Mary: Be it unto me according to thy word

Mary was going through her usual day when she received a visit from the angel Gabriel. The message from the angel was quite ‘huge’ for the young woman. Heaven has favoured Mary and God has appointed her for a special assignment. The assignment given to this virgin was to conceive and give birth to a son. This son is no ordinary son for “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:33‭-‬33). Mary might have been in total shock. Why will God choose her to have a son when she was still a virgin?

Mary asked the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). I would have asked a similar question. Why will God choose me? Don’t we ask ourselves similar questions when we are called for a task we believe is greater than we can handle? Even Zachariah, Elizabeth’s husband asked a similar question when the angel told him that his wife will have a son: “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18). Unfortunately for Zachariah, he missed the past case studies of Abraham and Sarah (and many more in the OldTestament). He was a priest and was expected to know more. The angel shut him down for nine months. He became mute.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:38 KJV)

Angel Gabriel’s reply to Mary’s question was this: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.” (Luke 1:35‭-‬36). As young and innocent as Mary was, she did not argue with the angel. In all readiness and preparedness she said: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38). Mary knew that this huge task will bring unto her challenges from every direction including rejection by family, possible divorce by Joseph, societal ostracization among other challenges including death. Mary did not ask the angel for time to think about it. She did not ask for a sign. She did not even ask about how the child will be catered for in case her family and Joseph reject her.

Mary was not anxious about many things. She did not ask the angel to tell God to send someone else like Moses did. She did not put God to test like Gideon. She did not even prepare a sacrifice like Manoah and his wife (Samson’s parents). Mary’s response to her assignment showed a total dependence on God. The Message Bible states Luke 1:38 this way: “And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her.” Mary was ready to serve right away. She was ready for the full package of God’s agenda. She knew that the task was huge but she also knew that for God to find her worthy of the task, God will definitely make all things possible for the completion of this task.

Maybe, you are not sure how God’s call on your life will be achieved considering your current situation. Instead of worrying about things YOU cannot change, make it a priority to prepare YOURSELF and position YOURSELF for the assignment. Don’t just be there… be proactive in adding value to yourself. Heaven will make a way for you to get to the destination, but like Mary, you must uphold your purity, and be ready to say, “I’m the Lord’s servant, ready to serve.”

Mary: The highly favoured woman

Imagine confronting a supernatural being and being told that something which is an impossibility will be happening to you. What will be your first reaction? For many of us, we will be awed by the presence of this supernatural being. Some will scream in fear and some will probably faint from fear. I am not sure how angelic beings presented themselves to people in the New Testament period. Most times creators of children’s Bible stories present a shiny figure with wings. Irrespective of how they presented themselves, their presence alone made the people startled. Young Mary was betrothed to Joseph and this betrothal was considered as binding the couple together. Thus, breaking the betrothal was considered a divorce. Mary and Joseph might have been looking forward to their wedding day. They probably had plans for the ceremony and their lives after the ceremony.

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)

God had a bigger task for Mary. This task was so huge that Mary’s life was going to be changed forever. Elizabeth and Zachariah had received their miracle pregnancy. In the timing of God, Elizabeth’s son was to be born first and be the voice that will prepare the way for Mary’s son. Therefore in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to Mary, a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:26‭-‬28). This was no ordinary greeting. Mary was living in the small town of Galilee but she had been favoured by heaven for a task that will transform the world forever.

The young Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be (Luke 1:29). The NLT version of Luke 1:29 states Mary was “confused and disturbed” about the meaning of this greeting. As a young virgin, she least expected what the favour could lead to. Many of us in the same age as Mary would be looking forward to the angel telling us how God has lifted us from our lowly estate to give us the princess lifestyle we craved as teenagers. Heaven had found Mary worthy and has favoured her for the world’s most singular honour shown to a woman. The angel seeing the confused and disturbed Mary said to her:
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30‭-‬33).

In the 21st century, hearing this might sound so “cool” but not in Mary’s day. Getting pregnant for another person while betrothed to another is considered adultery and Mary could be stoned for that. Again, Mary could be rejected and divorced by Joseph. Society might ostracize her and even her own family can reject her for the shame. Who will even believe in that age that Mary the virgin is pregnant for God? Although the Jewish people knew Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 7:14), till date, the Jews have their own idea of God’s Messiah. Heaven has favoured Mary but the “elephant task” of birthing the “Son of the Most High” was going to be a blessing or a setback depending on how it is received by those around Mary.

Mary’s favour did not propel her to the Palace like Esther. Her own assignment was the way to the cross. God’s favour can lead you to the desert to be prepared as the warrior, the one to stand up for your family and nation. You might be favoured but you will still have to climb the steep steps of life to deliver those entrusted to you. Your response is necessary, your preparation is necessary and understanding the nature of your “favour” is necessary to know the right tools to use.

