Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. (Luke 7:11-12)
Women haven't always had the same rights as men, and some may argue that women still don't, especially in certain parts of the world. But for a large number of us, things are much better for women than it used to be. Now, many married women, if their husband dies, will be able to continue living somewhat comfortably, because in many cases the husband had a life insurance policy, or if they work, they will continue to work. Due to this, many widows are also able to keep their possessions, whether they have male children or not. We take all of this for granted, but during Biblical times, and even as recent as up to 1848, this was not the case.
One of the best examples of this is Naomi. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion... Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.(Ruth 1:1-3, 5) Now the two of them [Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth] went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi [meaning "pleasant"]; call me Mara [meaning "bitter"], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full [with husband and sons], and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:19-21, see RUTH: What To Do, When You Don't Know)
After studying the book of Ruth, we understand that God had a greater purpose, eventhough Naomi had to go through much suffering and difficulty. (see RUTH: God Prepares The Way for Christ) But for most of us, there's very little comfort in knowing that we're suffering for a greater good. So now we come to this widow, and now she's also lost her only son. What could possibly be God's purpose in her suffering? When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. (Luke 7:13-15)
God used the death and then resurrection of this young man for two main purposes:
1. to show that He is a loving and caring God, who feels our pain, as we will study in more detail when he resurrects Lazarus. But prior to performing the miracle, Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
2. to prove beyond any doubt that He is the Only Begotten Son of God, and our eternal Savior. As He told Martha, before resurrecting her brother Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)
One of the best examples of this is Naomi. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons.The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion... Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.(Ruth 1:1-3, 5) Now the two of them [Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth] went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi [meaning "pleasant"]; call me Mara [meaning "bitter"], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full [with husband and sons], and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:19-21, see RUTH: What To Do, When You Don't Know)
After studying the book of Ruth, we understand that God had a greater purpose, eventhough Naomi had to go through much suffering and difficulty. (see RUTH: God Prepares The Way for Christ) But for most of us, there's very little comfort in knowing that we're suffering for a greater good. So now we come to this widow, and now she's also lost her only son. What could possibly be God's purpose in her suffering? When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. (Luke 7:13-15)
God used the death and then resurrection of this young man for two main purposes:
1. to show that He is a loving and caring God, who feels our pain, as we will study in more detail when he resurrects Lazarus. But prior to performing the miracle, Jesus wept. (John 11:35)
2. to prove beyond any doubt that He is the Only Begotten Son of God, and our eternal Savior. As He told Martha, before resurrecting her brother Lazarus, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." (John 11:25)
Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people." And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. (Luke 7:16-17) Fear here does not mean afraid, but that the people were in awe, amazement. We must remember, God had been "quiet", had not visited His people for over 400 years before Christ Jesus was born, not speaking through a prophet or giving signs, because of the Jews' disobedience. Also, during that time, they as a people had gone through a lot of suffering and loss, even losing their country to Roman captivity. They couldn't just accept what Jesus said about Himself.
Jesus said it best, that “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” (John 4:48, see John & John Teach The Truth) But He also told one of the disciples, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) Being a Christian doesn't mean we're immune from the things of this world. Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (I John 5:4-5) No matter what we may go through in this life, through our faith in Christ Jesus, He will bring us through it, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! (Philippians 4:7)
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