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THERE IS much instruction in this Special Issue on why and how to study the Bible, but sisters may feel that it is just the brethren who are being addressed. After all, we do not exhort or give public addresses. We do not give special studies or speak at fraternals. So what is the point of our studying? How many brethren study just for their own benefit? Salvation is not dependent on how much we know. These may be some of our reactions. But they are just excuses, as we realise on reflection.
Sisters play a vital role in teaching our young ones, both in the home and in Sunday School and Youth Group activities. The more we understand the Bible, the better we are fitted for these tasks. We also have opportunity from time to time to speak to others of the Truth, when a brother is not at hand. If we are not well versed in the Scripture ourselves, we are ill equipped to "walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:5,6).
Encouragement for the timid brother is another aspect of a sister’s opportunity for service. We have the example of Deborah, without whose support Barak was unwilling to go to battle at the Lord’s command (Judg. 4). Deborah knew the commandment of the Lord and helped Barak to obey it. We can help each other with encouraging words when the occasion arises: "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad" (Prov. 12:25); "a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" (15:23). We can do these things only if we know the Word.
There are a number of examples in Scripture of godly women who quoted the Scriptures in time of need. Hannah, in 1 Samuel 2, quotes from Exodus and Deuteronomy. Abigail, in 1 Samuel 25, quotes from Scripture and gives godly counsel to David. Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Luke 1, quotes extensively from Hannah’s prayer and from many psalms. This knowledge of God’s Word was a part of these women’s thinking, and we can be encouraged by these and many other examples to go to the Scriptures in our time of need.
We hope to be among the Bride of Christ, and as such we need to prepare ourselves. We must be "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Rev. 21:2), and as "the bride, the Lamb’s wife... descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God" (vv. 9-11). So also Moses’ face shone with the reflected glory of the Lord when he went in before the Lord to speak with Him (Ex. 34:29-35).
Delighting in the Word of God is to please God, and prepare us for the Kingdom. Reading, hearing and meditating on God’s Word will cause us to reflect the Lord in our lives and thus be recognised by our Lord when he comes. There are many preparations before a marriage, but none more than the preparing of the bride to delight her husband.
The Song of Solomon gives us a beautiful portrayal of the love of the Lord for his Bride, and her loving response to him. So, by our own application to the Word, we may echo, "Make haste, my beloved" (Song 8:14); and, "the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely... Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:17,20).
E. Ransome