“The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host.”
-Psalm 68:11
(New American Standard Version)
“Tuigidh bean bean eile.” “One woman understands another.” -Old Gaelic Saying
Esther was the Jewish woman who became Queen of Persia and saved the Jewish people from Genocide.
Ruth was the Gentile (Moabite) woman who followed God, joining God’s people. Her great-grandson, the shepherd boy David, became King of Israel.
She has entered history as a part of the ancestral lineage of Christ.
“…the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
And the angel came to her, and said, ‘Greetings, you that are highly favored; the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women.’
And when she saw him, she was troubled by his words, and considered what sort of greeting this was.
And the angel said to her, ‘Fear not, Mary: for you have found favor with God. And behold: you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.
And the Lord God shall give to Him the throne of His ancestor David; and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom shall have no end.’
Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I have not known a man?’
And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit shall rest upon you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore that Holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.'”
-Luke 1:26-35
“As mother of the Saviour of the world, the Virgin Mary unquestionably holds forever a peculiar position among all women, and in the history of redemption.
Even in heaven she must stand peculiarly near to Him whom on earth she bore nine months under her bosom, and whom she followed with true motherly care to the cross.
It is perfectly natural, nay, essential, to sound religious feeling, to associate with Mary the fairest traits of maidenly and maternal character, and to revere her as the highest model of female purity, love, and piety.
From her example issues a silent blessing upon all generations, and her name and memory are, and ever will be, inseparable from the holiest mysteries and benefits of faith.”
-Philip Schaff (1819-1893), Protestant Theologian and Ecclesiastical Historian; Professor at the German Reformed Theological Seminary in Mercersburg, Pennsylva (History of the Christian Church; Vol. III: Nicene and Post-Nicene Christianity A.D. 311-590; P. 410)
AN ACROSTIC POEM
Each Verse Begins with a Different Hebrew Letter, in Alphabetical Order ____________________________________________________
“Who can find a capable woman of great courage? Her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
She rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidservants.
She considers a field, and buys it; and with the profits from the work of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
She tightens her belt for her work, and her arms have the strength needed for her tasks.
She sees that her merchandise is good; and her candle does not go out at night.
In one hand she holds the spinning staff; the other holds the spindle.
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She makes for herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is of silk and purple.
Her husband is well known in the city gates, when he is seated there among the elders of the land.
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers the sashes she makes to the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice when her future arrives.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue are words of kindness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Many daughters have done well, but you have surpassed them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman that reverences the Lord shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the city gates.”
-Proverbs 31:10-31
“Amma Syncletica once said:
‘Imitate the publican, and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee.
Choose the humility of Moses; and you will find your heart, which is like a rock, changed into a flowing spring of water.’
She also said, “It is good not to get angry, but if you do, the Apostle does not allow a whole day for this passion, for he said: ‘Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.’
(Ephesians 4:25)
‘Will you wait until all your time has ended? Why hate the one who has grieved you? It is not they who have done the wrong, but the devil. Hate sickness, not the sick person.’”
-Sayings of the Desert Mothers
This Website: PrayerFoundation Evangelical Lay Monks ™ Built by: S.G. Preston Ministries ™
Copyright © 1999-2024 S.G. Preston. All Rights Reserved.
Photos & Text Copyright © 1999-2024 S.G. Preston. All Rights Reserved.