Women of Scripture
Table of Contents
Women of Scripture: Abigail
1 Sam. 25
Although Abigail may be a rather difficult character to understand, yet she was a woman of faith, and there is very much that we can learn from her in a moral way and from the place given her in Scripture.
Samuel, God's faithful prophet, is dead he who was the true link between the people and God. Saul, although rejected by God, is still in the place of power, and outwardly acknowledged by the people as king. David, God's anointed one, is rejected and persecuted by the existing powers, and is a wanderer in the land over which, in God's purpose, he is shortly to reign.
Just at this point Abigail is introduced. She is the wife of a man named Nabal, who is prosperous in this world, but believes the general false opinion of David, and is a supporter of Saul's government.
Abigail shares Nabal's prosperity, but in heart she has nothing in common with her foolish, churlish husband. God calls her a woman of good understanding, and this is fully shown in the fact that, in spite of all that opposed, she was in the current of God's thoughts and had His mind, estimating persons and actions in the light of divine wisdom.
David, "the man after God's own heart," was given the first place in hers. David, the despised, scorned, runaway servant, as man regarded him, was in her eyes God's anointed king. David, the pursued wanderer, whose life was in hourly jeopardy at the hand of Saul, was in her esteem "bound in the bundle of life" with the Lord his God.
Abigail, being thus taught of God, does not blindly follow public opinion. She now looks at everything, not according to appearances, but from God's true standpoint, and so she has a right estimate, and everything is measured by the relation in which it stands to David, God's chosen king. She speaks of Saul, the people's king, merely as "a man" risen up to pursue David.
She recognizes the evil and folly of Nabal's attitude toward him, and that he is, in consequence, under the judgment of God.
She counts herself, although a beautiful woman and the wife of one of the largest land-owners of Israel, only as David's handmaid-David, the poor, homeless fugitive! How contrary to what is natural! Nothing but the teaching of God could produce such an attitude of heart.
She seeks two blessings at his hand, forgiveness and remembrance, and David beautifully answers her in true kingly style. "I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person," he says, and so when after ten days God's righteous judgment fell on the wicked Nabal, he put his answer into force, and she who had made such a bold declaration of loyalty is united to him and personally shares his rejection.
After the lapse of a few years David is invested with his royal rights, and then the one who has shared his rejection and sorrow, shares his glory and joy.
Surely all this speaks to us. David is a distinct type of the Lord Jesus Christ, and perhaps especially so just at this time in his life, when he walked the path of rejection.
Christ, although occupying the highest place in the glory of God and being the true Man after His own heart, is still the rejected One on earth, and the point for us is whether we are going on with the course of this world-following the public opinion and careless of Christ's claims of love over us-or, on the other hand, whether, like Abigail, we are willing to surrender all and commit ourselves to Him during the time of His rejection, sharing the outside place assigned Him by the world.
Soon that wondrous day of display will arrive when Christ will come forth in His glory, and then those who have been true to Him in the face of opposition during His rejection will share His triumph as belonging to that chosen company that forms His heavenly bride and occupies the closest place in His affections.
What a wondrous portion! Who would not make the important choice and willingly drop their hold of the things that are so soon to pass away, receiving instead the blessings of forgiveness, the Lord's loving remembrance and the joy of being "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6)?
Women of Scripture: Achsah
We are told very little about this daughter of Israel, but I think we may learn much from what is written in Joshua 15:16 and Judges 1:12, remembering that all Scripture has a voice to us, if only we have a ready ear and an understanding heart.
Achsah was the daughter of Caleb, the man of faith, who could say without boasting that “he wholly followed the Lord his God.”
The consequence was that there was no halting or wavering in him; instead, he possessed that keen purpose of heart that made him superior to apparently insurmountable obstacles and difficult circumstances, maintaining him steadily in the pathway of God’s will for His people until he ultimately became a victor and an overcomer. His words of encouragement to his dispirited brethren, “The Lord is with us: fear them not,” tells us the secret of his strength.
We are not surprised that Achsah proves herself a true daughter of this spiritual giant. She is given by Caleb as a bride to her cousin Othniel, when by his dauntless bravery he captures the stronghold of Kirjath-sepher from the enemy, thus proving himself a fitting partner for her.
He seemed as keen as his uncle in making his own the inheritance God had given His people to possess. He was thus training for his later important position when he became Israel’s deliverer and judge for forty years, during which time God’s people had rest from the constant harassing attacks of their surrounding enemies. It is on the occasion of her presentation as bride to the returning conqueror, that Achsah shows that the present possession and enjoyment of the blessing of God has the first place in her heart also.
At her father’s hand she had already received an inheritance, the south land, which without water would be unproductive and unfruitful. Therefore, she makes a further request: “Give me a blessing ... give me also springs of water.”
She goes a step further than the daughters of Zelophehad. They asked for an inheritance; Achsah has an inheritance, and requests, in effect, that which will make it a present source of satisfaction and pleasure to her. It only needed the bubbling springs of living water, upper and lower, so readily granted, to make the inheritance everything she wished it to be to her—a source of constant joy.
If we have committed ourselves to Christ and form part of that bride given to Him, the true Overcomer of the world, we have an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, reserved in heaven. It is God’s will that we should be in the present enjoyment now of that heavenly inheritance and the blessings connected with it, which are centered in Christ at His right hand. The mere knowledge of this, however, will not bear fruit, nor bring joy to our own hearts unless made good to us by the power of the Holy Spirit—“the earnest of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14). We, unlike Achsah, do not need to ask to receive, for as a wondrous gift from God He is sent to indwell all believers since the Lord has been glorified.
You will remember what the Lord said to the Samaritan woman: “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). And again, in John 7:38-39 He says to the Jews, “He that believeth on Me ... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive.” It is for us to see to it that there is nothing in our life and ways that would grieve the Holy Spirit, and thus hinder Him from making the abiding joys of heaven so real to our souls that we anticipate them now, entering into those marvelous things that “eye hath not seen, no ear heard,” but which God hath revealed unto us by His Spirit. It is only by His power that these things afford us real joy, or are made fruitful to our souls; without this our heavenly inheritance affords us little pleasure.
