; so I will put her cup into your hand.” (Ezekiel 23:28‭-‬31). The detestable practices of Oholah and Oholibah attracted God’s judgement. In Ezekiel 24:36-39, The Lord said to Ezekiel: “Son of man, will you judge Oholah and Oholibah? Then confront them with their detestable practices, for they have committed adultery and blood is on their hands. They committed adultery with their idols; they even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to me, as food for them. They have also done this to me: At that same time they defiled my sanctuary and desecrated my Sabbaths. On the very day they sacrificed their children to their idols, they entered my sanctuary and desecrated it. That is what they did in my house.”

If we are appalled by Oholah and Oholibah, imagine God! As much as we might want to condemn these two symbolic sisters, we should reflect on our own lives as believers. Has anything taken the place of God in our lives? Do we care more about things of the world as compared with the things of God? Do we desire or even covet the “gods” of the world? God doesn’t want us to lack, but He warns us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). If God is not enough for us, nothing will satisfy our insatiable needs. If our desire is to be like others and attain things, we might be drawn away from God and drawn towards those things we crave for. Satisfaction and contentment in God is relevant for our Christian journey.

The mother who ate her son because of famine

Women are naturally considered as possessing the following traits: sensitive, sweetness, nurturing, gentleness, supportive, calmness, expressive  affection, empathy  tenderness, being emotional, kind, kind, helpful, devoted among many others. These traits are mostly revealed in females and although we have individual differences, most women will likely possess two or more of these traits. The compassion of a mother towards their child is so much expressed in different cultures that in some cultures of the world, God is attributed with motherly qualities that show his deep love and care for His children.  The Bible also shares some of the attributes of God using feminine metaphors. For example, Isaiah 49: 15 compares God to a very committed nursing mother: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
Isaiah 66:13 presents a metaphor of God comforting His people just as a mother comforts her child: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”
These verses among many others show God’s love, care, compassion, comfort, protection etc. revealed in feminine metaphors. On a daily basis, we experience mothers who go all out to ensure the sustenance of their children. No wonder mother’s day is highly patronized and celebrated across the world. For most people who grew up in broken homes, their mothers were the pillars of their lives.

As the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried to him, “Help me, my Lord the king!” (2 Kings 6:26)

Thus, it is highly unlikely that a mother would suddenly become so mean, cruel and wicked to her own children. But, it is possible and on daily basis, some mothers are charged with child abuse claims. The Bible records the story of famine in Israel and its consequences. The Aramean king  Ben-Hadad mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege to Samaria. Samaria was the capital of Israel (Northern Kingdom and Jerusalem was the capital of Judah ( Southern Kingdom). This siege brought a great famine in the city. The siege lasted so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a cab of seed pods for five shekels (see 2 Kings 6:24‭-‬25). Thus, everyone was affected. In a similar incident of famine (commanded by Elijah) we saw the widow of Zarephath concerned about her life and that of her son. However, in this famine, we have different types of women. Two women planned to kill and eat their sons in order to survive the hunger. What! They went ahead and killed the first son and ate him. But, the second woman was unwilling to release her own son to be eaten. The king of Israel passed by the wall and the woman whose son was eaten cried to the king, “Help me, my Lord the king!” (2 Kings 6:26). The king replied, “If the Lord does not help you, where can I get help for you? From the threshing floor? From the winepress?” (2 Kings 6:27). The king thought the woman was looking for food. 

Then the king asked her, “What’s the matter?” The woman answered, “This woman said to me, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him today, and tomorrow we’ll eat my son.’ So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, ‘Give up your son so we may eat him,’ but she had hidden him” (2 Kings 6:28-29). The king was appalled by these words, and he tore his robes. What type of a mother eats up her son? What sort of wickedness is this? When did this woman lose all her traits of feminine and human sense and turned to a cannibal? Was she the only mother going through the famine? What type of woman was she? What type of friend was she keeping? Was she mentally stable? We could go on asking different questions as to why a mother had the courage to do this barbaric and wicked act to her own son. This woman was living in a war zone like many others, her source of livelihood was taken and the city was shut. The armies of Aram made it impossible for anything to enter or leave Samaria. In this state of extreme lack and vulnerability, this woman and her friend planned and performed a barbaric act that could potentially lead them to be ostracized from the society. They lost every respect and their statuses as mothers were questioned.

