Handmaiden of YHWH
By Debra
Brandt
Webster’s Definition:
Handmaiden- A woman or girl servant or attendant – that which accompanies in a useful but subordinate capacity
Servant – A person ardently devoted to another or to a cause, creed etc.
YHWH is raising up handmaidens in these last days to be vessels for His glory.
Vines definition:
Handmaiden – Also translated in the Greek, Bondman, Servant or Bondservant
To bind a slave, originally the lowest term in the scale of servitude, came also to mean one who gives him/her self up
To the will of another. In the Epistles (1 Cor 7:23, Romans 6:17, 20) it became the most common and general
Word for “servant” without any idea of bondage
In calling himself however, a bondslave of Yeshua Ha Mashiach, Rav Shaul (Romans 1:1) intimates
#1. that he had been formerly a bond slave of ha satan.
#2. That having been bought by Messiah, he was now a willing slave, bound to his new master.
Luke 1:26-56 (HNV) – Miriam/Mary yielded herself totally
to YHWH wills for her life as His handmaiden:
Luk 1:26 Now in the sixth
month, the angel Gavri'el was sent from God to a city of the Galil, named
Natzeret,
Luk 1:27 to a virgin pledged
to be married to a man whose name was Yosef, of the house of David. The
virgin's name was Miriam.
Luk 1:28 Having come in, the
angel said to her, "Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women!"
Luk 1:29 But when she saw him,
she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation
this might be.
Luk 1:30 The angel said to
her, "Don't be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 Behold, you will
conceive in your womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Yeshua.'
Luk 1:32 He will be great, and
will be called the Son of the Elyon. The Lord God will give him the throne of
his father, David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign
over the house of Ya`akov forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
Luk 1:34 Miriam said to the
angel, "How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
Luk 1:35 The angel answered
her, "The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Elyon will
overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called
the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 Behold, Elisheva,
your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth
month with her who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For everything spoken
by God is possible."
Luk 1:38 Miriam said,
"Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your
word." The angel departed from her.
Luk 1:39 Miriam arose in those
days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Yehudah,
Luk 1:40 and entered into the
house of Zekharyah and greeted Elisheva.
Luk 1:41 It happened, when
Elisheva heard Miriam's greeting, that the baby leaped in her womb, and
Elisheva was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:42 She called out with a
loud voice, and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the
fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 Why am I so favored,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the
voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy!
Luk 1:45 Blessed is she who
believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken
to her from the Lord!"
Luk 1:46 Miriam said, "My
soul magnifies the Lord.
Luk 1:47 My spirit has
rejoiced in God my Savior,
Luk 1:48 for he has looked at
the humble state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will
call me blessed.
Luk 1:49 For he who is mighty
has done great things for me. Holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 His mercy is for
generations of generations on those who fear him.
Luk 1:51 He has shown strength
with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
Luk 1:52 He has put down
princes from their thrones. And has exalted the lowly.
Luk 1:53 He has filled the
hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
Luk 1:54 He has given help to
Yisra'el, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
Luk 1:55 As he spoke to our
fathers, to Avraham and his seed forever."
Luk 1:56 Miriam stayed with
her about three months, and then returned to her house.
Jeremiah 18:2-4 – His vessel. How can we be YHWH’s handmaiden to glorify Him? When a vessel was marred, it was not thrown away, the clay was crushed together and returned to the wheel and the work began again. This continued until the clay took on the shape the potter attended. Be clay in the Potters hand, let him mold you and make you the Woman of YHWH you were meant to be.
Jer 18:2 Arise, and go down to
the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear my words.
Jer 18:3 Then I went down to
the potter's house, and behold, he was making a work on the wheels.
Jer 18:4 When the vessel that
he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again
another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
YHWH is not looking for ability, but for availability
and then He will give the ability and all glorr will go to Him.
Proverbs 31:10-31
1.
Morally perfect – vs 10
2.
Invaluable- vs 10
3.
Trustworthy –vs 11
4.
Inherently good and true – vs 12
5.
Ingenious, proficient – vs 13
6.
Thrifty – vs 14
7.
Dutiful-considerate-vs 15
8.
Versatile-judicious – vs 16
9.
