In the "better late than never" category - thank you for your patience! - I would like to recap our last Saturday study session. Hopefully, you have been able to get into the homework for Week 3 – A Raging Passion for Honor and have connected well with Scenario #3 – It's tough being a woman in a mean world.
If you recall in the last session, Beth traced the history between the nation of Israel and the Amalekites, exposing the roots of the rivalry and the reason for the meanness Haman, the Amalekite, displayed toward Mordecai, THE JEW -
- Deuteronomy 25:18 tell us that the Amalekites "had no fear of God"
- Exodus 17:16 tells us "the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation
- 1 Samuel 15 shows us that Israel disobeyed God's instructions to wipe the Amalekites out completely.
We also learned some things about meanness. Meanness –
- always has a history. . . there is always a reason
- perceives a threat . . . insecurity is at the heart of every rivalry
- catches like a virus . . . but it is curable!
One major thought we were left with was that there isn't just a "Haman" out there - there is a "Haman" inside ourselves - and we have a choice to ask God for the power to quit the competition and leave the battle to Him.
Romans 12:17-19 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath . . .
Bless you . . . it's been a long two and a half weeks since we've been together and I am looking forward to seeing you all this Saturday! Jan : )
