Zipporah, Role Model of c

Zipporah, A Role Model of Conviction - Numbers 12:1

INTRO: There’s an old saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Refers to the significant role a woman plays in the success of others and especially her husband.

Saying gained prominence in the early 1900’s in protest to the patriarchal system.

In God’s design, Male and Female were created as equals of one another, empowering each other through the specific gifts and skills each possesses.

Today, we will highlight the God-given empowerment of Women who assist in the natural and spiritual development of society.

READ SCRIPTURE Numbers 12:1 “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.”

PRAY

ZIPPORAH , A ROLE MODEL OF CONVICTION.

God led me to Zipporah because of she was an example of WOMEN of Character as we celebrate Black History. Debates over “Another wife.”

In today’s passage, Miriam and Aaron displayed racism to Zipporah.

However, Zipporah, like many women today, didn’t let racism influence her CONVICTION.

Conviction. = the act or process of finding a person guilty of a crime especially in a court of law; a strong persuasion or belief.

Zipporah had a strong belief in WORK. EX 2:16

Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock.

Jethro, the High Priest of Midian; Daughters worked;

Working Women is a norm of our culture. Nothing to be ashamed of.

WORK builds character.

Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,”

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

John 6:27 “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.””

Zipporah had a strong belief in HOSPITALITY.

EX 2:17-18.When the girls returned to Reuel their father, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?” They answered, “An Egyptian rescued us from the shepherds. He even drew water for us and watered the flock.” “And where is he?” Reuel asked his daughters. “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.” All of these added to Moses who grew up in Egypt and was somewhat disassocitated with Hospitality, Work and family.

Please note- didn’t invite anyone into the home. Invite those who demonstrated a stand for justice; protection of the weak; someone who is a blessing from God.

Zipporah had a strong belief in GOD.

Conviction that God called her husband to deliver a people from the bondage of slavery. Moses was called in EX 4.

Belief in God Conviction meant HELPING Moses to meet God’s requirement. No competition; No Jealousy; sincere Conviction.

Let’s look at how Conviction proves faith.

EX 4:24-27 “At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision

God was about to kill Moses - He was called but not delivered.…from Egypt.

See, In order to respond to God properly, you have to be ”All In.”

All In - all of you on His side; under His protection; following His guidance.

Men, you just didn’t make it. Somebody prayed for you. DELIVERANCE FROM SELF.

Children, you weren’t lucky. Somebody interceded for you. DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL.

CLOSE: What can we Learn?

Never let the words people say about you, affect your CONVICTION.

Learn that CONVICTION to WORK glorifies God.

Learn that CONVICTION to show HOSPITALITY glorifies God.

Most of all, learn that CONVICTION of FAITH IN GOD leads to being “ALL IN” for God. Because we are His by blood.

Today, I pause to honor the greatness of women, Past and Present , for their CONVICTION to the natural and spiritual development of society. APPLAUD!!!