Tireless- healthy-vs 17
10.Joyful-efficient-vs 18
11. Watchful-cautious – vs. 18
12.Skilful & Thrifty-vs
19
13.Charitable &
benevolent-vs20
14.Generous &
Merciful-vs 20
15.Fearless, proficient – vs
21
16.Clever at decorating and
furnishing
17.Refined in taste-vs 22
18.Respected & popular –
vs 23
19.Industrious &
prosperous-vs 24
20.
Dependable-honest –vs25
21.Confident-hopeful-vs 25
22.
Wise-discreet – vs 26
23.
Kind and understanding-vs 26
24.
Prudent- Practical-vs 27
25.
Energetic-ever active-vs 27
26.
An ideal wife & mother –vs 28
27.
Honored by her family-vs 27-28
28.
Excels in Virtue-vs 28
29.
G-d fearing- humble – vs 30
30.
Deserving-successful – vs 31
31.Honored by the public- vs
31
Amplified Bible footnote
on the above scripture:
It
is most unfortunate that this description of Gods ideal woman is usually
confied in readers minds merely to it literal sense. Her ability as a
homemaker, as in the picture o fMartha of Bethan in Luke 10:38-42. But it is
obvious that far more then that is
meant. When the summary of what makes
her value far above rubies is given (Prov 31:30) it is her spiritual life only
that is mentioned. One can almost hear
the voice of Yeshua/Jesus saying “Mary has chosen the good portion.. which
shall not be taken away from her” “Many daughters have done…nobley and
well//but you excel them all” What a glowing description here recorded of this
woman in private life this capable intelligent and virtuous woman of Proverbs
31. It means she had done more than
Miriam, the one who led a nation of woman in praise to YHWH (Ex 15:20-21),
Deborah, the patriotic military advisor (Judges 4:4-10) Ruth the woman of
constancy (Ruth 1:16). Hannah, the ideal mother (! Sam 1:20), the Shunnamite,
the hospitable woman (11 Kings 4:8-10) Huldah, the woman who revealed YHWH’s
secret message to nation leaders (11 Kings 22:14) and even more than Queen
Esther, the woman who risked sacrificing her life for her people (Esther
4:16). In what way did she excel them
all? In her spiritual and practical devotion to YHWH, which permeated every
area and relationship of her life. All
seven of the Christian/Messianic virtues (11 Peter 1:5) are there , like a
colored thread in a tapestry. Her
secret which is open to everyone is the Ruach HaKodesh climax to the story and
to this book. In Proverbs 31:30 it
becomes clear that the “reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord” which is the
beginning (the chief and choice part of Wisdom (Prov 9:10) is put forth as the
true foundation for a life which is valued by YHWH and her husband as “far
above rubies or pearls” Proverbs 31:10
II.
Crowning Qualities of YHWH’s Handmaiden
1 Samuel 1:10-15 – Hannah, a woman of prayer, poured out her heart to
YHWH. A woman of faith who kept her word.
1Sa 1:10 She was in bitterness
of soul, and prayed to the LORD, and wept sore.
1Sa 1:11 She vowed a vow, and
said, the LORD of Armies, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your
handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your
handmaid a boy, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and
there shall no razor come on his head.
1Sa 1:12 It happened, as she
continued praying before the LORD, that `Eli marked her mouth.
1Sa 1:13 Now Channah, she
spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore
`Eli thought she had been drunken.
1Sa 1:14 `Eli said to her, How
long will you be drunken? put away your wine from you.
1Sa 1:15 Channah answered, No,
my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor
strong drink, but I poured out my soul before the LORD.
1Sa 1:16 Don't count your
handmaid for a wicked woman; for out of the abundance of my complaint and my
provocation have I spoken hitherto.
1Sa 1:17 Then `Eli answered,
Go in peace; and the God of Yisra'el grant your petition that you have asked of
him.
1Sa 1:18 She said, Let your
handmaid find favor in your sight. So the woman went her way, and ate; and her
facial expression wasn't sad any more.
1Sa 1:19 They rose up in the
morning early, and worshiped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their
house to Ramah: and Elkana knew Channah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
Esther 4:10-17 – A woman of courage. YHWH give you the strength to do
what He has called you to do.
Est
4:10 Then Ester spoke to Hatakh, and
gave him a message to Mordekhai:
Est
4:11 "All the king's servants, and
the people of the king's provinces, know, that whoever, whether man or woman,
comes to the king into the inner court without being called, there is one law
for him, that he be put to death, except those to whom the king might hold out
the golden scepter, that he may live. I have not been called to come in to the
king these thirty days."