Bethsheba: Widow of Uriah and wife of David

Whenever people use their position of influence to get things done their way even if it hurts others, we equate such people as evil, wicked and lacking empathy. If the only way to achieve your self interests is to hurt and step on the weak and the vulnerable, then you have no compassion. There are many people who rise to the top or achieve their goal on the backs of the weak and vulnerable. Such people go the extra mile to get what they want no matter the consequences on the people around them. David, Uriah and Bethsheba’s story in the Bible depicts such wickedness. Uriah left his wife home to fight for the nation and the king who was expected to lead the army to war idled at home and impregnated the wife of the committed soldier. When the king’s attempt to cover his sin failed, he devised a plan which led to the death of Uriah. Uriah’s death left his wife in a vulnerable state. Meanwhile, the king had another plan. 

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. (2 Samuel 11:27)

Bethsheba’s life changed suddenly because she took a bath at the time the king was taking a walk on his roof. An activity of general body hygiene led to a series of other events that ultimately led her to lose her husband and marriage. We can’t blame Bethsheba since she was the vulnerable person in this incident. Uriah’s death was reported to Bethsheba when she heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband (2 Samuel 11:26). Right after the mourning was over, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bore him a son. However, David’s actions displeased the Lord (Samuel 11:27). David’s insatiable desire did not just lead to adultery, he progressed to murder. If you think David was too sudden to marry Bethsheba, remember Abigail and how he quickly married her right after the death of Nabal.

Just like Abigail, Bethsheba couldn’t have resisted the offer to marry the king. First, she was in a vulnerable position and if her one-night stand with the king was exposed, she would face the consequences of it. Second, being a woman without a husband and living alone could attract men of all sorts. She was not safe even while her husband was alive but away fighting for the nation. Thirdly, she was already pregnant for David and instead of living the life of a concubine, she couldn’t resist the offer to live the life of the king’s wife. Was Bethsheba aware that David had her husband killed? We don’t know that but what we know is that the widow of Uriah became the wife of the king right after her mourning period. Bethsheba might have had to keep a straight face among the other wives of David. She was the newbie who seemed to have the attention of the king. She lost Uriah but became the king’s favourite wife. The story is far from over. If you are reading this post and are unhappy with David’s actions, imagine the Lord. 

Bethsheba’s story is relevant in the 21st century. On a daily basis, we still hear similar stories of how the weak and vulnerable people are coerced to do things that satisfy the whims and caprices of the mighty and powerful. There are many people who have suffered the fate of Uriah. They went out to do a good cause but they were used as stepping stones to achieve the desires of their masters. In some cases, women do not even have the right to choose their own spouses. Others are married off to pay family debt. David’s marriage to Bethsheba was out of inconvenience. He did that to cover his vile actions. 

Finally, if you are a person of authority, do not take the weak, the poor and vulnerable people for granted. The God of the rich and famous people, is the same God of the poor and vulnerable. He will surely avenge every evil. 

Bethsheba: When plans go wrong

There are times that our bad actions trigger the ripple effects of other things. My father always says that if you tell one lie, you will probably need a thousand more lies to cover your tracks. This is so true. Whenever you do something wrong and you need to cover your tracks, you tend to do more wrong stuff to make sure that your first action is not seen. The only solution to this ripple effect of sin is to avoid the very first attempt to sin. If you overcome the first desire to do evil, there is no need to cover up your track. The temptation of Adam and Eve, and the temptation of Jesus were all based on similar levels. The devil was interested in the things that would make them desire other things other than God: the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Eve succumbed to the sin, Adam followed suit and the result was a flawed humanity (Genesis 3). On the other hand, Jesus overcame his temptation and ultimately accomplished God’s purpose of salvation. 

Bethsheba had no intention to cheat on her husband until king David requested for her presence and ended up sleeping with her. The one night with the king began a cycle of sin. Bethsheba was pregnant for David while Uriah was still at war. David was informed about this and his first action was to send for Uriah. David sent word to Joab, the army commander: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him.” (2 Samuel 11:6‭-‬8). David’s plan was for Uriah to go home and sleep with Bethsheba so the baby would be known as Uriah’s baby. Remember, there was no DNA test available then. However, Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house (2 Samuel 11:9). When David inquired of Uriah, this was Uriah’s response: “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my Lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (2 Samuel 11:11). Such a loyalty was missing in David’s own life. Even when David got Uriah so drunk the next day, Uriah still didn’t go to sleep with his wife. David’s plan failed. 

