TWO HELPERS

G.A.Brown

1 Samuel 5: 32-35; Judges 1: 12-15

Each of these women, Abigail and Achsah, helped their husbands. It might be said, of course, that Abigail was not really David's wife at this point, but it was because of the way she helped him, and the feature of discernment that David saw in her, that caused him to make her his wife. Many a wife has been the making of her husband, and the reverse, of course, is also true. But I am not thinking so much in this setting of the literal relationship of husband and wife, although that may apply as well, but rather of the subjective element amongst the brethren which is symbolised in the wife, and the responsible element which is set out in the husband. This subjective side must be equivalent to the responsible side. It is when the two get out of step that danger looms, and danger certainly does loom in this chapter because David here, great man though he is, does not shine. David, the responsible man, is being vindictive, he is being petty, he is out for revenge, and it is going to involve bloodshed and loss of life. He knows it all, and we sometimes get like that: we have read it all and we know it all and we are going to push it through. What we think needs to be done is going to be done come what may, irrespective of who is going to be hurt. We have known these things and we have had our part in them in the past; may we never have them again. Then Abigail comes on to view and she helps David by restraining him. Many a time we have had cause to be thankful for restraint, have we not? – perhaps from our wives, perhaps from the subjective element amongst the brethren, what has been called 'the body of the saints' which can be relied upon, perhaps the emergence of the underlying work of God in our own souls, which holds back this impetuous kind of feature which many of us find in ourselves. It is said of Reuben that he was "Impetuous as the waters", Gen 49: 4. We do like to have our own way, but there is another way and it is a better way. Let us listen to the voice of Abigail. David says "And blessed by thy discernment". She saw what was going to happen, and this is a great feature, the feature of foresight. It is not too common, dear brethren, it is not like hindsight. Hindsight, someone said, is the most prolific gift known to mankind because almost everybody has it. Anyone can tell you what ought to have been done after the calamity has taken place, but here is a woman who is able, on account of what was wrought out in her, to foresee the danger, and not only to foresee it but to forestall it. O! it is far better, beloved brethren, to forestall the danger and avoid the calamity than to try to patch things up after the calamity has happened. Let us learn to look for this feature, let us' learn to discern. She has everything that is needed, she brings out an astonishing amount of wealth and wisdom. Who would have thought she had such resources? I believe that every local meeting is furnish ed thus if we but have the grace to listen, to pay heed to what Abigail says. The result is that she becomes wedded to David; that is to say, the responsible man, the man who takes things in hand for God, becomes moderated, he becomes mellowed in his spirit. What a man David was! I do not want to detract from the greatness of David as a man of God, one who characteristically pleased Jehovah, a man after God's own heart. What a wonderful thing it is when these two features – what is responsible and what is subjective – become wedded together! Then you have the true features of the assembly coming out; may it be so in every place!

Now Achsah helped her husband, not by restraining him but by urging him. He had been active, active in conflict and successful in conflict. What a man he was too! But then the time came when the victory had been won, and she urged him to ask of her father a field; she urged him. What a service lies with the dear sisters, and indeed with us all if we can but develop this underlying feature of spirituality. "She urged him", it says, and then "she sprang". "And Caleb said to her, What wouldest thou? And she said to him, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a southern land". She is speaking from the point of view of possession and enjoyment of the heavenly inheritance. You will find this element, beloved brethren, if you look for it; it is not only in sisters, you will find it in brothers too, you will find it perhaps sometimes in the most unlikely places, in persons who are enjoying their heavenly portion. Such are the persons to listen to, they will help you; they will help you to get a spring into your step, to view with fresh urgency the glory of the inheritance. It says "She urged him... and she sprang", and then she says "for thou hast given me a southern land; give me also springs of water" – and she got them.

Well, dear brethren, these are two great voices that we need to listen to, I believe; the voice of restraint when we might go too far, and the urging voice when we do not go far enough. There is that in the body of the saints in every locality, I believe, which can bring this about if we are ready to listen to it.

May we be ready, for His Name's sake.

 

EDINBURGH

September 1982