Est
4:12 They told to Mordekhai Ester's
words.
Est
4:13 Then Mordekhai asked them return
answer to Ester, "Don't think to yourself that you will escape in the
king's house any more than all the Jews.
Est
4:14 For if you remain silent now, then
relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and
your father's house will perish. Who knows if you haven't come to the kingdom
for such a time as this?"
Est
4:15 Then Ester asked them to answer
Mordekhai,
Est
4:16 "Go, gather together all the
Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me, and neither eat nor drink
three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast the same way. Then I
will go in to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I
perish."
Est
4:17 So Mordekhai went his way, and did
according to all that Ester had commanded him.
Luke 1:30, 38, 46 – Miriam/Mary An obedient faith, submissive to
YHWH’s will
Luk
1:31 Behold, you will conceive in your
womb, and bring forth a son, and will call his name 'Yeshua.'
Luk
1:32 He will be great, and will be
called the Son of the Elyon. The Lord God will give him the throne of his
father, David,
Luk
1:33 and he will reign over the house
of Ya`akov forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."
Luk
1:34 Miriam said to the angel,
"How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?"
Luk
1:35 The angel answered her, "The
Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Elyon will overshadow you.
Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.
Luk
1:36 Behold, Elisheva, your relative,
also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her
who was called barren.
Luk
1:37 For everything spoken by God is
possible."
Luk
1:38 Miriam said, "Behold, the
handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word." The angel
departed from her.
Luk
1:46 Miriam said, "My soul
magnifies the Lord.
Luk
1:47 My spirit has rejoiced in God my
Savior,
Luk
1:48 for he has looked at the humble
state of his handmaid. For behold, from now on, all generations will call me
blessed.
Luk
1:49 For he who is mighty has done
great things for me. Holy is his name.
Luke 2:36-37- Anna, a Prophetess and Intercessor – Hebrew – hannebiah
–a woman who prophesies
Luk
2:36 There was one Chanah, a
prophetess, the daughter of Penu'el, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great
age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,
Luk
2:37 and she had been a widow for about
eighty-four years), who didn't depart from the temple, worshipping with
fastings and petitions night and day.
Luk
2:38 Coming up at that very hour, she
gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for
redemption in Yerushalayim.
Luk
10:39 She had a sister called Miriam,
who also sat at Yeshua's feet, and heard his word.
Luk
10:40 But Marta was distracted with
much serving, and she came up to him, and said, "Lord, don't you care that
my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me."
Luk
10:41 Yeshua answered her, "Marta,
Marta, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
Luk
10:42 but one thing is needed. Miriam
has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her."
Act
16:14 A certain woman named Lydia, a
seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us;
whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by
Sha'ul.
III.
Modesty – Greek- Kosmious – orderly, well arranged,
decent, modest, a harmonious arrangement
Genesis 24:65 – Rebekkah - Modest, not a flirt
Gen
24:65 She said to the servant,
"Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?" The servant
said, "It is my master." She took her veil, and covered herself.
1
Timothy 2:9-10 – Greek, ardos, sense of shame, or honor and regard for others,
respect, reverence, self restraint, modety or bashfulness. Her witness to
unsaved (especially husband)
1Ti
2:9 In the same way, that women also
adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with
braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
1Ti
2:10 but (which becomes women
professing godliness) with good works.
Galatians
5:22-23 – She’s a woman who walks love and manifests the fruit of the spirit in
her life.
See my Study on “How’s Your Fruit Growing”.
Gal
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are
obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,
Gal
5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife,
jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,
Gal
5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness,
orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also
forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the
Kingdom of God.
Gal
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, shalom, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,
Gal
5:23 gentleness, and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Gal
5:24 Those who belong to Messiah have
crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Gal
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's
also walk by the Spirit.
Gal
5:26 Let's not become conceited,
provoking one another, and envying one another.
1Co
13:4 Love is patient and is kind; love
doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud,
1Co
13:5 doesn't behave itself
inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of
evil;
1Co
13:6 doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness,
but rejoices with the truth;
1Co
13:7 bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1Co
13:8 Love never fails. But where there
are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages,
they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
One of the “‘Sins” we woman need to deal with is the
sin of PRIDE!
Here is an excellent list that I have used in my prayer time to pinpoint areas in my life where pride has reared its ugly head. This list was put together by Nancy Leigh DeMoss of www.lifeaction.org.
