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The Wisdom of Abigail

I’ve been reading much about wisdom these days. It’s mentioned about 45 times (depending on the version) in the book of Proverbs alone.
Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
~ Proverbs 4:5-7, NIV
When God sends a message that clearly, I sit up and take note. “What now, Lord?” I ponder. “How can I apply wisdom to my ministry?” (That ministry being the noble wife of my husband, a leader of four children and keeper of our home).

Looking to the Greek translation for clarification on wisdom, we find “sophia,” which is why we see words like philosophy, a combination of “philo” (brotherly love) and “sofia.” The shortened version of the word (wise) can be found in sophisticated and sophomore. Ever wonder why some teeth are called “wisdom teeth?” It’s because we get them at the onset of maturity.

Dictionary.com defines wisdom this way: Knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity [level headedness], discernment, or insight.

Throughout scripture, wisdom and understanding are found hand in hand. Wisdom is the fear of the Lord, while understanding is that wisdom in practice.

“How can I apply wisdom to my ministry, Lord?”

In silent reverence I wait until I feel His guidance lead through a whisper, “Seek me until My truth is living, moving, and breathing in your home; until the righteousness of my Word is coupled with each step you take; and until My wisdom exceeds your desire. That’s what you’re called to do.”

Looking to His word for example I find Abigail in 1 Samuel chapter 25. Abigail was the wife of Nabal, and while she was a woman of good understanding and beauty, the Bible describes him as churlish. In other words, he was rude, impolite, hot-headed and lacked the wisdom his wife had.

In verses 7 and 16 we see that David had protected Nabal’s shepherds and was now asking for a reasonable favor in return: that Nabal would give them provisions when they arrived.

Nabal was rich, and so it certainly wouldn’t have been any trouble for him to comply, but instead of being wise and generous, he chose to be rude, which only provoked David to fight.

Gathering an army of 400 men, David set out to destroy Nabal’s household, and had it not been for the wisdom of one woman he would have.

Recognizing that David was a servant of the Lord, Abigail sent a generous gift to David, and with that gift she humbled herself at his feet pleading for the life of her husband. She didn’t deny that Nabal was ill-mannered or rude, but she sought grace on his behalf.

In this beautiful love story, we see that David granted her that grace, and within ten days God took the life of Nabal, and rewarded Abigail with her freedom.

Where did that freedom lead her? Into the arms of David, a valiant soldier and soon-to-be king.

Through Abigail’s example, we see the cycle of wisdom in action:

She realized that David was a holy man and what his God was capable of.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

She avoided conflict.
“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” (Proverbs 14:16)

She worked quietly to resolve the problem.
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” (Proverbs 29:11)

She put her understanding into action and offered a gift to David.
“He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” (Proverbs 10:5)

She reaped the rewards that come to those who are wise, when she became David’s wife.
“The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” (Proverbs 3:35)
You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

The Servant - By Johnny King

THE SERVANT


I could never forget the shame I felt when I discovered it was Jesus who had washed my feet.

We were all arguing about who was the greatest among us, vigorously defending our right to the best positions in the coming kingdom. When someone came sliding along the floor to wash my feet I never gave it a second thought, assuming it was the household servant. It was Peter who realized it first, and drew our attention to Him in his usual emotional outburst. While we were all occupied with pride and arrogance, fussing and fighting about place and position, Jesus, the Master was on the floor washing our feet.

How could we have been so stupid and insensitive? He had just told us that He was about to be betrayed by one of us, that He would suffer and His blood would be shed. But instead of thinking of Him in His time of greatest need we thought only of ourselves and our own selfish desires.

When He was through and had sat back down at the table He told us that we should wash each other's feet. He said that He had given us an example so that we would do as He had done to us and that we would be happy if we did.

After He left and then I received His spirit, I wanted to be more like Him. I began to wash feet. Whenever I had the opportunity I would wash someone's feet. At first my friends made fun of me. They suspected my motives. But as I continued, most of them learned to accept me and many came to expect it. They took for granted that I would wash their feet. I did. Some people felt that I owed it to them. I felt that I owed it to Jesus.

It was not always easy to wash feet. I was accustomed to looking at people eye to eye, not eye to toe. It took quite an attitude adjustment. I had to overcome the bad feelings I felt when washing the feet of someone who did not appreciate what I was doing. Sometimes I would get a kind word but most often I would not. I had trouble with the feet of those who treated me like a servant until I accepted the fact that I was a servant.

It became a way of life for me. My hands became soft and always seemed to be clean. It seemed to me that my heart stayed soft and clean also. I discovered that it's hard to argue on your knees. It's also more difficult to be proud.

I thought I had finally lost all my pride and was truly a servant and could sincerely wash anybody's feet. But then I came to some feet that were so dirty and so stained that I was repulsed. I'd washed dirty feet before, but these seemed virtually caked with rust. They looked as though they had walked around the world bare. The filth of centuries seemed to cling to them. These were obviously the feet of one much lower than I.

Pride that I didn't know I had rose up within me. Feelings that I thought were long dead let me know they were alive and well. I was shocked at my own reaction to these filthy feet. Old familiar feelings stirred in me and jogged my memory. I had a sense of déjà vu.

I was back in the old room, sitting at the table. I was vigorously defending my right to the best and highest position. I was arguing with the others about who was the greatest. Then I discovered Jesus had washed my feet as I jostled for position.

All my shame came flooding back. Red faced and teary eyed I knelt and touched the dirty feet. Remembering that Jesus, my master had washed my feet while I was consumed with pride and arrogance, I began to scrape at the substance that was caked on these feet. Soon the water in the basin was stained a dirty, rusty brown. Slowly the true color of the feet began to emerge.

One stubborn spot would not come clean. I lifted the foot from the brackish water. I wiped the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand so I could better see. I rubbed the spot on the foot. I splashed water over it. Then, more gently I touched it. A scar ...

I reached for the other foot, a matching scar. Gasping, I looked up - into the face of, Jesus! He was smiling. He said, "Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many. Enter into the joy of your Lord." Luke 22:24-27 John 13:4-17