May we each, as man’s day is fast hastening to its close, and Christ’s return draws nigh, be so subject to God’s Holy Spirit that we may increasingly enter into and enjoy by His power the reality of our portion in Christ, until that moment in actuality we shall possess it to the full in His presence.
Women of Scripture: Daughters of Zelophehad
What a mark of distinction for five sisters to have their names recorded four times over by God in His scriptures! You will find them in Numbers 26:33; Numbers 27:11, Numbers 36; and Joshua 17:3-6. We may well mention them here-Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.
And why were they thus honored? It was just this: their hearts were set on enjoying to the full the present possession of the inheritance Jehovah had for His people, and this delighted His heart. They grasped what His will was for Israel-the immediate possession of the promised land-and although, as yet, no provision was made by law for them, being women, their hearts were so set on having a part in the division of the land that they bring their cause to Moses. He willingly makes their request known to God, and an immediate answer of definite approval is the result. "The Lord spake." He deigns to voice a distinct command, promising the fulfillment of the desires of these zealous maidens of Israel. "The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren." Numbers 27:7. This divine declaration is ratified by a new statute providing the same privilege for all Israelitish women in the same circumstances. They were anxious to continue their father's name in their tribe, as he had no son to succeed to his inheritance. How this shows God's entire appreciation of any individual heart-response to the blessings His love has provided for His own!
Now, for His heavenly people, God has "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven." 1 Peter 1:4.
Does this appeal to the hearts of us who are His? Do we desire, through faith and by the Spirit's power, to enjoy the possession in our souls of its joys now? Oh, that it may be so!
These women belonged to the tribe of Manasseh, and their purpose of heart is in striking contrast to the half-heartedness of the other half tribe that requested that they might have their inheritance on the east side of Jordan (Numbers 32). They were content with possessions, wealth and pleasures on this side of Jordan, and when the heads of families themselves crossed the Jordan to help their brethren conquer the land, they left all they held dear behind. When the warfare was over and rest was in view, they returned, leaving the place where the Lord's presence was known and the fellowship of their brethren, to enjoy the life they had chosen for themselves, separated from the Lord and the rest of His people.
What a solemn lesson for us! Is there any danger of our hearts being held by the pleasures and prosperity of this scene which must be terminated by death, when it is our privilege to have our treasure and inheritance above, beyond the reach of death, and our hearts set on them there?
When it came to the actual division of the land by Joshua, the five sisters again came forward to claim their promised possessions. Did the Lord consider an inheritance with their brethren on the east of Jordan good enough for them? No, indeed! God never disappoints hearts that are in harmony with His will, and that desire to enjoy and appreciate His blessings for them. Referring to Joshua 17:5-7, we learn distinctly that the portion of the sisters was in the land on the west of Jordan. We read (v. 6), "The daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead" (east of Jordan).
Notice another important thing: God makes a stipulation to which they agree and closely adhere. They may marry whom they see fit, but it must be in their own tribe. In other words, their affections and relationships must be subject to and suitable to their destiny. They must in no way mar their inheritance or interfere with their enjoyment of it.
In forming new relationships, let us see to it that they are "in the Lord," and then they will not lessen, but rather strengthen, our enjoyment of the joys which the Lord desires we should possess in spirit here and now.
Women of Scripture: Hannah
1 Samuel 1 and 2
Hannah was sad and tried, or as she describes herself, was “a woman of a sorrowful spirit.” Naturally, there was plenty of reason for her sorrow. She had a deep longing in her heart which was, as yet, ungratified, and in addition, the adversary used Peninnah to further try her with unkind taunts and teasing speeches.
Even the love of her devoted husband could not bring permanent sunshine into her life, and we are introduced to her in all her sadness and depression. However, although she does not know it, God has His eye on her for blessing. Her weeping may indeed endure for a night, but she is to prove that “joy cometh in the morning.”
The sorrow of unfulfilled desire is too deep to confide to an earthly friend, but Hannah turns to the Lord, whose sympathies fail not, and in the bitterness of her soul, and with the burning tears of a wounded spirit, she pours out her heart to Him in prayer. A special opportunity is afforded her for this when she accompanies her husband Elkanah and the provoking Peninnah to Shiloh for the yearly worship and sacrifice to Jehovah. Here, in the depths of her earnestness, she requests the Lord to remember her, and give her a son, whom she promises to give back to Him for His service as long as he lives.
His eye was upon this poor, sad woman, and He would not let her be crushed with over-much sorrow, but in answering her request according to His infinite wisdom, He was about to bring such rejoicing into her heart as would tune it to lofty praise in one of the most beautiful inspired songs on record. Who teaches like Him? Can we think that her daily trial and burden of heart was unnecessary when, under the training hand of God, it was productive of such results?
When looking back upon the trial Hannah could say, “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed” (1 Sam. 2:3). She realized then that He had been training her all the time, that every unkind action of her tormentor, and every action of hers, were all noticed and estimated at their right value by Him. Then when patience had had its perfect work, He came in to deliver.
The Lord granted her request, and in due time little Samuel (asked of the Lord) is born, bringing joy and gladness to the heart that had known so much weeping.
I believe the Lord continued to teach Hannah much of Himself during those two or three years of seclusion with her infant son, for what she desires for him speaks eloquently of what the presence of the Lord had become to her own soul. When the infant Samuel is weaned, she brings him to the tabernacle that “he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.” What greater ambition could she have for her child than that he should abide in the sunshine of the Lord’s presence? Could she wish it for him unless she had proved something of the sweetness of it herself?
How gladly did she “lend” her precious gift to the Lord, little realizing how He would use him to stand for Him and for the truth in a day of Israel’s deep departure. At this time the priesthood was marred by such wickedness that the offerings of the Lord were actually held in abhorrence by the people, the priests thus acting as a barrier between the Lord and His people instead of drawing their hearts more closely to Him.
