from Rachel: Ashes Instead of Honor

This week’s memory verse is Isaiah 61:3

“‘And provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.’”

Identify why each of the following covered themselves in ashes:

Esther 3:8-9; 4:1 – “Mordecai was grieving in advance for his people over the threat of an impending genocide.”
Job 42:1-6 – “Job was showing humble repentance in the presence of God’s glory.”
Daniel 9:1-3 – “Daniel was humbly pleading with God for an early release for his people from their captivity.”

How about you? Describe tangible ways you practice your morning over sin, loss, or concern for others.

“At IWU, our weekly Wednesday chapel service, incorporated Ash Wednesday, each year, so four times I did have ashes on my head. Sometimes I still follow Beth’s advice from ‘Stepping Up’ and prepare to pray by taking my place on my face.”

Describe the emotions the tragedy of Tamar stirs in you.

“Anger, disgust and righteous indignation towards Amnon; grief and pity towards Tamar; some anger and frustration toward David for not taking some disciplinary action as father and king over a heinously sinning son and subject.”

In what ways did Tamar symbolize and express her grief?

“She put ashes on her head and tore her ornamental robe which represented her virginity.”

What is your personal opinion regarding the advice Absalom gave Tamar?

“I think he told her to bury her feelings and keep the incident a secret, which is never healthy advice. Also, the Levitical punishment should have been cutting Amnon off from all of Israel, not just from Absalom.”

Even though Tamar’s brother Absalom loved her, he could not restore her dignity. How does scripture characterize Tamar’s life at Absalom’s?

“‘Tamar lived… a desolate woman.’”

Those of us who have received Christ are literally daughters of royalty.

Can you list any evidences suggesting the demoralization of women in our society?

“Ads with scantily clad women that would’ve made our great grandmothers faint from shock; movies and TV shows depicting every form of immoral behavior and mistreatment by men; little girls play with Barbies, whose proportions would in actual size defy the laws of physics, yet they dream of achieving them.”

Read Ephesians 6:12. Who is our struggle against?

“Not flesh and blood, but rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”

Take a look at Isaiah 6:1-4. By what other descriptions could you call “the Lord seated on the throne” based on your knowledge of scripture?

“King of kings
“Lord of hosts
“the Holy One
“Creator of the universe
“Sovereign Ruler of all the earth
“your personal Heavenly Father.”

Conclude your lesson today by reading aloud Psalm 45:13-15. That, my dear sister in Christ, is your destiny.

All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
    with her virgin companions following behind her.
With joy and gladness they are led along
    as they enter the palace of the king. (ESV)

Dearest Rachel –

At the point in time you were going through this particular study, you had yet to endure any mourning worth noting; not only had you not lost either of your parents, but you had not (and thankfully, never did) find yourself needing to confront and repent of any serious sin committed by or against you.

Tamar’s circumstances are still alien to us personally (although what’s going on elsewhere in the world at the present moment aren’t that far removed – or worse – compared to it), but of course, we have had much to mourn in the intervening years, essentially because of the effects of those years. People grow old, and then they must leave us; while some of us aren’t given the chance to grow old (although that may have some advantages all its own).

I wouldn’t say it’s a coincidence, but our current sermon series at church has been on the Beatitudes, and we just went through the one about “those who mourn,” who “will be comforted.” Interestingly, the lesson wasn’t so much about those of us who find ourselves bewailing a physical loss (although, thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we have comfort in the fact that such a loss is not for ever, after all; we have a hope that others don’t) as it was about those who are truly remorseful about their own sins, and seek to turn away from them and live a life more pleasing to God. As with the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the comfort comes in the fact that the latter, owing to his penitence, is the one who leaves the Temple grounds justified. If we adopt a similar attitude and subsequent resolve, we too can find the peace and comfort promised to us.

Of course, for all I know, you’re already experiencing this comfort and glory, much like the princess in her chamber, preparing to meet her King and Groom. I wish I could see what it is like; although, perhaps it’s something that we all get to experience together – I’ve no idea how time works on the other side of the veil.