How can we know if our hearts are proud or broken?
Proud people focus on the failures of others; they have a
critical, fault-finding spirit. They look at everyone else’s faults with a
microscope, but their own with a telescope. By contrast, broken people
are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need. Therefore, they can
esteem all others better than themselves.
Proud people have to prove that they are right; but broken
people are willing to yield the right to be right.
Proud people are protective of their time, their rights, and
their reputation. But broken people have yielded their rights.
Proud people want to be served and to be a success. But broken
people desire to serve others and to make them a success.
Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated. They
get wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked. But broken
people have a sense of their own unworthiness and are thrilled that God
would use them at all; they rejoice when others are lifted up.
Proud people are quick to blame others for their problems. And
they are unapproachable or defensive when criticized. But broken people
are quick to see where they were wrong in a situation; they receive criticism
with a humble, teachable spirit.
Proud people are quick to take offense; but broken people
are quick to forgive and overlook offenses.
Proud people wait for others to come and ask forgiveness when
there is a misunderstanding or conflict in a relationship. Broken people
take the initiative to be reconciled when there is a conflict; they race to the
cross and see who can get there first, no matter how wrong the other may have
been.
Proud people compare themselves to others and think they are
doing all right. They don’t think they have anything to repent of. But broken
people compare themselves to the holiness of God; they feel a desperate
need for His mercy and realize they have need of a continual heart attitude of
repentance.
Proud people don’t think they need revival--but they’re sure that
everyone else does! Broken people continually sense their need
for a fresh encounter with God.
Why would anyone want to be broken, any more than someone would want to sign up
for surgery or suffering? God’s Word teaches that brokenness brings
blessedness. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit”--i.e., the “broken
ones,” those who recognize that they are spiritually bankrupt and
poverty-stricken.
IV.
Liberality or Giver-Using
your Gifts
Exodus 35:25 – Woman used talents to weave find linen for the
Mishkan/Tabernacle
Exo
35:25 All the women who were
wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, the
blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen.
Exo
35:26 All the women whose heart stirred
them up in wisdom spun the goats' hair.
Proverbs 31:20 – Compassion for the poor
Pro
31:20 She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Luke 8:2-3- They will give all they have of themselves to The Master
Yeshua
Luk
8:2 and certain women who had been
healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Miriam who was called Magdala, from
whom seven demons had gone out;
Luk
8:3 and Yochanah, the wife of Kusa,
Herod's steward; Shoshanah; and many others; who served them from their
possessions.
John 12:3 – Nothing to costly to give in order to minister to Him
Joh
12:2 So they made him a supper there.
Marta served, but El'azar was one of those who sat at the table with him.
Joh
12:3 Miriam, therefore, took a pound of
ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Yeshua, and
wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the
ointment.
Joh
12:4 Then Yehudah Iskriot, Shim`on's
son, one of his talmidim, who would betray him, said,
Joh
12:5 "Why wasn't this ointment
sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?"
Joh
12:6 Now he said this, not because he
cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used
to steal what was put into it.
Joh
12:7 But Yeshua said, "Leave her
alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.
Acts 9:39 – Example of Dorcas – Dorcas was loved because of the help
she gave to the widows. She was industrious, a leader well loved.
Act
9:39 Kefa got up and went with them.
When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood
by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while
she was with them.
Proverbs 11:16 – Hebrew- Chin – a woman full of favor and grace
Pro 11:16 A gracious
woman obtains honor, but violent men obtain riches.
H2580
חן
chên
khane
From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness,
favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious),
pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.
Proverbs 12:4 – Hebrew –Chayel – strength of mind or
body, a morally strong woman is a crown to her husband, but the weakling
contracts and communicates such disease as being rottenness to the bone.
Pro
12:4 (KJV) A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but
she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
H2428-Virtuous
חיל
chayil
khah'-yil
From H2342; probably a force, whether of men,
means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor,
strength: - able, activity, (+) army, band of men (soldiers), company,
(great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance,
train, (+) valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).
H5850 –Crown – An emblem
of honor
עטרה
‛ăṭârâh
at-aw-raw'
From H5849; a crown: - crown.
H7538-=Rotteness
רקב
râqâb
raw-kawb'
From H7537; decay (by caries): - rottenness
(thing).