The Lord, therefore, not only became the timely Deliverer of the downcast Hannah, but, in lifting her up from the depths of sorrow and granting her petition, He became the sadly-needed Deliverer of His backsliding people Israel, by raising them up a prophet and spiritual leader in Samuel. We have only to read Hannah’s beautiful song carefully to see how full she is of the Lord and all He has wrought. And no wonder! She has proved Him for herself, and found Him to be far better than her highest expectations.
Have we so learned Him? If not, may we prove Him now. He loves to be confided in, and the result will not be less blessed than that experienced by Hannah.
Women of Scripture: Lydia
Outside the city of Philippi, by a riverside, each sabbath day a few women assembled for prayer. See Acts 16:13.
A riverbank was a favorite resort for this purpose where there was no synagogue, and these praying women were evidently Jewish, although the city was itself sunk in heathen idolatry.
Among them was Lydia of Thyatira, a seller of the richly-dyed goods for which her native town was famous.
She was a Grecian woman, but had become a worshiper of the God of Israel.
Consequent upon the vision of a Macedonian crying for help, the Apostle Paul, accompanied by Silas and apparently also by the physician Luke, and Timothy, had reached Philippi, being the bearers of the "gospel of the glory" received directly from the risen and exalted Lord. Hearing of the resort for prayer, they joined the little company of women at the riverside and sat down and spoke with them about the things of God.
Lydia listened, and as she listened, the Lord gave her the capacity to receive the divine message of love and grace, for, in the beautifully expressive words of Scripture, the work in her soul is described thus—"whose heart the Lord opened," with the result that "she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul."
She was ready and desirous to learn, and the Lord saw that she did not lack the opportunity. He had His eye on a little company of saints who later on were to be for His glory in testimony in this very city, and a great source of joy and cheer to the beloved Apostle. Lydia was to be one of the number, and this was her preparation.
What an inestimable blessing it is to have "an open heart"—opened by the Lord Himself and thus fitted to receive, and to respond to, divine communications!
When Lydia's heart was opened she attended to the things spoken by Paul, and I feel this to be significant.
Many of "the things which were spoken of Paul," and dictated to him by the Spirit of God, are still on record, handed down to us in the Scriptures of truth. Have we attended to them as God's communications to us?
They are full of wondrous, deep, searching truths, especially encouraging and necessary in these closing days of the Church's history on earth to all those who, on account of possessing opened hearts, desire to respond intelligently and in true affection to the Lord's will for His own.
Lydia may have had only this one opportunity, during the Apostle's stay in the city, of hearing what was in the heart of God for her, but she made the most of it.
She was baptized as was her household; that is, she definitely and publicly identified herself with Christ's death, putting herself and all she possessed under the Lord's control; then she besought the Lord's servants—"constraining" them (a strong word meaning that she could not take a refusal) to come to her house and abide there. There was one condition; however—if they judged her to be faithful to the Lord—and they evidently did. What a triumph of grace!
She was once a heathen, but the Lord made an entrance into her heart. She listened to God's communications through Paul; she attended to them, definitely linked herself with the Lord's interests, owned His control over herself and all her own, earnestly desired to be faithful to Him, and consequently opened her house to His servants. Have we made as much spiritual progress as Lydia?
A true work of God was begun in that city, so Satan could not let it alone. He tried to spoil it by craft and through the testimony of an evil spirit possessing a young girl, who repeatedly proclaimed that the apostles were the servants of the Most High God.
Paul had spiritual discernment to detect that this was said to elate them, and if allowed, would mix what was of God with evil. If what the possessed damsel asserted was true, that they were the servants of the Most High God (and it was, only the time was anticipated, this being God's millennial name), the evil spirit must submit to the power present there by being driven away. "Paul... turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
Oh! the power of that name. The enemy flees before it.
Persecution and imprisonment followed for God's servants, but it bore fruit in the conversion and baptism of the jailor and his household, another triumph over the power of Satan exerted against God's truth.
The result of the hatred and tumult raised by him as a last resource is very marked—(1) Paul and Silas sang praises to God. The victims of Satan's hate were rejoicing and exultant. (2) The prison doors were burst open by God's intervention.
(3) The jailor and his family were eternally blessed. (4) The magistrates were obliged to come as suppliants to the Apostle.
Satan was unmistakably frustrated.-
How had all this affected Lydia? Had all the opposition and persecution shaken her faith? On the contrary; the Apostle showed-utmost confidence in her, and indeed judged her faithful to the Lord, for, being released from prison he and Silas immediately went to her house, where they were certain of a welcome. Then, after seeing and comforting the brethren, they started on their journey to Thessalonica.
It would be well for us to question whether we, like this devout woman of God, would be likewise judged faithful to the Lord. Have we, like Lydia, open hearts and open homes? "Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation." Heb. 13:7
Women of Scripture: Mary Magdalene
At our first introduction to Mary Magdalene we are told two striking facts:
That the Lord cast seven devils out of her, and
That she, with others, ministered to Him of her substance. See Luke 8:2, 3.
Satan had full control over that poor woman, which was manifested by seven forms of evil, and he held her absolutely in his power until the One who was stronger than the strong man came, and in His mighty love and power broke the bands and freed the captive. Now she was free to serve, and in response to the love that had done so much for her, she delighted to minister to Him.
What she possessed of this world's wealth (formerly, no doubt, used in self-gratification) was now dedicated to the Lord, who had entirely won her heart's allegiance, and was used to help supply the temporal needs of the One who, though He were rich, had become poor for her sake, that through His poverty she might be rich indeed.
From this moment she definitely became one of His disciples, and with the twelve and several other women, followed Him from city to city, and village to village, where He preached the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.
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His marvelous life on earth was completed-His course here finished-and Jesus, the Savior, was dying on the cross for sin.
Afar off, gazing at the scene in awestruck sorrow, were a few devoted women who had followed Him from Galilee, and of whom Mary Magdalene was one. Her love and attachment to her Savior, however, perhaps overcame the natural aversion to witnessing suffering, and the attraction of love drew her near, for John tells us that she stood "by the cross."