What will cause people to be so helpless and vain to the extent of eating their own children? For the people of Israel, they had a covenant with God and breaking this covenant made them susceptible to commit some of the heinous sins of the neighboring nations. Leviticus 26:14-46 lists some punishments for the disobeying God. Leviticus 26:27-29 states this: “ If in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me, then in my anger I will be hostile toward you, and I myself will punish you for your sins seven times over. You will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters.” Thus, the woman’s action reflected the evil of the wider society. 

But, we should take note, whenever you are at your lowest point, be careful of what you say, where you go, what you do and who you talk to. Don’t allow yourself to be at the mercy of the law because you failed to control your emotions. Hunger is real, but no hunger should necessitate that you kill to eat. Be open and ask for help when possible.  No murderer, thief or wicked person had a place in Heaven (Revelation 22:15). If your condition has caused you to become accustomed to sinful acts, a clarion call is being made to you today. 

The slave girl and Naaman’s wife: A testimony of love and compassion

Whenever we are hurt or maltreated by the actions of the people around us, our first response is to feel bad and feel bitterness towards those that hurt us. In fact, it takes another level of maturity to go to the one who made life miserable for you and let the person know that you have forgotten them from the depth of your heart. Forgiveness does not come easily because the presence of the person or people who caused you the pain, is a constant reminder. As believers, we have been shown the greatest love and mercy. Our sins were forgiven and paid for by the astonishing sacrifice of God’s own Son (Romans 3:24; Romans 6:23). Therefore, we are able to demonstrate God-kind of love to others because God first loved us (1 John 4:19, 21). The message of the salvation of God was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament. This post will focus on two women who, though from different cultures, religious backgrounds and moral upbringing, came together and experienced a perfect miracle. Their combined efforts brought salvation (healing) to a mighty man with a mighty skin problem. 

Israel had lots of enemy nations and one of these was Aram. In the past, it was common to see raiders from enemy nations invading into another territory to steal, kill and destroy. Does that ring a bell? (see John 10:10). They also take the young people as captives and the old, weak and feeble ones are either left behind or killed. So, bands of raiders from Aram invaded an Israelite city, took captive a young girl from Israel. She became a servant in the house of Naaman, serving Naaman’s wife (2 Kings 5:2). Naaman was no ordinary person, he was commander of the army of the king of Aram. Thus, he was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded. Through him the Lord had given victory to Aram and he was a valiant soldier. But, Naaman had an unusual skin disease. He had leprosy (2 Kings 5:1). He was so mighty but yet vulnerable. The slave girl from Israel could have felt pain and resentment towards Naaman and his family. She could have concluded that Naaman’s leprosy was a curse from God for the evil Naaman had committed against Israel. She could have cursed Naaman and his family and released the punishment of God upon them. Afterall, that is our first response when we are hurt. She was wrongfully taken from her parents and turned into a slave. Ah! She had every right to pay Naaman and the Arameans back for their sins.

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:2‭-‬3)

On the contrary, this slave girl said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy” (2 Kings 5:3). She wanted her master cured. She desired to see her master’s skin restored to normal. Naaman’s wife did not consider it disrespectful for her slave girl to talk about her husband’s health condition. Naaman’s wife knew that the gods of the Arameans are not the same as the God of Israel. She knew that going down to Israel for healing automatically implied that the God of Israel is far more powerful than the gods in Aram. Mrs. Naaman did not delay. She informed her husband about the possibility of being healed in Israel. Her husband informed the king of Aram whose response was this: “By all means, go” and “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing (2 Kings 5:5). When the convoy from Aram arrived in the Palace of the king of Israel, the king of Israel was confused. He didn’t even believe that there was a prophet of God in the land who was powerful enough to pray for the healing of Naaman. The king of Israel’s faith was not as strong as that of the king of Aram, Naaman, the slave girl and Naaman’s wife. The king of Israel tore his robes after reading the letter and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (2 Kings 5:7).