Proverbs 14:1 – The wise woman through proper
management increases the property, furniture, food and raiment of the
household, but the thriftless woman causes the blessings to depart
Pro
14:1 Every wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
Ruth 3:11 – Do people around us know that we are “virtuous”
woman by the life we live?
Ruth
3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I
will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth
know that thou art a virtuous woman.
VI – Handmaidens Ministry
11 Kings 4:10 -17– Hospitality to God’s prophet. She gave her best and YHWH blessed!
2Ki
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.
2Ki
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.
2Ki
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.
2Ki
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.
2Ki
4:11 And it fell on a day, that he came
thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
2Ki
4:12 And he said to Gehazi his servant,
Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
2Ki
4:13 And he said unto him, Say now unto
her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is
to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain
of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
2Ki
4:14 And he said, What then is
to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her
husband is old.
2Ki
4:15 And he said, Call her. And when he
had called her, she stood in the door.
2Ki
4:16 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.
2Ki
4:17 And the woman conceived, and bare
a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of
life.
Proverbs 31:20 – She respects and loves both YHWH and the poor, and is
good to all in need
Pro
31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to
the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Matthew 27:55-56 – o their honor, these woman showed more
courage and affectionate concern for there Master then the men who had promised
to die for Him. They ministered of their substance.
Mat
27:55 Many women were there watching
from afar, who had followed Yeshua from the Galil, serving him.
Mat
27:56 Among them were Miriam from
Magdala, Miriam the mother of Ya`akov and Yosi, and the mother of the sons of
Zavdai.
Luk
8:3 and Yochanah, the wife of Kusa,
Herod's steward; Shoshanah; and many others; who served them from their
possessions.
Mar
14:3 While he was at Beit-Anyah, in the
house of Shim`on the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came having an
alabaster jar of ointment of pure nard--very costly. She broke the jar, and
poured it over his head.
Mar
14:4 But there were some who were
indignant among themselves, saying, "Why has this ointment been wasted?
Mar
14:5 For this might have been sold for
more than three hundred denarii, and given to the poor." They grumbled
against her.
Mar
14:6 But Yeshua said, "Leave her
alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me.
Mar
14:7 For you always have the poor with
you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always
have me.
Mar
14:8 She has done what she could. She
has anointed my body beforehand for the burying.
Luk
7:37 Behold, a woman in the city who
was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Parush's house, she
brought an alabaster jar of ointment.
Luk
7:38 Standing behind at his feet
weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the
hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
Romans 16:1-2- Example- Phoebe was a Deaconess, attended to female
converts, helping them to get ready for the Mikva/baptism, to visit the sick
and those in prison who attended to all parts of the Congregation of Messiah
among the woman, which could not be performed by men, who probably was the bearer
of the epistle to Rom
Rom
16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our
sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,
Rom
16:2 that you receive her in the Lord,
in a way worthy of the holy ones, and that you assist her in whatever matter
she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of
my own self.
Romans 16: -3-5 – Priscilla, along with her husband had a Congregation
in their home.
Rom
16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow
workers in Messiah Yeshua,
Rom
16:4 who for my life, laid down their
own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the
Gentiles.
Rom
16:5 Greet the assembly that is in
their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to
Messiah.
Romans
16:6 – Miriam ministered to the Apostles needs. Vs 13 Rufus mother was like a
mother to Shaul
Rom
16:6 Greet Miriam, who labored much for
us.
Rom
16:13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the
Lord, and his mother and mine.
How can we minister to
Yeshua as YHWH’s handmaidens?
Mat
25:32 Before him all the nations will
be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats.
Mat
25:33 He will set the sheep on his
right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat
25:34 Then the King will tell those on
his right hand, 'Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world;
Mat 25:35 for I was hungry,
and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a
stranger, and you took me in;
Mat 25:36 naked, and you
clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to
me.'
Mat
25:37 "Then the righteous will
answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or
thirsty, and give you a drink?
Mat
25:38 When did we see you as a
stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you?
Mat
25:39 When did we see you sick, or in
prison, and come to you?'
Mar
10:43 But it shall not be so among you,
but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.
Mar
10:44 Whoever of you wants to become
first among you, shall be bondservant of all.