Have we each known what it is to have been in spirit in Mary's position, and there learned something of the extent and depth of the love that led the precious Savior into such suffering-and into such a death-"even the death of the cross"- for our sake? "By the cross" Mary Magdalene remained until all was over. No power could draw her away from the Object of her affection. She heard the dread cry of being forsaken by God fall from the lips of the blessed Sin bearer; the deeply significant "It is finished" also fell on her attentive ears; she heard her Lord commend His spirit to His Father, and witnessed the actual laying down of His precious life and dismissal of His spirit. What deep, deep truths her soul was drinking in!
She was there when the precious body of the Lord was taken down, wrapped in fine linen by Joseph of Arimathea, and laid in his new sepulcher. Mary was present at the burial, for Mark tells us that she beheld where they laid Him.
The deep and far-reaching truths of resurrection could be unfolded to such a devoted heart as hers.
Returning hum the tomb she prepared sweet spices and anointing oil, and then rested during the Sabbath. But by dawn on the first day of the week she returned to the sepulcher to anoint the Lord's body, in spite of the great sealed stone that closed the entrance, and the sentinels placed there to watch. Love is superior to all difficulties; they do not come into its calculation. When they reached the tomb, however, she and her companions found the stone rolled back from the entrance, two angels in possession, and the guard powerless as dead men.
There was no need now to ask, "Who shall roll away the stone?"
Mary hastened back to the disciples to tell of the opened sepulcher, and returned with Peter and John, who hastily satisfied themselves that the Lord was not there, and left. But not so Mary; she remained weeping, "because," as she told the angels, "they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." Her heart was desolate, its Object was gone, and life was nothing without Him. Is the Lord thus enshrined in our hearts? Is this world a real wilderness to our souls because He is not here? We do well to ask ourselves these questions.
See how her devotion was rewarded!
Jesus-her Lord-revealed Himself to her. She, as one of His sheep, knew His voice and responded to the simple "Mary," so lovingly spoken with the one exclamation, "Master!"
Then the Lord had more to say, and to her was entrusted the most wonderful message ever sent to man.
"Go to My brethren," said the risen Lord, "and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God."
John 20:17.
What wonderful relationships-the results of death and resurrection! The Lord claims those who love Him and follow Him as His brethren, and unites them with Himself in relationship with His God and Father. Nothing can break such links, forged by the Lord in relation to a new system of things entirely, where He, instead of being disowned and rejected, is supreme.
What love that procures such heights of bliss for its objects!
"In peaceful wonder we adore
The thoughts of love divine;
Which in that world for evermore
Unite our lot with Thine."
Mary was intelligent as to who were His brethren, for she returned to His disciples and told them "that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her."
Women of Scripture: Mary, the Mother of Jesus
"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior." Luke 1:46, 47. Thus begins the beautiful song of praise that burst from the lips of a young maiden of Nazareth under very exceptional circumstances.
She had been the recipient of a wonderful, divine communication brought from God by the angel Gabriel. She, a lowly virgin, had been addressed by her heavenly visitor as "highly favored" and "blessed... among women." Her nervous anxiety caused by this unusual visit had been set at rest by his comforting "Fear not, Mary," and then she meekly listened to the wonderful revelation, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."
Marvelous and personal as the revelation was, she accepted it in faith and answered it in a spirit of quiet subjection. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word." Did Mary fully realize at once the import of the weighty message that she was to become in a miraculous way, by the power of the Holy Ghost, the honored mother of the long-looked-for Messiah of the Jews-Jesus the Savior? Gabriel had told her about her aged cousin Elizabeth, and reminded her that "with God nothing is impossible."
The similarity of the angel's mission to each formed a bond of attraction and fellowship between them, and Mary felt impelled to travel the seventy miles between Nazareth and the hill country of Hebron to visit her relative. Here in the rest and seclusion of the priest's home, with the companionship of Elizabeth, who could fully understand, she spent three quiet months.
It was upon her arrival here too, the first greetings over, that Mary voiced her feelings in the beautiful song with which we started. She had a rejoicing spirit not brought about by earthly circumstances, for they must have been specially trying (see Matt. 1:19), but her soul's vision was filled with the Lord-God her Savior-whom she magnified and exalted. Occupied with Him she fully realized then, if she had not before, the depth of the Lord's dealings with her, and thus beautifully and simply expressed it: "He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name." Her faith in God is very evident here, and she continued to speak of His mercy, always active for those that fear Him, His strength exerted in righteousness in the earth, and His help which was at the disposal of His favored people (vv. 50-54).
Six months had passed away and Joseph followed the angelic injunction to take his espoused wife Mary under his protection. Together they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be enrolled in the census according to the decree of Caesar Augustus.
A deeper reason no doubt lay behind this journey. Micah's beautiful prophecy was about to be fulfilled, "Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting." Mic. 5:2. While Mary was there, sheltering in a stable belonging to an overcrowded inn, this wonderful "ruler" prophesied of above-the sent One of God-was born!
With her own hands, as in her poverty she probably had none to help her, she wrapped her precious Babe in the customary swathes of linen, and cradled Him in a manger. There was "no room" for God's Christ, Israel's true King, in this world. "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:11. But though He was unrecognized by men, angelic hosts heralded His advent and proclaimed to some lowly shepherds keeping watch over their flocks during the darkness of night God's "good tidings of great joy." "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
After the heavenly messengers left, the shepherds agreed to go immediately to see that which the Lord had made known to them, so they were the first visitors received by Mary to see her holy Child. Convinced of the truth of all they saw, they spread abroad the "good tidings," so that they who heard wondered at what the shepherds told them. Mary, on the contrary, "kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19.
Wonderful truths to keep and ponder, and how they must have strengthened her faith and her rejoicing in God her Savior!
Women of Scripture: Miriam
A carefully made, covered cradle of rushes, with a helpless baby in it, rocking among the reeds of the ancient Egyptian Nile, is the object of God's deep interest and solicitude, of a mother's steadfast faith, and of a sister's watchfulness. God's purposes with regard to the future of His chosen people, their release from bondage and their safe conduct to the land of promise are centered in that little three-month-old baby.
