Monday, March 10, 2008

Sheerah

This week I read the chronological reading with Bev and her group of chronological readers. We read in the book of Numbers, but there was this one day that we deviated and read genealogies from 1 Chronicles. That is where I got stuck.

I get excited about genealogies!!! Oh Yeah, that is right. Genealogies.

I want you to see where I got stuck. Reading in Numbers 26, the Lord tells Moses and Eleazar, son of Aaron (who has already died) to take another census after a plague had ended. Then the scriptures cross references to scriptures in 1 Chronicles 7. As I was reading, his son…blah, blah, his son, blah…blah, his son…then all of a sudden the word DAUGHTER jumped off the page at me. I back tracked. Here’s that portion of scripture:

1 Chronicles 7:20-24 HCSB

Ephraim’s Descendents

Ephraim's sons: Shuthelah, and his son Bered,
his son Tahath, his son Eleadah,
his son Tahath, his son Zabad,
his son Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead.
The men of Gath who were born in the land killed Ezer and Elead because they went down to raid their cattle. Their father Ephraim mourned a long time, and his relatives came to comfort him. He slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because there had been misfortune in his home. His daughter was Sheerah, who built Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheerah,

These are the descendant of Ephraim, son of Joseph. They experienced misfortune in this family. When he had another son, Ephraim (whom Matthew Henry’s Commentary says he believes is not the same Ephraim as Joseph’s son) named him Beriah, which means misfortune.

But then in verse 24, it mentions his daughter, Sheerah, “who built Lower and Upper Beth-horon and Uzzen-sheera.” A woman in the midst of genealogy is rare in the Bible. If she is mentioned, then there must be some significance.

I’m in the process of researching this, but little is to be found. I’ve sent an email to my homeschool history curriculum author to see if she can lend any insight.

But to think about what I do know from these scriptures—Sheerah came from a family of misfortune. Sheerah (I think “she rose”) above the circumstances and founded three cities. She must have been a woman of influence. The Hebrew lexicon for built is banah (baw nah) which means to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue. One of the cities is named after her. Wow!

For some reason this woman is briefly mentioned in the scriptures and I want to know why. She came from a down and out family, but was influential in building or establishing three cities. She must have had some fortitude. She knew how to work with the establishment of men. She knew her purpose and fulfilled the call on her life.

I love the word of God and God loves women. He uses women to accomplish HIS will.

May we the women of the Lord recognize God’s plan for our lives and do what HE has called us to do. We may not be an Esther, Rahab, or Sarah who are well known. But we can still leave behind a legacy where God places us, just as Sheerah left her legacy where she was placed, though little known.

Blessings in Christ--

13 gracious comments:

Nise' said...

I love this! I did not "catch" that and just skim over those son of son of son ofs. It is there for a reason and it is so neat that you are researching it! Way to go girl!

MrsProverbs31 said...

Now, you got me thinking. You see, I don't pay much attention geneologies. It's no small wonder that this unique founding has not been laid on my lap.

Anyhow, thanks for sharing. That is awesome. I'm going to go and get my husband searching for it. He's a minister, he can probably find it faster than I can because he knows how to use his resources.

Thanks for your encouragements by stopping by my blog. God bless you!

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Ooooh Shonda! I have to make myself slow down on the genealogies as they are NOT my favorite and I don't know what to do with them but your post has interested me in paying way more attention to them. And what a beautiful find to see someone who allowed her God to turn the odds stacked against her into something for His glory. When I hear of stories like that, I listen! Thank you so much for what you presented to us today that was so from God's heart for women!

Anonymous said...

Fascinating Shonda...I just love your thoughts and that you took the time to thoroughly read the geneology...I remember the name Beriah but I didn't remember hers...that is so encouraging that we can walk into the purposes that God has for us if she was able to in a time such as hers...

Blessings to you,

Helen

Jean said...

You know Shonda, I am ashamed to admit this, but when I read about Sheerah and what she did, I didn't have a clue it was saying she had built 3 cities! I'm sure I shouldn't put this out there for all to see, but hey, it's the truth, so there you go!

I also do not know ANYONE who says they love the geneologies! That cracked me up! I'll have to let you know when we come to more of them, whether your very insightful words has helped me to have more of an interest in them! I hope I do! I will try!!!!

Connie Barris said...

wow... That is good... I too like the others did not pick up on that..

but we could study the bible endlessly and be taught something over and over again...

also, thank you for your prayers...I'm sure, praying anyway, it's nothing..

blessings,
connie

annette said...

I never have heard any explanation of this and it is good. Thanks Shonda for finding a new nugget to take in. His Word is new and fresh each day. Good post. Love, Annette

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is really really good! I love to find treasure like that! I will do some digging and see what I can come up with about Sheerah..hahaha you got me started girl!

marine's words said...

One thing I do know is that whrn ever a women is mention in the bible is for so important reason or another b/c back then women where not written in just to be wrtten.
way to go Shonda!!!!!!!!!!!
marina

jen said...

Hey girl! :) You know, my favorite stories in the Bible are those about women. I love to see their struggles and how God carries them through everything, including human-ness. They give me hope and encouragement. I am really enjoying catching up on your blog. Your thoughts are always encouraging!

Emily said...

I love it! Thanks so much for looking into this and sharing!
I will take a risk of sounding very silly here, but I have to laugh because when I first read your title to your blog entry "Sheerah" the first thing that came to mind was "Sheerah, princess of Power" You may or may not remember He-Man's female counterpart Sheerah? :) I am laughing because I am such a dork, but it is who I thought of! So interesting to hear about God's Sheerah though!
Hope you are having a great day!

Val said...

I can't wait to hear more about this! I am trying to keep up. Thanks for sharing this.

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Hey, Shonda, I was Gooling "Sheerah" and landed here. I'm getting interested in her and thinking about writing a little something about her, too.