Uncovering an Ancient Culture

Wednesday 3-23-16   La Lucila, Buenos Aires.

Scripture reading:    Joshua 15 – 17    1 Cor 8

S.  Josh 15:17-19  So Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it (the area of  Kirjath Sepher) and he (Caleb) gave him Achsah his daughter as wife. Now it was so, when she came to him, that she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she dismounted from her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you wish?" She answered, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water." So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.  NKJV

O.  So, what’s the big deal?  I see here a picture of an ancient culture.  A relative is promised a beautiful damsel as a prize.  Then before parting for her new life, she first consults with her new husband, then she dismounts and approaches her father to request a huge section of land not included in the original agreement so as to have access to the upper and lower springs of life-giving water.

A.  A large section of Proverbs 31 is dedicated to a description of a virtuous woman.  Vs 10 – 12 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. NKJV  (And there is much more in that chapter.)  Othniel not only wins a charming damsel, he also has won a virtuous woman who, before leaving her father’s house to form her new home, is thinking ahead and daring to request the best for their future.

I immediately was reminded of a woman I met last Sunday night after our service in a tightly packed church, built like a large log cabin. 

Pastor Hector Medina introduced me to this lady, who lives far away from town, plows the fields, plants the crops and cares for her family.  Here, she is holding her 11 year old daughter who is asleep in her arms... as she awaits a ride home.  Until recently they had no electricity.  Water is hand pumped.  I don’t know her story, but her pastor, Hector Medina, told me this much.  For some people, the centuries have changed things very little.

This was taken last Sunday night in the Log Cabin Church.  Most of the kids are on the floor down front and thus not in this picture. 

I get to go where few other traveling ministers can go.  What a privilege to bless this pastor and his wife and their unusual church!

P.  Oh Lord, You know the whole story of this lady... and many more like her who are struggling to raise a family and bring in the bacon.  She has been holding this bundle for 30 minutes.  She is not complaining.  She and her daughter have just made a fresh dedication to Christ along with many others.  Bless her today, Lord, I pray.  Amen.

Ralph