He was to be Israel's deliverer and leader, and his mother Jochebed seems wonderfully taught of God when she accepts for her child what so vividly spoke of death, putting full confidence in the God of resurrection and power. In the dignity of faith she commits her little son to the waters of death and calmly waits for God to work. There is no nervous hurry, worry or excitement. Her trust is in Jehovah, and nothing seems to shake it.
Miriam, Moses' elder sister, was standing "afar off" to see what would happen to her little brother. Although perhaps she possessed not the far-seeing faith of Jochebed that pierced the gloomy clouds of oppression and cruelty weighing so heavily upon God's people at this time, she was not too far off for God to use her in the furtherance of His purposes, and she is ready when the moment comes for her to act.
It is a very great honor to be used of God in the carrying out of the smallest part of His all-wise plans, and for this we need to have His mind about things and to take stock of everything from the divine standpoint. By nature we have a warped, exaggerated vision. How much we need to be taught of God-even how to stand and wait.
Miriam stands and waits to some purpose. She watches the finding of her baby brother by the Egyptian princess, and then, with a God-given thought, she hastens to the royal lady's side. May she find a nurse for the child among the Hebrew women? This is God's ordering, and the hearts of all are in His hand, so a ready assent is given. Miriam's heart directs her feet and she hastens to fetch her mother, which results in the fact that her dearly-loved babe is given back to her tender nurture and training, and with him the wages- that which will provide for every temporal need.
That is how God rewards faith-faith being His own gift. Oh! to have to do with such a God of love, for He is the same today-"Changeless through all the changing years."
Miriam, having fulfilled her part, disappears from view, and many years elapse before we meet with her again. Doubtless all this time she was being taught by God for the part she had yet to fill, which was by no means an unimportant one. She had evidently linked herself with the people of God in a marked way and was looked up to by them, for she is introduced to us in Exodus 15:20 as "the prophetess, the sister of Aaron."
From this we gather that she was used of the Lord to reveal His mind to, and instruct in His ways, at least the women of Israel, over whom she seemed to have influence.
When Moses and the children of Israel, exulting in their wonderful deliverance from Egypt and from their enemies the Egyptians, sing that beautiful song of triumph to the Lord, it is Miriam who, stirred by the glorious words, leads forth the women to join the wondrous song and swell the chorus, "Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously."
Thus, at the outset of the wilderness journey, in company with the Lord's redeemed people, with their enemies dead behind them, the deep waters of the Red Sea between them and the land of their bondage, with the Lord's presence with them in the visible pillar of the cloud to be their guide and protection, she can lead the Lord's praises in notes of triumphant song.
If we know what it is in our souls to be in Miriam's position of victory, we too shall have to sing His praises, not with voice only, but from the depths of our adoring hearts.
The beautiful song itself we cannot here consider in detail, but the close of it is grand-the inheritance, the sanctuary and the Lord's everlasting reign. Oh, that this might have been the closing act of Miriam's life!
But there is another picture, and a very sad one, portrayed for us in Numbers 12. Miriam and her brother Aaron speak against Moses for an act which they consider to be unseemly, throwing doubt on his God-given leadership, thus manifesting jealousy and insubordination in a very sad way.
What a sad example to the congregation, and how their conduct added to the burden of their brother's already strenuous life!
This was most displeasing to God, who would not allow this evil spirit to continue for a moment. It is very beautiful to see how the Lord comes in and vindicated Moses as His servant above reproach.
As a mark of His deep displeasure the Lord afflicted Miriam, the instigator of the evil speaking, with leprosy, thus showing her and all the congregation how sinful her action was in His sight. It was only upon Aaron's confessing and judging the sin, and Moses' earnest prayer on her behalf, that the Lord healed her.
The solemn impress of the Lord's hand of chastisement was felt by the whole congregation, for they "journeyed not" until Miriam was again restored to the camp in health. How deep and far-reaching is the effect of sin!
How careful we should be to have everything open to the sight of "Him with whom we have to do." "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23, 24.
Women of Scripture: Queen of Sheba
1 Kings 10:1-13
The report of the fame and wisdom of Solomon, the third king of Israel travels far away to the province of Sheba in southern Arabia and reaches the ears of its queen. Only a report, but it arrives at an opportune moment and sets the queen's heart and feet in motion. Although a lady of such high rank, her brow is often furrowed by puzzling over the difficulties, the perplexities and the unsolved problems that face her on all sides. Here is an opportunity to have solved many of her "hard questions," and she embraces it. With a present of gold, precious stones and costly spices, a worthy offering in her estimation for so great a personage, she and her attendants make the journey. In her eagerness to reach Solomon and prove his wisdom for herself, the long desert journey with all its discomforts presents no hindrance to her.
At last the anticipated moment arrives, and she finds herself in the presence of the one whose fame had reached her in that far-off land. To him she unburdens her difficulties, communing with him of all that is in her heart. Is Solomon equal to the occasion? Is there any tangle he could not unravel, or one knotty question he could not solve? Does his wisdom fail him when put to such a test? Let Scripture answer: "And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not." 2 Chron. 9:2.
Everything around speaks of his greatness and wisdom. Even the apparel and bearing of his servants and attendants manifests his glory, and she is not blind to all this. In fact, it has such an overwhelming effect upon her that, although a queen, she sinks into insignificance in the presence of such a revelation of glory, and "There was no more spirit in her." She owns in humbleness that it was a true report that she had heard-not overstated or too highly colored, as most reports are. Still, she does not really believe it until, being in his very presence, it was made real to her vision. She comes, she sees, and her heart is conquered. No wonder she exclaims, "Behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard."