When the prophet Elisha heard this, he requested for Naaman to be sent to him. Elisha did not even leave his house to speak with Naaman. Just as Naaman commanded an army, Elisha commanded the power of God. Elisha sent a messenger to say to Naaman, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed” (2 Kings 5:10). Initially,  Naaman hesitated but after being convinced by his servants, he obeyed the words of Elisha. Naaman went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy (2 Kings 5:14). Naaman’s miracle was initiated by the slave girl, heralded by the wife, Naaman’s faith took him to the king of Aram and the king’s word took him to Israel. The women players in this massive miracle show that God is able to use anyone no matter your location and status (slave or freed) to perform wonders. The slave girl had experienced pain and hurt from Aram, but she paid back with love and compassion. At the end of the day, the pagan commander came to know and experience the God of Israel. Naaman’s response was this: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel” (2 Kings 5:15).

Bitterness is cancerous. It zaps the soul and opens up the believer for demonic manipulation. When you forgive, you free yourself for greater works. Be merciful for you have been shown mercy. 

Naamah and Maakah: Royal wives

The family line of David ultimately became the rulers of Judah. Our previous post mentioned the division of the kingdom into two. The Southern Kingdom consisting of Judah and Benjamin remained committed to the house of David. The family line of David produced women who either worked for the successful reigns of their husbands or worked against the reigns of their husbands. Because of the marriage pattern of Solomon, women from other nations were introduced to the royal family. These different women brought along with them their religion and their gods. Most of these women had lived experiences of wickedness and managed to extend their evil into the lives of God’s people. In both the Southern and Northern Kingdoms, women from other nations who were married into the royal family fueled idolatry and became personal sponsors of the worship of foreign gods. In this post, we shall consider two women: Naamah and Maakah.

Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite. (1 Kings 14:21)

Solomon’s thousand women included an Ammonite Princess known as Naamah. The Ammonite wife of Solomon was a worshipper of Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. Solomon in his quest to satisfy his wives built a high place for Molek in Jerusalem (see 1 King 11). Naamah gave birth to Rehoboam who succeeded Solomon. 1 Kings 14:21 states that “Rehoboam son of Solomon was king in Judah. He was forty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name. His mother’s name was Naamah; she was an Ammonite.” Rehoboam’s refusal to listen to the words of counsel from the elders was the trigger to the division of the kingdom. Naamah’s religion would have been known to Rehoboam. He might have followed his mother to offer sacrifices to Molek.

and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom. (1 Kings 15:2)

Another woman who became influential and ultimately led the people astray is Maakah. She was the wife of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11: 20-22) and the daughter of Abishalom (variant of Absalom). Maakah was the mother of Abijah, the successor of Rehoboam. Her son Abijah reigned for only three years in Jerusalem (1 Kings 15:2). 2 Chronicles 11:20‭-‬22 gives more details about Maakah: “Then he [Rehoboam] married Maakah daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. Rehoboam loved Maakah daughter of Absalom more than any of his other wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maakah as crown prince among his brothers, in order to make him king.” Maakah was the beloved wife of Rehoboam and because of his love for Maakah, Rehoboam made Maakah’s son the heir. Unfortunately, Abijah’s short reign was a culmination of evil and wickedness. Abijah might have been influenced greatly by his mother Maakah who was into idolatry. 

and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother’s name was Maakah daughter of Abishalom.1 Kings 15:10 NIV

When Maakah’s grandson Asa became the king, he changed the narrative. Unlike his father Abijah, “Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done” (1 Kings 15:11). Asa did something his father Abijah couldn’t do. Asa deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley (1 Kings 15:13). Thus, the evil worship of Asherah was fueled by Maakah. 

