Matthew 1:18
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” She. She was a virgin, yet she was with child. Matthew 1:23 “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” She was the vessel God chose to fulfill the prophecy that Isaiah had spoken. Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” She was confused at first. Luke 1:34 “Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” She was overshadowed by the Holy Ghost. Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her, 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.” She remained pure until she gave birth to Jesus. Matthew 1:25 “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” Mary the Mother of Jesus serves as an example that nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 25-26 | Mark 7 | Psalm 82-83
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Hosea 2:6
“Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.” She. She left her husband. Hosea 2:7 “And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.” She left Hosea and became a slave. Hosea 2:15 “And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” She left Hosea, but he loved her still. Hosea 3:1 “Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.” He redeemed her back to himself. Hosea 3:2 “So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:” She is a picture of the nation of Israel that was separated from Judah. She is also a picture of us. When we were lost in our sin, our own Door of Hope came and redeemed us back when we could not save ourselves. Gomer serves as an example of how Christ loves us and wants to redeem us just as Hosea redeemed her. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 23-24 | Mark 6 | Psalm 80-81 Isaiah 3:26
“And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.” She. She reaped the consequences of her poor choices. Isaiah 3:16-17 “Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.” The Lord will one day remove the beauty of our ornamental goods if we place them above Him. Isaiah 3:18-23 “In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, The rings, and nose jewels, The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.” Her priorities did not please the Lord. Isaiah 3:24 “And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.” Zion’s Daughters serve as an example that we should not put fashion above our faith. Their downfall was a result of their confused priorities. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 21-22 | Mark 5 | Psalm 78-79 Proverbs 31:26
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” She. She is the mother of King Lemuel, most likely who we know as Solomon. She is more precious than rubies. Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” She is trusted by her husband. Proverbs 31:11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.” She is faithful to her husband. Proverbs 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.” She works willingly with her hands. Proverbs 31:13 “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” She is resourceful. Proverbs 31:14 “She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.” She rises with purpose. Proverbs 31:15 “She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.” She considers before making decisions. Proverbs 31:16 “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.” She is physically strong. Proverbs 31:17 “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” She shines her Light. Proverbs 31:18 “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” She is diligent to labour. Proverbs 31:19 “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” She reaches out to others. Proverbs 31:20 “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” She is covered by the Blood of Jesus. Proverbs 31:21 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” She is clothed in service. Proverbs 31:22 “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” She serves with her husband. Proverbs 31:23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” She delivers the Gospel. Proverbs 31:24 “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” She is spiritually strong and honourable. Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” She speaks kindly. Proverbs 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” She has no time for idleness. Proverbs 31:27 “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” She is blessed and praised. Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” She excels by Wisdom. Proverbs 31:29 “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” She makes choosing to fear the Lord a priority. Proverbs 31:30 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” She leaves a legacy. Proverbs 31:31 “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” The Virtuous Woman serves as an example of what we should strive to become with the help of the Lord. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 19-20 | Mark 4 | Psalm 76-77 Esther 4:8
“Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.” She. She was placed there at a specific time for a specific purpose. Esther 4:14 “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” God creates divine appointments. Where we are right now is for a purpose! She asked her people to fast and pray for her. Esther 4:16 “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” She was brave. She was even willing to die if that was the will of God. She was used of God to save her people. Esther is also an example of how God can empower us to do great things for His glory. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 17-18 | Mark 3 | Psalm 74-75 Esther 2:17
“And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.” She. She required nothing when it was her turn to go unto the king. Esther 2:15 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.” The king loved her more than all the other women. So much so that she obtained grace and favour in his sight. She received the royal crown which made her queen. She was obedient to Mordecai. She still had not revealed that she was a Jew. Esther 2:20 “Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.” Esther also serves as an example that we are able to obtain grace and favour in the sight of our King. Psalm 75:6-7 “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.” He will also promote us if only we are willing and obedient unto Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 15-16 | Mark 2 | Psalm 72-73 Esther 2:7
“And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.” She. She was also known as Hadassah. Her uncle, Mordecai, raised her after her parents were dead. When the king appointed his officers to gather together the fair young virgins of the kingdom, Mordecai brought her up to the palace. Esther 2:9 “And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.” Many maidens were brought before King Ahasuerus, yet it was Esther who pleased him. God had ordered her footsteps and placed her exactly where she was for a specific reason, exactly when she needed to be there. She had not yet shown or told that she was a Jew. Esther 2:10-11 “Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it. And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.” Esther serves as an example to us that God will direct our steps and use us according to His purpose if only we will surrender our lives to Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-14 | Mark 1 | Psalm 70-71 2 Kings 4:26
“Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.” She. She had prepared a room for Elisha to stay in while he passed by. This is where we get the term “prophet’s chamber”. Because of her faithfulness to care for the man of God, she was blessed abundantly. 2 Kings 4:16-17 “And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.” She was given a son, just as Elisha had said. Her son developed a health issue. 2 Kings 4:18-20 “And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.” She knew where to go to find help. 2 Kings 4:21-22 “And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.” She desired for the Lord to intervene in her situation. 2 Kings 4:32-33 “And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.” She had laid the child upon the bed that she had prepared for the man of God in faith that she would see him healed. Elisha came and sought the Lord to help him. 2 Kings 4:34-36 “And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.” She was given back her son, and worshipped the Lord at the feet of the prophet. 2 Kings 4:37 “Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” The Shunammite Woman also serves as an example that our faithfulness to the Lord and His work will result in blessings and miracles taking place within our lives. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 11-12 | Ephesians 6 | Psalm 68-69 2 Kings 4:8
“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.” She. She perceived that Elisha was a man of God. 2 Kings 4:9 “And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.” She must have seen him often to know that he passed by their way frequently. She saw the opportunity to do something for him that would honor the Lord. 2 Kings 4:10 “Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” She and her husband made a room specifically for Elisha to stay in when he was in town. The Shunammite Woman serves as an example to us of how important it is to honor those who faithfully serve the Lord. If we will honor God’s people, He will honor us. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 9-10 | Ephesians 5 | Psalm 66-67 2 Kings 4:5
“So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.” She. She owed a great debt. 2 Kings 4:1 “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.” She knew where to go to get help. 2 Kings 4:2 “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” Elisha told her to do something illogical. 2 Kings 4:3-4 “Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.” She chose to obey what the man of God said. She risked all she had. 2 Kings 4:6 “And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.” The oil stayed because she had faith. God provided a solution to her problem. 2 Kings 4:7 “Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.” She allowed God to guide her to the right people. She chose to obey in faith what she was told to do. She saw the Lord provide exactly what she needed. The Widow With Oil serves as an example to us that it pays to ask the Lord to guide us and willingly obey in faith even those things which seem irrational. Where God guides, He provides. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 7-8 | Ephesians 4 | Psalm 64-65 |
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