How eloquently Scripture speaks! Cannot we see something deeper in this beautiful, divinely drawn picture than appears on the surface? Primarily, no doubt, it depicts the coming wonderful day of Christ's display when "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth," when the monarchs of Sheba shall offer gifts and the gold of Sheba shall be given Him, and when all nations shall serve Him and call Him blessed (Psalm 72:8, 10, 11, 15, 17). However, we can also give it a more present and personal application. Can we not trace something in our history that corresponds? Have we not, like the Queen of Sheba, heard a very distinct report of the One who is King of kings and Lord of lords, and perhaps, like her, at first we do not fully believe it, or we underrate its significance? Have we not burdens and difficulties that no earthly friend can resolve? If so, may the divinely-given "report" set our hearts in motion toward the true Solomon, and may we allow no obstacle to keep us from coming into personal touch with Him. He could say when on earth, referring to this very incident: "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here." Luke 11:31.
If the Solomon of old could satisfactorily answer all her questions and solve all her difficulties, rest assured that the "greater than Solomon" is perfectly able, and more, is longing to set every heart at rest which is unburdened in His presence. There self-esteem and pride have no place, but the Lord Himself and His glory fill the vision of the soul, and the heart is captivated and conquered. As we thus begin to learn His inestimable worth, the language of our hearts will be, "Thou exceedest the fame" that we heard. This must always be the result of coming to the Lord Jesus Christ and having personal dealings with Him.
One thing more, Solomon was not content that she should witness his wealth and greatness; she must participate in the blessings of it too, and so he gave her-
"Whatsoever she asked." Wonderfully gracious, but the gift is limited to her consciousness of need!
"All her desire." Now he goes beyond her requests merely, and satisfies her heart's unuttered longings. Even this does not content him, and so he gives her
(3) "Of his royal bounty." He does not now consider her capacity to receive, but his own resources from which he draws. Wonderful picture of the attitude of the heart of Christ to all who come to Him in need!
Should we not desire to learn more of the unlimited supply and unfailing character of His royal bounty who loves to give "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" Eph. 3:20?
Women of Scripture: Rhoda
Acts 12:1-9
Rhoda, though young, was linked up with the little band of Christians at Jerusalem in the early days of the Church's history, and in the testing time of persecution.
Stephen, who so boldly and devotedly stood for the testimony connected with "the God of glory," had been stoned by a mob infuriated by his truthful utterances.
James, the Apostle, had been killed with the sword by Herod's orders, and now Peter was lying in prison chained to a guard, awaiting his execution the next day. Was he also to be taken from them? These were sad, anxious, apprehensive days for the Jerusalem saints, and, feeling the situation, they did the best thing, and the only thing they could do-they prayed "without ceasing to God for him." Day after day passed, and Peter was not released, and now it was, as far as they could tell, his last night on earth, the next morning being fixed by the authorities for his execution. How was it spent?
By Peter the night was spent in quiet, restful sleep; by the little company to whom this honored servant of the Lord was so dear it was spent in earnest prayer and supplication to God for him, and Rhoda, though young, was present at this midnight prayer meeting in Mary's house.
Here was a true, brave heart-true to the Lord and His interests on earth, and brave, to be so definitely associated with a tried and persecuted people.
The Lord takes account of her and, although we are not told her parentage, and what position, if any, she held in the household, her connection with His saints is noticed, and her name is handed down to us.
Suddenly the prayer meeting was interrupted by a continual knocking on the street door, and brave little Rhoda went to ask who was there. She knew it might be a band of soldiers to apprehend them for the truth's sake, but instead she recognized a well-known, dearly loved voice asking for admittance. In her childlike delight and excitement she neglected to admit this welcome midnight visitor, but instead ran back to the friends to tell the good news.
They were incredulous in spite of Rhoda's confidence, although they had been so constantly praying for Peter, and doubtless for his release.
The answer to their prayers had come and they could not believe it, but told Rhoda, the bearer of the good tidings, that she was mad.
Do we not see our own unbelieving hearts reflected here? Well might the Lord say, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Matt. 21:22. How wondrous the grace that oftentimes grants a definite, loving answer to our petitions, although not accompanied with belief!
If Rhoda was not mad in her persistency that Peter was without, then reason, which is always opposed to faith, must ask another solution.
They therefore suggested that it must be his angel or spiritual representative-anything but belief in God's power exerted on behalf of His servant in answer to the desires of His people who had been crying mightily to Him.
The knocking, however, continued; so at last the door was opened, and when they saw that it really was Peter, they were indeed astonished.
Once within, and the ejaculations of surprise silenced, how much there was to tell, and Rhoda, with the others, was an attentive listener to the tale of God's wonderful deliverance of His imprisoned servant.
Roman guards, chains, bolts, bars, and heavy iron gates presented no difficulty to "the angel of the Lord," who got Peter clear of the prison and down the length of one street in the city, before leaving him. His heavenly guide did not dictate where he should go then; that was left to Peter's own choice.
He did not need to consider long; he knew where he was likely to find "his own company"-those who had a heart for the Lord's interests, and there he went and was received as we have already noticed.
What a great thing in these closing days of the Church's history on earth to find ourselves, like Rhoda, connected with a similar company, which, though weak, is yet dependent, and one to which the Lord and His interests are dear!
Women of Scripture: Sarah
Sarah was a remarkable woman. We can profit by considering the growth of her soul as taught by God.
The first time that Sarah acts independently is recorded in Genesis 16, when, too impatient to await the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that they should have an heir, and evidently faithless with regard to it, she suggests to her husband that he should take her Egyptian maid to be his wife. We are told in Galatians 4:24, 25 that Hagar represents the covenant made on Mount Sinai-the law-and this speaks to us of bondage.
Abraham yields to Sarah's suggestion, and faith for the time gives place to nature.
Nature finds its resources and even its religion in things down here quite apart from God, in contrast to faith which makes God, who is the source of its very existence in a soul, the center of everything.
Is Sarah alone in this phase of unbelief? If we challenge our own hearts, how often must we plead guilty to the temptation of seeking some relief from pressure, or some way out of a difficulty, by having recourse to this world and to the things of this life.