Matthew 13:4 – Washing feet. This was the duty of a servant. YHWH’s example to us of serving others, even
enemies
Joh
13:3 Yeshua, knowing that the Father
had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was
going to God,
Joh
13:4 arose from supper, and laid aside
his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
Joh
13:5 Then he poured water into the
basin, and began to wash the talmidim' feet, and to wipe them with the towel
that was wrapped around him.
Joh
13:6 Then he came to Shim`on Kefa. He
said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"
Joh
13:7 Yeshua answered him, "You
don't know what I am doing now, but you will understand later."
Joh 13:8 Kefa said to him,
"You will never wash my feet!" Yeshua answered him, "If I don't
wash you, you have no part with me."
Joh
13:9 Shim`on Kefa said to him,
"Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"
Joh
13:10 Yeshua said to him, "Someone
who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You
are clean, but not all of you."
Joh
13:11 For he knew him who would betray
him, therefore he said, "You are not all clean."
Joh
13:12 So when he had washed their feet,
put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do
you know what I have done to you?
Joh
13:13 You call me, 'Rabbi' and 'Lord.'
You say so correctly, for so I am.
Joh
13:14 If I then, the Lord and the
Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh
13:15 For I have given you an example,
that you also should do as I have done to you.
Joh
13:16 Most certainly I tell you, a
servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he
who sent him.
Joh
21:15 So when they had eaten their
breakfast, Yeshua said to Shim`on Kefa, "Shim`on, son of Yonah, do you
love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I
have affection for you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."
Joh
21:16 He said to him again a second
time, "Shim`on, son of Yonah, do you love me?" He said to him,
"Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you." He said to him,
"Tend my sheep."
Joh
21:17 He said to him the third time,
"Shim`on, son of Yonah, do you have affection for me?" Kefa was
grieved because he asked him the third time, "Do you have affection for
me?" He said to him, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I have
affection for you." Yeshua said to him, "Feed my sheep.
Galatians 6:1-2 – Sympathy, show mercy and love and do not browbeat a
fallen brother/sister
Gal
6:1 Brothers, even if a man is caught
in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted.
Gal
6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so
fulfill the Torah of Messiah.
Gal
6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good,
for we will reap in due season, if we don't give up.
Gal
6:10 So then, as we have opportunity,
let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of
the household of the faith.
Matthew 10:38-42 – Attitude toward new believers and children, the minutest
details of goodness will not go unrewarded
Mat
10:38 He who doesn't take his cross and
follow after me, isn't worthy of me.
Mat
10:39 He who seeks his life will lose
it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mat
10:40 He who receives you receives me,
and he who receives me receives him who sent me.
Mat
10:41 He who receives a prophet in the
name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward: and he who receives a
righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's
reward.
Mat
10:42 Whoever gives one of these little
ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a talmid, most certainly
I tell you he will in no way lose his reward."
Eph
6:7 with good will doing service, as to
the Lord, and not to men;
Eph
6:8 knowing that whatever good thing
each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is
bound or free.
Hebrews 12:28-29 – Serve YHWH with fear (reverence, Godly fear)
Heb
12:28 Therefore, receiving a Kingdom
that can't be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably,
with reverence and awe,
Heb
12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.
Joh
12:26 If anyone serves me, let him
follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the
Father will honor him.
1 Corinthians 7:22 – YHWH’s bondservant is a freeman
1Co
7:22 For he who was called in the Lord
being a bondservant is the Lord's free man. Likewise he who was called being
free is Messiah's bondservant.
1Co
7:23 You were bought with a price.
Don't become bondservants of men.
Col
3:23 And whatever you do, work
heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
Col
3:24 knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Messiah.
Col
3:25 But he who does wrong will receive
again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
Psalm 40:8 – We should delight in serving YHWH
Psa
40:8 I delight to do your will, my God.
Yes, your law is within my heart."
Psalm 126:5-6 – Law of sowing and reaping service, even though
sometimes you will be hurt by people if you keep your eyes on Yeshua you will
reap with JOY!
Psa
126:1 <<A Ma`alot SongSong of
Ascents.>> When the LORD brought back those who returned to Tziyon, we
were like those who dream.
Psa
126:2 Then our mouth was filled with
laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
Psa
126:3 The LORD has done great things
for us, and we are glad.
Psa
126:4 Restore our fortunes again, LORD,
like the streams in the Negev.
Psa
126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap
in joy.
Psa
126:6 He who goes out weeping, carrying
seed for sowing, will certainly come again with joy, carrying his sheaves.