We cannot know the mind of the Lord (see Romans 11:33-36), but scripture reveals five reasons in the story of Israel’s Exodus for why God allowed hard times in their lives. His heart behind each reason is his glory, which remains true for his people today (see Romans 8:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make himself known.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
God predetermined Pharaoh\u2019s ten-plague, hard-hearted standoff with Moses so that the Egyptians would know he was the Lord and there was none like him in all the earth; to show his power, that his name would be proclaimed in all the earth; so his people would tell of his might and miracles to future generations; and, so his own people would know him as LORD (see Exodus 7:3-5, 8:10, 9:14-16, and 10:1-2).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When deliverance is delayed, God\u2019s plan may be to manifest himself to us and others by wondrous works displayed in unwanted circumstances (see John 9:1-3). He may even allow multiplied hardships to multiply his wonders and our assurance that he\u2019s Lord of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To distinguish his people.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Humanity exists within the reality of common grace and common suffering (see Psalm 145:9), but God distinguishes his people from the world by his goodness and faithfulness to them (see Exodus 8:22-23). Plagues of hail, darkness, locusts, and death struck the land of Egypt but not Goshen, the land of their slavery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adversity is part of life on earth, but as God\u2019s children, we can expect him to unmistakably demonstrate his lovingkindness, faithfulness, goodness, and favor to us, even in trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To protect and provide for his people.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Having applied the Passover blood to their doorposts, it was time for the Israelites to leave, but not before they plundered the Egyptians (see Exodus 11:2-3 and 12:35-36). God protected them by the blood and provided abundantly for their exit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if the Lord provides in unexpected and even unwelcome ways and we\u2019re tempted to doubt his goodness and faithfulness, we must remember we can still trust him to remain with us, lead and guide us, and supply our every need (see Deuteronomy 31:8, Exodus 13:22, and Matthew 6:25-34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can also trust his ways because they are <\/em><\/strong>perfect (see Deuteronomy 32:4), even if they appear flawed. Pre-wilderness, the Lord took his people the long way to the Promised Land so the threat of war wouldn\u2019t reverse their course back to Egypt (see Exodus 13:17-18). When they approached the Promised Land a second time, God promised to expel its inhabitants \u201clittle by little\u201d to prevent desolation and rampant wild beasts (see Exodus 23:29-30).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When disappointment entices us to doubt God, we can remember his undeniable, unprescribed faithfulness to his people throughout history, including us. He never changes or shifts with the shadows or times (see Malachi 3:6 and James 1:17), nor does he play favorites (see Acts 10:34 and Romans 2:11). Who he has been is who he is and always will be (see Hebrews 13:8): faithful, trustworthy, and good\u2014every moment, to every child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God tests his people and proves us through trials, but he doesn\u2019t trick, tempt, or forsake us. Old Testament, New, and now, the Lord allows trials to determine our greatest love (see Genesis 22:1-12), to know whether we\u2019ll walk in his ways (see Exodus 16:4), to intimately know and reveal what\u2019s in our hearts (see 2 Chronicles 32:31 and Psalm 139:23-24), and to prove our faithfulness (see Job 23:10).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When situations shake our faith, we often ask, \u201cWhy, God!?!? Why me? Why this? Why now?\u201d Perhaps a more fruitful question is, \u201cHow, God? How do you want me to see and know you? How can I be faithful to you? How can you be known in this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Three months post-exodus, God etched the Ten Commandments on tablets of stone\u2014the first of which was, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3 ESV)\u2014while the Israelites impatiently crafted gods of gold (Exodus 32:1-4), which resulted in a plague. They chose idols instead of God, as we often do, and it ended in adversity (see 2 Chronicles 7:22). His people endlessly faltered between God and idols, which resulted in enemy invasions, captivity, and eventually exile. God didn’t hate them or randomly manufacture misfortune. Their choices did. He repeatedly warned, reminded, relented, and forgave, and then loved them enough to allow disaster to draw them back to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe wages of sin is death\u201d (Romans 6:23 ESV). If we choose sin over God, God isn\u2019t to blame when our choices subject us to God\u2019s pre-disclosed consequences. Should we face self-inflicted suffering, God\u2019s heart for us hasn\u2019t changed. His compassion fails not, even as he waits for us to repent and return to him (see Psalm 40:11, 103:8, 136:1, and Lamentations 3:22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n When hard happens, may God\u2019s promises intersect our experience as we fix our eyes on him, recall the truth of his Word, track record, and testimony, and move forward in faith and obedience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Comparison ensnares us in the condemning trap of “not enough.” Here are 3 checks to kick comparison to the curb.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":1885,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[29,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1856","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-women","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nTo test what’s in our hearts, whether or not we\u2019ll walk in his ways.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
To reconcile us to himself.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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