A Universal Pain
Scripture reference: Judges 5:28-30
Natalia sat on a cushion of lamb fleece covered in purple silk at the window of her bed chamber starring anxiously through the lattice. It had been one cycle of the moon since her son, Sisera, had gone off to fight the rebellious Israelis. He should have made quick work of those weak and silly people, and have returned home by now. What could it be that has slowed his chariot? Why has the sound of its wheels not filled the air beneath her window? What has so delayed her precious son?
"Oh, my lady," spoke Muriel, one of her attendants, "do not be worried. No doubt they are busy dividing the spoils. I hear the Israelis have many fine items of gold. It must be that which is delaying your son's return."
"And also," spoke another of the women, "there are the fine young Israeli girls to be divided among your son's army. If they are arguing over which is the best and who has first rights, that will surely cause a delay." A nervous giggle erupted from the small group of concerned women.
"I have heard that the Israelis have fine embroidered cloth," said another of Natalia's concerned women in waiting. "Your son deserves to have such fine cloth about his great neck. And his soldiers will also want their share of the spoil."
The women who faithfully ministered to the needs of Natalia tried not to show the sadness they felt for their beloved mistress. They knew in their hearts, as they were certain Natalia herself knew, that Sisera was late returning from the battle because he would never return. It was the overflowing of their compassion for the grand lady that motivated them to come up with plausible reasons for Sisera's delay. But they knew that such a great general would have made short work of his enemy if all had gone well for him. And such a long delay in his return was a clear sign that things had not gone well for Sisera and his army. They had met defeat.
Natalia's hope faded with the setting sun, and her heart was overcome with the sorrow of knowing that her beloved son would never come home. As she continued to sit at her window, her eyes filled with tears, and she released her pain in one hundred mournful sobs. It was a flood of emotions every mother of a son can understand, and no man can fully comprehend. The same pain that would be felt centuries later by another mother starring not out a window, but up at a cross.
At the same time, another woman sang her song of victory. The Israeli judge Sarah told the story of how her army defeated Sisera and drove him to the tent where another woman drove a spike through his temple. But, being a wise judge and filled with God's wisdom, she expressed compassion for the pain and sorrow of Sisera's mother. For she knew that the same God which caused the sun to shine on her also gave light to that sad woman far away. And that it was His grace and power which gave the victory. So she gave God the glory by demonstrated her knowledge that, but for the grace of God, it could have been her who sat weeping.
Note: It is customary at the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, to blow the Shofar one hundred times. One time for each of the sobs of the mother of Sisera. In this way the Jews remember that victory is also a gift of the grace of God; the God who causes His light to shine on all.
May the grace of God the Father, the love of Christ Jesus the Son, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
Natalia sat on a cushion of lamb fleece covered in purple silk at the window of her bed chamber starring anxiously through the lattice. It had been one cycle of the moon since her son, Sisera, had gone off to fight the rebellious Israelis. He should have made quick work of those weak and silly people, and have returned home by now. What could it be that has slowed his chariot? Why has the sound of its wheels not filled the air beneath her window? What has so delayed her precious son?
"Oh, my lady," spoke Muriel, one of her attendants, "do not be worried. No doubt they are busy dividing the spoils. I hear the Israelis have many fine items of gold. It must be that which is delaying your son's return."
"And also," spoke another of the women, "there are the fine young Israeli girls to be divided among your son's army. If they are arguing over which is the best and who has first rights, that will surely cause a delay." A nervous giggle erupted from the small group of concerned women.
"I have heard that the Israelis have fine embroidered cloth," said another of Natalia's concerned women in waiting. "Your son deserves to have such fine cloth about his great neck. And his soldiers will also want their share of the spoil."
The women who faithfully ministered to the needs of Natalia tried not to show the sadness they felt for their beloved mistress. They knew in their hearts, as they were certain Natalia herself knew, that Sisera was late returning from the battle because he would never return. It was the overflowing of their compassion for the grand lady that motivated them to come up with plausible reasons for Sisera's delay. But they knew that such a great general would have made short work of his enemy if all had gone well for him. And such a long delay in his return was a clear sign that things had not gone well for Sisera and his army. They had met defeat.
Natalia's hope faded with the setting sun, and her heart was overcome with the sorrow of knowing that her beloved son would never come home. As she continued to sit at her window, her eyes filled with tears, and she released her pain in one hundred mournful sobs. It was a flood of emotions every mother of a son can understand, and no man can fully comprehend. The same pain that would be felt centuries later by another mother starring not out a window, but up at a cross.
At the same time, another woman sang her song of victory. The Israeli judge Sarah told the story of how her army defeated Sisera and drove him to the tent where another woman drove a spike through his temple. But, being a wise judge and filled with God's wisdom, she expressed compassion for the pain and sorrow of Sisera's mother. For she knew that the same God which caused the sun to shine on her also gave light to that sad woman far away. And that it was His grace and power which gave the victory. So she gave God the glory by demonstrated her knowledge that, but for the grace of God, it could have been her who sat weeping.
Note: It is customary at the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, to blow the Shofar one hundred times. One time for each of the sobs of the mother of Sisera. In this way the Jews remember that victory is also a gift of the grace of God; the God who causes His light to shine on all.
May the grace of God the Father, the love of Christ Jesus the Son, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
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