Naamah and Maakah were women of influence but their religious orientation led the people of Israel away from God. They welded power, control and support of their husbands and used that power to promote the worship of other gods. Both Molek and Asherah were detestable gods and promoted vile and wicked lifestyles. 

Whoever you marry will ultimately become your ministry partner. If you marry a man or woman on fire for God, you become a man or woman on fire for God. If you marry someone who is cold and lacks passion for the things of God, you might end up cold and without passion for the things of God. If you marry a worshipper of idols, your entire generation and beyond would be baptized into idolatry until there is a saviour. Choose wisely… marriage is not for fun, it is for life or death!

The wife of Jeroboam: The bearer of bad news

The nation of Israel was divided into two after the death of Solomon. Rehoboam’s refusal to listen to the wise men but take instructions from his fellows led to the division (1 Kings 12). Prior to that God had warned Solomon that as a result of his apostasy, the kingdom will be divided (1 Kings 11:11). The two kingdoms that came out of the nation of Israel were the Southern Kingdom consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the Northern Kingdom consisting of the other ten tribes. Rehoboam ruled the Southern Kingdom which was referred to as Judah in the Bible. Jeroboam, the rebel leader, ruled over the Northern Kingdom which was referred to as Israel in the Bible. Jeroboam was a wicked king. He did so much evil that his name became the household name for apostasy throughout the history of Israel. What was Jeroboam’s apostasy? He made  two golden calves and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” He set up one in Bethel, and the other in Dan. The people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other. He built shrines on high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people, even though they were not Levites (see 1 Kings 12:28‭-‬31).

and Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go, disguise yourself, so you won’t be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam. Then go to Shiloh. Ahijah the prophet is there—the one who told me I would be king over this people. (1 Kings 14:2)

With such a track record, Jeroboam was definitely not in good standing with God. God through his prophet declared the doom of Jeroboam. In the course of time, Jeroboam’s son Abijah became ill. Then Jeroboam said to his wife, “Go, disguise yourself, so you won’t be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam. Then go to Shiloh. Ahijah the prophet is there—the one who told me I would be king over this people.” (1 Kings 14:2). Jeroboam’s wife was commissioned to inquire from the prophet. This woman knew the state of her husband’s heart and evil things he had done. She was sent to inquire from the same God her husband had rejected by making idols for the people. Of all the people she could have been sent to, she was sent to a prophet who truly hears from God. As a mother, Jeroboam’s wife might have had concerns for her son. He was dying and needed to be helped. The woman embarked on this journey hoping to get answers. She didn’t know what was in store for her. Even before she arrived at the house of Prophet Ahijah, the Lord prompted the prophet of her visit and told him what to say to her.

Prophet Ahijah was blind but as soon as Jeroboam’s wife got to the door of the prophet, the prophet called her and asked, “why this pretense?” Before the woman could state her mission, the prophet told her that the kingdom will be taken away from her husband. Further, Ahijah told her that “As for you, go back home. When you set foot in your city, the boy will die. All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the Lord, the God of Israel, has found anything good.” (1 Kings 14:12‭-‬13). Jeroboam’s wife was sent as the bearer of bad news: the death of her son and an end to their family’s reign over Israel. She left the house of the prophet carrying bad news. She might have been horrified and scared. She knew the power in the words of Ahijah. She got up and went to Tirzah. 1 Kings 14:17-18 states that “as soon as she stepped over the threshold of the house, the boy died. They buried him, and all Israel mourned for him, as the Lord had said through his servant the prophet Ahijah.”

The wife of Jeroboam witnessed the massive apostasy of her husband. She lived in the Palace and saw the name of God brought low and evil reigning in the hearts of the people. She experienced and possibly worshipped her husband’s idols. She was a source of authority and a leader but together with her husband, they led a whole nation to sin. Even if she might not have publicly declared it, she abandoned God just as all the others who worshipped Jeroboam’s idols. There are many things we seem to do with good intentions but they are evil in the sight of God. If we fail to point out evil, the consequences of the sinful acts of others would befall on all people including the silent watchers.