In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” (2 Samuel 11:15)

All this while, Bethsheba was home managing her predicament. She had no idea that the king was looking for ways to cover his sinful action. David initiated plan B. The second plan was barbaric. David sent a letter to Joab through Uriah. The letter was Uriah’s death sentence. The very loyal Uriah did not know that his own hands carried a decision to kill him. In the letter, David wrote this: “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die.” (2 Samuel 11:14‭-‬15). David succeeded in this plan and Uriah was killed by the enemies he had risked his life and pleasure to fight against. Uriah was actually pushed into his own death by the plan of his own king. What an evil plan! Bethsheba’s one night with the king caused her the life of a very loyal husband. I am sure David did not plan to kill Uriah before he slept with Bethsheba. His one sin, generated a cycle of other sins. 

Imagine Bethsheba waiting at home to know what to tell Uriah about the pregnancy. They had no mobile phones so Bethsheba was not in communication with Uriah. The beautiful wife of Uriah carried the child of a king. The king who didn’t want to be shamed killed the husband of Bethsheba to cover his sinful action. The story is far from over. God hates sin and what David did was obnoxious to Him. 

Before you press that sin button, know that you will need a lifetime of lies to cover that single act. Be sober minded and be ready to weigh your actions with the word of God. The only solution to this ripple effect of sin is to avoid the very first attempt to sin.
God hates sin. 

Sarai’s alternative: Go, sleep with my slave

Sarai and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels from Egypt (Genesis 12:16). The couple returned to Canaan with all that they received from Egypt including their male and female servants. Remember, in Egypt, Sarai’s integrity was sacrificed so Abram could survive without the Egyptians attacking him. God intervened to rescue Sarai from the Pharaoh who had taken Sarai because Abram called her his sister. Back in Canaan, the couple lived their lives and continued their relationship with God. In fact, Abram and his cousin Lot parted and Lot chose the best land, Sarai did not complain. Abram and the men in his house had to go and rescue Lot because Lot and all he had were captured, Sarai did not complain that Lot chose the best and must suffer for it. Then in Genesis 15, God renewed his covenant with Abram and reiterated the promise to bless him with a child. “Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:4‭-‬6)

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. (Genesis 16:1‭-‬2)

A lot happened when the couple returned from Egypt. Suddenly, Sarai had a plan to facilitate God’s promise. She looked through her household slaves and saw Hagar, a slave from Egypt. She scanned Hagar and realized that Hagar would be a good choice to help fulfil God’s promise. Sarai, a woman of class and beauty knew Abram’s taste and as such, she chose the slave girl who could be a good match. Abram had not complained that Sarai should have a child. In fact, Hagar was entirely Sarai’s plan to have a child. It was a common practice those days to have children through your slaves. After Sarai had perfectly crafted her plan, “she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.” (Genesis 16:2‭-‬4)

Hagar wasn’t a bad choice after all. Abram agreed to Sarai’s plan and slept with Hagar. To be the wife of a powerful man like Abram was a big thing. Hagar became pregnant for Abram, the same thing Sarai had been waiting on for years. It must have been a great joy to Sarai and Abram. Sarai could have told Abram, “I told you that Hagar is a good choice” and Abram would have beamed with smiles. But, Hagar had another plan. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress and this situation didn’t go down well with Sarai. The plan seemed good until Sarai felt mocked and disrespected by Hagar. All that Sarai wanted was a child but she felt her position was threatened because her own slave girl was treating her with contempt. The result of this was Sarai’s maltreatment of Hagar until Hagar, the pregnant slave fled (Genesis 16:6). Sarai had a plan to have a child but she didn’t consider the potential effects of rivalry and disrespect. All this time, she had enjoyed the comfort of being Abram’s first lady. But she had a competitor, one Sarai herself planned and brought forth to Abram.

Sarai’s baby plan worked, but she couldn’t stand disrespect and ridicule. The result was her harsh treatment of Hagar. Did Sarai count the cost? Was she scared of losing her position of love and affection? Did she lose her faith in God to fulfill His promise to them? Whatever happened to Sarai, resulted in bitterness and resentment towards her slave girl. The good plan became torn in her flesh. Hagar is pregnant but Sarai isn’t happy. The baby wasn’t the problem, Sarai had a deeper longing that was not satisfied by Hagar’s pregnancy. Sometimes, the things we crave for are not necessarily the things that bring satisfaction to our souls. Only God can satisfy our spiritual and physical emptiness. Sarai, instead of celebrating the pregnancy of Hagar, rather became a bitter woman. Be careful about what you long for, it can make or unmake you. As we ponder on Sarai’s attitude towards Hagar, it important to learn some lessons from Ephesians 4:31-32, 
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”