A Study of an Unhealthy Marriage: Ananias and Sapphira

Ananais and Sapphira was a financially well off married couple.  The scriptures do not go into how they lived.  They never disclosed if she was a woman who was selfish or abused.  They as a couple, sold some property.  Her husband, Ananias decided that they were going to keep some of the money but claim to give the full amount to Peter.  Sapphira agreed to this deception.

The thing that I found so strange was that Ananais and Sapphira came to Peter separately.  For Peter had two different very short conversations with each of them.  To Ananias, he explained that this deception was unnecessary.  He did not have to sell his property.  He did not have to give all his money.  He could have honestly given whatever he freely wanted to give.  In this case, like Eve in the beginning, Satan tempted Ananias to lie to Peter.  Peter educated to all present that he did not lie to him but to God.  As we all know, Ananias immediately fell dead.

Now it was Sapphira's turn, in three hours she showed up--three hours!   They did not come together with this deception.  I wonder why it took three hours to go to Peter.  Was she conflicted in telling the man of God a lie?  Was she busy doing something else at home? We have no idea.  All I know is that in God's infinite wisdom, he was giving this woman a chance to tell the truth about her household.  If her husband was there, she would have possibly feared that angry look he gives whenever he is unhappy.  Was she just as greedy and deceptive as her husband or did she fear her husband more than God?  Peter asked her directly if this was the price "You and your husband received for the land?"  She responded with a yes.  Peter then reprimanded her verbally by saying how can "ye (you) have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?"  She was then punished with the 'same' fate as her husband.

This story has shown me that in order to live for God, we need to live in truth and not fear what man may do to us.  In these last and evil days, we must stand up for what is right.  Even if it is standing up against family, children, spouses, and friends.  You may feel alone but you must know that this may be a test.   We MUST know in our heart and mind that we are never alone in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.  Because of him, we are able to freely and with power live an honest and upright life.

A Study of a difficult marriage: Nabal and Abigail

Nabal and Abigail
We begin  knowing that Nabal was a wealthy man.  It doesn't link Abigail as wealthy just Nabal.  The Bible names all of his property that has created his wealth status.   The Bible also tells us how these two married people are.  It first states that Abigail is sensible (with good understanding) and beautiful.  On the other hand, her husband Nabal is mean and dishonest.  We can assume that they did not have a good marriage.  We also know that at this time that it was not easy for a woman to leave her husband.  She was basically bound until his death.  There is no mention of her having children at this time.  It is safe to say that she was very unhappy in this marriage. 
In short, David protects Nabal's flock from enemies or predators therefore increasing his wealth status for that year.  David sends a servant to let Nabal know of how his situation of protection occurred.  Nabal dismisses David through his servant with an insult and David plans an attack on  Nabal's entire household.  This attack however is intercepted by the wisdom and intelligence of Abigail. 
Abigail is a smart young woman, and it can be assumed that she is respected and loved by Nabal's servants.  For Nabal's servants run to alert Abigail of Nabal's response to David's servant.  They view her not just as a woman but a very intelligent woman that can help this entire household.  She must live a godly and honest life.  Nabal's servant  daily observes a woman full of wisdom and integrity.  These servants could have run away and flee, but they had confidence that Abigail would know what to do.  Amazing! 
As we  read, Abigail runs to David, with food and supplies ahead of her, and alerts David of her husband's foolish behavior.  She tells David the truth and has confidence that God will quickly judge her husband himself.  Abigail  tells David that there is no need for David's vengence.  God will have vengence on her husband, she is confident of this and there is no need to interfere with God's plan.  The insight of young Abigail!  She knows the law and commandments of God.  Her only other request to David is for him to remember her after God administers the fatal judgement to her husband.
What happens next when Abigail gets home blows my mind.  She is not quick to speak.  She is patient and wise enough to wait until her husband is in a certain state to let him know what had transpired between David and herself.  She told Nabal when he was sober, and that was when God administered his judgement of sickness and death.
Did Abigail pray for God to deliver her from this man?  Did she know that her redemption was here when Nabal's servant told her folly of her husband?  I think she prayed and realized that her deliverance was here when  her husband disrespected and insulted the wrong man, David.
Living for God will be very hard at times.  We may be in a certain situation where we feel trapped unable to freely use our talent, intelligence, or gift.  But we must be ready when God tells us it's time for our deliverance from that situation.  It may be a very demanding and demeaning job.  It may be a marriage where there is physical, mental, or financial abuse.  It may be a relationship with a family member or friend that you are trying to get out of.  We have to not take things in our own hands.  We MUST continue to live honestly, godly, and full of integrity.  There is a saying that I love, 'you must live a life to where if someone tells a lie about you, no one will believe it.'
We must believe that we can give our life to God to where he will constantly perfect it and make us stronger.  He will guide us to all manner of truth.  We are limited and subject to mistakes and ruin, but God never makes mistakes.  He loves us and knows our end.  We must know and trust that truth.