What a slight upon the God who has given us so many proofs of His love, faithfulness and wisdom! If we know Him in any measure, we are without excuse. Sarah had not the full revelation that has been made known to us, and it does not appear from the text that she was even present when the promise was made to Abraham. Thus she missed the faith-inspiring object lesson of the star spangled heavens, and the deep, solemn, soul teaching of the night's watch by the sacrifice. (See Genesis 15:4-18.) Her sad act of unbelief, however, cannot fail to bring sorrow and discord in its train, and this soon becomes evident.
Sarah is despised by Hagar, and harshness ensues in consequence on Sarah's part, so that Hagar flees. But she is not allowed to remain away. Sarah has lessons to learn through Hagar's presence in her home, so God, who is just as interested in Sarah's spiritual growth as in Abraham's, sends her back. It must have been a trial to Sarah when Ishmael was born, and a test during the fourteen years he and his mother remained in the home. But Sarah was doubtless in the school of God all this time, for we do not read of any more quarrels, although she laughed in derision when the heavenly strangers reiterated God's promise, giving all the full details connected with it. (See Genesis 18.) Unbelief still! How loath we are to believe divine statements when they are contrary to nature, forgetting that "with God all things are possible." When faith is not in exercise in a believer, there is something in him that is hindering, because there are no hindrances on God's side. How aptly does Eliphaz put the question to Job: "Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?" I think we shall find that this was the case with Sarah. On two occasions she and her husband acted in a deceitful manner, so that, though knowing more of God, and taking a higher ground than those around them, they are reproached and reproved by them. Let us beware, as Christians, of giving occasion to those about us to blaspheme the name of Christ.
Abraham's excuse for their behavior to Abimelech in Genesis 20:11-14 tells of a secret arrangement made between Sarah and himself when he first responded to God's call. In spite of a fuller revelation of God to them as time went on, they still harbored this evil thing and had recourse to it, and of this we have a twofold account. (See chapters 12 and 20.) How soul-deadening! No wonder that faith is fettered! Let us carefully avoid secret sins, always seeking to live transparently before God and man, for it is the only path in which fruit can be borne to Him and blessing can accrue to us.
But now let us pass on to a brighter picture. In Hebrews 11:11 we read, "Through faith also Sara herself received strength... and was delivered of a child... because she judged Him faithful who had promised." We are not told how God worked in her soul to accomplish this marvelous change, but her faith and hope is now entirely and firmly placed in Him, and she trusts Him implicitly.
She has, at last, come to the end of herself, and has discovered her own utter weakness and resourcelessness. When she was acting for herself, everything went wrong and only brought bitter disappointment. God must undertake everything for her if His promise is to be made good in her, and "she judged Him faithful who had promised."
When we reach this point and leave self out of the question, there is no longer any hindrance to our progress in God's things, because the wisdom of the One who has our training in hand is infinite, and "Who teacheth like Him?"
God's promise is fulfilled, and Isaac, the child so long waited for, is born. Sarah now seems almost to outshine Abraham. He names the child at God's direction (see Genesis 17:19), but Sarah shows intelligence and interprets it. She seems to recognize what springs of refreshment and joy she has in Isaac, for she says, "God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6.
What a contrast to her laugh of unbelief behind the tent door! This is the pure laugh of the deep joy of fulfilled desire and faith in God, and it bears its testimony. It is a case of "my cup runneth over."
Do we know anything of this joy in a spiritual sense? We all know that Isaac is a very distinct type of Christ. Is our appreciation of Him so great that He has become the source of a deep joy that no one can deprive us of, and that, bubbling up and over, ministers refreshment to those about us, and becomes the source of true fellowship? Sarah says, "all that hear will laugh with me."
One step further Sarah goes. She now has faith in God, an awakened and intelligent heart that can fully appreciate Isaac, but He must be supreme. He must have no rivals. Now is the time for decision, and Sarah is ready for it. "Cast out this bondwoman and her son" is the advice she gives Abraham, and Ishmael has to go. There is no place for the flesh when faith is in activity and Christ is truly appreciated. God has put a wonderful seal to this decision of Sarah's, and honored it in a very special way. In Galatians 4:30 we read, "What saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman," etc. Sarah's actual words are quoted, and God deigns to call them "scripture," clearly showing that she had His mind in her decision, and that her action met His approval.
May we each imitate Sarah, and seek that Christ shall have the supreme place in our hearts.
Women of Scripture: The Call of Rebekah
Genesis 24
We have doubtless often heard servants of the Lord speak very beautifully of Rebekah as a type of the Church-the bride of Christ-in that she was attracted by the message of the servant (the Holy Spirit) and conducted by Him across the desert to Isaac (the type of the risen One) to be his bride, joy and comfort.
This is too vast a subject to be dealt with in this short article, so we will consider Rebekah rather in an individual way. We should read Genesis 24 carefully, where Rebekah first comes into prominence, since the details are so beautiful and full of instruction.
Eliezer, sent by Abraham to secure a wife for Isaac from among his kinsfolk in Mesopotamia, crosses the desert and reaches the gates of the city of Nahor in safety. Making a halt by a well he lifts his heart in prayer to God for guidance as to his choice among the maidens of that place. In immediate answer to his prayer, Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham's nephew, comes out of the city with her waterpot to draw water from the well, and to Eliezer's wonderment and joy fulfills the special sign he had asked of God. How simple is a life of trustful dependence upon God! Oh that we knew more about it, especially in these difficult, complicated times! Rebekah receives the gifts offered by Eliezer, possibly in recognition of her willing services; but what seems to have more weight with her is what he has to tell of the ways of the God of glory with the family in the distant land. She silently listens to Eliezer's heartfelt thanksgiving to God for thus hearing prayer and prospering his journey; and she hastens home and tells all she has heard. As a result the servant is entertained by her parents and her brother Laban, whose covetous soul seems greatly stirred by the sight of his sister's jewels.
During Eliezer's short stay, Rebekah learns more of God and His goodness to her relations, so when the call came to her it found her ready. The simple and yet searching question, "Wilt thou go with this man?" was responded to with the equally straightforward and unhesitating answer, "I will go."
