Beauty, Brains & Blessedness

She woke up early but decided to sleep in, she looked at the time and decided to just take her time and not rush through her day in her usual manner. She has fashioned her routine in such a way that she wakes up, get her maids to assist in preparing her husband's breakfast, set up the place as if a king is coming to dine. She sits with him to make sure he is comfortable and satisfied. Today, her husband is off on a business trip and will not return till late in the evening.

 

One of her male servants, knocked gently on the door, "Madam, shalom", he smiled and bowed. "Shalom, she replied, is anything the matter Asaph"? "Yes, No, emm, yes Maam" he stammered. "Speak freely" she said. "There is an emergency, we all are in grave danger". She sat up in her bed and blinked repeatedly, "What is the matter"? "Master was quite mean to a man who saved us in the field, and the man is a warrior", he added. "Oh, my" she shouted, hurrying out of bed at the same time.

 

By now you probably get the picture, yes, it is the story of Abigail in the bible, the pretty woman who was married to a Fool...

Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction".

 

I have always been fascinated by the story of this beautiful, intelligent and well behaved woman and how she found herself in the house of a world renowned fool. Practically everyone knew how foolish Nabal was, even his servants were aware of the extent of their master's folly. Nevertheless, this woman had a record of being a diligent, submissive woman. Her understanding of her world coupled with her very good manners and initiative made her remarkable.

 

There is no doubt about the fact that Abigail had a difficult,stressful,embarrassing marriage. You ask how I know? If you are married to a man who finds spending money or giving synonymous to aspirating blood from his veins, then you will understand how difficult it must have been to be in the house of plenty and still find the owner or man of the house whining and complaining about everything that goes to someone hungry.

 

Abigail was a very sweet woman, approachable and down to earth, otherwise, her servants would have been too scared to intimate her with the details of what Nabal said and David's looming wrath. She was the kind of Madam that was respected and revered because she had listening ears and made her servants comfortable. She was the kind of Madam who could tell when her servants were downcast and had a kind word for each one of them. Without any doubt, the servants too would have gossipped severally about how Madam could be married to "Oga" (Master) of all people...

Abigail was an extremely smart woman, she could think on her feet, initiative and knew what was right for every occasion. She summoned up courage, prepared what would touch the heart of a hungry and angry man with his men. Have you wondered why she did not consult Nabal about her plan or even let him know what was determined against their household? She knew he was going to mess the whole thing up! She was not focused on how she got into a bad relationship but she lived everyday making the best of it. She did not whine or complain but she spent time, looking her best, improving and increasing her knowledge of God by studying scriptures.

The question that bugs my mind every time I read about Abigail is; how could a woman in a bad situation know what God had on schedule? How could she have lived her life, wrapped in the word of God when her situation was not so pleasant? God deals with our hearts...even if you live in a mansion and conducive environment but your heart is haughty, lifted up you will be far from God. Abigail, a beautiful and pleasant woman who lived in an unpleasant circumstance chose to locate her heart in the word of God. She probably could not allow other women into her life because of the mess and ridicule she would be exposing herself to. Afterall, her husband had warned her about waste, giving things away reduces you, according to rich, foolish Nabal. She decided to hide her heart in the word of God, understand His plan and align herself with destiny. Do not allow your situation to limit you or cause you to digress from fulfilling your purpose in life.

 

Perhaps you have heard that you have to look good, wear make up to enhance your looks. These are all good things to do but if you do not study who your partner is, how you can better live with him, you will only manage to multiply your frustration about living with him. A woman who has emotional intelligence and reads to increase her understanding about her world will successfully navigate through tough times. Abigail, knew the promise God has made unto David, she struck a cord in his heart when she told him not to soil his hands with the blood of Nabal, she was able to discern that her husband would die of natural causes.

 

Abigail was able to prophesy into her own future in her difficult situation because she was well read and she knew how to pacify an fuming warrior. I can only imagine the look and feeling David had when he heard that Nabal had died and quickly too. Increase your knowledge of the word of God for your situation, desist from fighting your own battle, allow God and watch Him win your battle for you without you soiling your hands with blood. Learn at the feet of Jesus  and you will rise to your full height in God! Enhance your beauty, increase your knowledge and constantly be a blessing to all around you. You will only be paving a way to greatness and lasting joy because when you do that, you will be delighting the heart of God.

Blessings!