We know that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has a service to fulfill for Himself. Often this service is performed in obscurity, unappreciated even by those who are its objects. Brothers do not have an advantage over the sisters in service, nor is their service of a higher level of importance. Though of a different character and often performed in different ways from that of brothers, the dear sisters’ service is vital to the blessing of the body of Christ.
The Service of Building
“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:11Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. (Proverbs 14:1)). We do well to consider the solemn effect on the assembly of a house that has been plucked down— destroyed—because of the ways of a foolish woman. Consider the “houses” mentioned in Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. Had these been plucked down, what added heartache would they have had to experience!
Chloe’s house (1 Cor. 1:1111For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11)) had such a concern for the Corinthian brethren that they reported to Paul the sad bickering and divisions that existed there. How much blessing would have been lost to the assembly but for this house, whose members valued oneness of mind.
Then we hear of Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:1515I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) (1 Corinthians 16:15)), whose house is connected with service for the saints. What blessings both in the family and in the assembly come from houses who find delight in serving their beloved brethren in Christ.
Also we read in 1 Corinthians 16:1919The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19) that Aquila and Priscilla sent their greetings to Corinth “with the church that is in their house.” How wonderful that there can be those families who are of such a character that they can extend the fellowship of their house to the assembly. Oh, may our beloved sisters realize the vital role they play in building such houses!
The Service of Teaching
There is another profoundly important service which can only be performed by godly, elder sisters for the help and blessing of the younger. This is the happy service of teaching the younger those things which are necessary that they maintain for the good of their families and of the assembly (Titus 2:3-43The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (Titus 2:3‑4)).
The world in which we live seeks at every opportunity to corrupt and defile the female either by deception, as Eve was beguiled by the serpent, or by force, as with Dinah (Gen. 34:22And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her. (Genesis 34:2)) and Tamar (2 Sam. 13:1414Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. (2 Samuel 13:14)). How indispensable then is that sweet service of godly, older sisters who willingly give themselves to teaching, by their actions and by their words, the beloved younger sisters, “that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
A beautiful example of this vital role which an elder sister may take with one who is younger is seen in the story of Ruth. In Ruth 2 Naomi has returned to her city, Bethlehem, and Ruth with her. Desiring to be of help in the home, Ruth asks her mother-in-law for permission to go into a field to glean there for their food. Once she is there, Boaz, the owner of the field tells her: “Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens” (ch. 2:8). After receiving much kindness from him, Ruth goes home and recounts her experiences to Naomi, saying in part, “He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.”
In spite of all the virtue Ruth displayed, her comment proved that she lacked discernment and was in need of godly instruction. Boaz had told her to keep fast by “his maidens.” That was spiritually, morally and naturally the place of safety for her as a young woman. But Ruth, not realizing the grave dangers involved, felt it was quite acceptable to be found in the company of the “young men.”
What a joy to read Naomi’s loving yet firm answer to her daughter-in-law: “It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field” (ch. 2:22)! Ruth was obedient to this instruction, and not only did she enjoy immediate blessing, but the ultimate result is that she is found mentioned in the lineage of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:55And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; (Matthew 1:5)).
Ed.