This beautiful reply is only possible from one to whom the God of glory has in some measure been revealed! Rebekah was no poor, homeless maiden, and the choice was not made between poverty and loneliness, and love and plenty. She possessed home, friends and wealth, and these would have remained to her had she decided to stay. What, then, could have been the power that attracted a girl to leave all she had hitherto held dear, to undertake a long, weary desert journey, with all its attendant heat and discomfort, accompanied by a strange escort, to a strange country and to a people unknown except in name? Years previously the God of glory had called Abraham from the same locality, and, constrained by divine power and in response to the call, he had started out on an altogether untried path. That path proved to be in his case, as it always must be, a path to certain blessing. Now a similar call had come to Rebekah, and with it, however detaining and hindering the earthly ties, came power to obey from the same Lord of glory. I think the report of the servant had much more weight with Rebekah than the gifts he conferred upon her, and learning thus something of the blessing in the far-off country in which she is invited to participate, she is impelled by an unseen power to follow in the footsteps of the one who was first called, and so is "blessed with faithful Abraham."
What a mighty detaching and attracting power is that of the Lord of glory! Do we know anything about it, dear reader? If not, we are still very far from blessing. The sad thing is that to so many the call seems to come in vain. May none of us be found among such, but like Rebekah, respond willingly to the call of God and enter into the circle of true blessing.
Rebekah knew very little as yet of Isaac, the type of the risen One, whose bride she was destined to be, or of what lay before her in the future; but the point is she believed the report and obeyed God's call, and so made a distinct break with all her old connections and chose the path of blessing.
Probably many a time you have heard the report of God's love and grace through His faithful servants. How are you treating it? Has it had any real effect upon your life, or are you simply going on as usual and ignoring the call-the call of God to you? Time is so short and is fast running to its close, as everything around shows. Oh, simply obey, and blessing untold is before you!
No doubt Rebekah learned much during that never-to-be-forgotten journey. How readily would Eliezer reply to her queries, and how gladly would he tell her about his master Isaac! She must have listened with wonder to the story of Mount Moriah, every day learning more about the one who in perfect subjection to his father's will could unresistingly yield himself to death at his command. And she was to be linked with such an One in risen life. No wonder, when at the journey's end the servant pointed out his master, that she took a veil and covered herself. Her heart was won, and from henceforth she was for Isaac alone.
Has not this a voice to us? If we only realized more what depths of perfection there are in Christ and what He can be to us and what He wants us to be to Him, I am sure we would, like Rebekah, turn our back on the world and its attractions, and desire to be for Christ alone!
Women of Scripture: The Shunammite
2 Kings 8
We find here that Jehovah "called for a famine...upon the land" to judge Israel for backsliding and idolatry, and to remind them and their unprincipled king Jehoram, by means of seven years of terrible stress and affliction, that He was still jealous of the nation's loyalty and affection.
But in the midst of judgment it is always God's delight to remember mercy; thus at the very commencement of the dreadful dearth He sent a direct message to the Shunammite woman through Elisha: "Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years." 2 Kings 8:1.
There was nothing wonderful or miraculous about this way of escape selected by God for this true woman and those dependent upon her, but she recognizes it as a positive command and immediately acts upon it. This made the distinction between herself and probably thousands of others who in due course left their homes by choice to avoid the terrors of want and privation. Her pilgrimage was undertaken at God's special direction, and in the knowledge that it was ordered for her in God's providence, and thus she felt sure of His guidance and support whatever sorrows or difficulties might cross her path.
This emigration must have been a severe trial to one who considered it such a privilege and pleasure to dwell among her own people, and we can judge that the seven years spent in the land of the heathen Philistines, direct enemies of the Lord and His people, were not the happiest of her life.
No doubt being surrounded by idolaters made her rely more upon the God she had learned in resurrection-"the living God"-and thus she was enabled to wait patiently for the termination of the seven years of exile.
It came at last, and Israel's misery and mourning were at an end. It would have been good if they had benefited more by the discipline. The fugitive families were now free to return to the land of their fathers. "Good-by" is readily said to their temporary place of abode, and the Shunammite and her household journey home again. How she must have anticipated this homecoming, little dreaming of the disappointment that awaited her.
Arriving at last at the dearly-loved inheritance, what was her surprise and dismay to find it all in the hand of strangers. Here is a test of faith! Surely she had committed all that she left behind to God's care, confident that He would protect it during her enforced absence, and now it looked as if the worst had been allowed to happen, for her home and land had been taken over by the crown, and others placed there by the order of the unscrupulous Jehoram. But she is to prove further what God can do for her. She is a woman of prompt action, as she had shown on a previous occasion, and does not now give way to a helpless grief. Instead, with her son as her companion, she immediately makes the journey from Shunem to Samaria, to plead in person to the king for her home and lands.
Quite unknown to her, God in His watchful love goes before her on that journey to the palace, smoothing all difficulties, and preparing the heart of the monarch to receive her request.
People speak of "coincidences," but the child of God can often see in these the hand of the Lord, divinely arranging on his behalf, and so it was in this case.
Gehazi is in the king's presence at the very time that the Shunammite and her son reach the capital, and make their way to the palace. Also the king suddenly becomes possessed with a desire to have Elisha's miracles and great deeds recounted to him by Gehazi, who readily does so.
Just at the moment that Gehazi is relating how Elisha raised the Shunammite's son to life, the woman and her boy are ushered into the king's presence. Gehazi's astonished gaze recognizes them and he exclaims, "My lord, 0 king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life." The king appeals to the Shunammite for a confirmation of Gehazi's statement, and when she assures him of its truth, his interest in her is awakened, and he immediately orders that not only shall a full restitution be made of all her property, but also that the worth of its produce during the time of her absence should be given her. An officer was also commissioned to see the king's order carried out.
How wonderfully God works for the simplest soul that trusts Him! The hearts of the greatest monarchs are in His hand, and are moved to carry out His purposes when He so wills it.
Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Most likely this text has not been proofread. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.