18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.

1 Sam 25:18

Text: 1 Samuel 25:2-42

In last week’s classes, we examined the necessity for discipleship preparedness, examining Abigail, as a role model for us all because she didn’t allow herself to be swept away by indulgence which breeds complacency and negligence. Instead, she seized those peaceful moments, using them as an opportunity to fortify herself for the days of tribulations that visit all men! In building her internal capacity, she was able to build a stronghold against the evil day, saving not only herself but her entire household from calamity.

These are many noteworthy lessons her life offers us, but for the sake of brevity let us focus on these 4. [you can get the audio tape of our southern meeting here]

Lesson 1: Kingdom Mindedness is Ultimate.

2 And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, ............. 3.......and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; ...........
  • Abigail guarded her heart diligently 4:23 NEITHER allowing it to become preoccupied with the wealth/abundance and status which surrounded her as wife of Nabal, NOR did she permit the headaches and stress that also arise from the bad character of Nabal to overwhelm her.
    She maintained her focus on the higher matter of the kingdom [personified in David] and utilised the resources at her disposal to make herself ready for the coming of the bridegroom! 1 Sam 25:24-35 which worked in her favour even when calamity came instead.
  • Paradoxically speaking, our commitments, whether they be towards our career, education, business, or ministry, can be likened to being married to a Nabal. In each of these aspects of our lives, there are both positive aspects and negative issues that constantly vie for our complete attention.
  • Abigail surpassed Isaiah in focus. Isaiah’s was so dedicated in his service to King Uzziah that he became negligent of the higher purpose of God for His life as pertaining Israel. It took the death of King Uzziah Isaiah 6:1 before he could get his priorities aligned with the throne of God! Must our career / business have to die before God can get our undivided attention? . Similarly Esther became enveloped in the trappings of royalty that she became complacent toward the higher kingdom matter, but for Mordecai, she would have been replaced in the divine agenda! Esther 4:14
  • Some asked the question during the meeting: Is it possible to balance the demands of serving the Lord and yet diligently serve my organisation/pursue my career/serve my husband giving the limitations of time? and the answer was Yes! Do not do these things apart from God [compartmentalising your life] but rather do all with GOD daily! The lives of Nehemiah, Joseph and Daniel should be studied closely.

Lesson 2: Her heart was fully loaded with the right things.

18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
  • Abigail tapped into the immense reserves of her heart to access spiritual treasures. And what she produced was enough to speak for her husband and for every male under her roof!
  • 200 loaves, 2 bottles of wine, 5 sheep, 5 measures of parched corn, 100 clusters of raisins, 200 cakes of figs! This volume and breath of variety in spiritual riches are not things that are readily accessible to a ‘passive’ / ‘ordinary’ disciple, but to the violent! Matt 11:12 who regularly do violence to themselves and their sleep to press into the word + the presence + the revelation of God through study + meditation + prayer + service. These are the ones who take the kingdom treasures forcefully by such variety and volume!
  • Her heart was fully loaded with the right materials. She did not allow Satan to load her up like with distractions, regret, condemnation, anxiety, fear, pride, strife, unabated anger, ungodly talk. All these things would have impacted negatively on her wartime readiness. Mark 13:33
  • Also noteworthy is that the storehouse of her heart had enough integrity [no leakage/breach from vices like strife, bitterness] to ensure that the seeds of inspiration was not stolen by the birds of the air luke 8:5, Because she took time to train her focus, her storehouse was secure in heaven where neither rust nor thieves could break in and steal the heavenly vision. Matt 6:20
  • 1 Timothy 6:17-19
    17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Lesson 3: Her table was free to receive divine signals. 

14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. 15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we any thing, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: 16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. 17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
  • Mindfulness on the eternal should be our default mindset. Yet mindfulness in the present by the help of the Spirit is also critical to our success.
  • Our minds are like Airports, with many things hovering seeking to land, many things departing, many things landing, many things parking long term.
    Not everything that comes should be given clearance to land., Some things should be made to stay longer [as we dwell upon them], some things should be dismissed [as we renew our minds]. some things should not be cleared to land [as we think on the things of good report].. Our control tower being regulated by Philippians 4:8
  • Even after David enquired of the Lord, “shall i pursue? shall i overtake? shall i recover all?“ He still found an Egyptian messenger in the field whom “they gave bread, made to drink water, gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins“: it was this messenger who revealed the location of the Amalekites who had raided their Ziklag. The treasures you get from your bible can be useful in feeding the messenger who has the key to your recovery!
    Information can be vital to divine recovery! ref: 1 Samuel 30:8-15
  • God is faithful, before any major thing violates our boundaries, He will send us signals through dreams, inspiration, prophetic, inner witness etc. God isn’t the problem, the question is are we paying attention.
  • Abigail kept her heart free from traffic jam of satanic signals. Like the damsel of Songs of Songs 5 even whilst she “slept her heart was awake” with expectation, listening! She made no excuses that could disconnect her from the angelic messenger of the season.
    [when last did you receive the divine messenger?]

Lessons 4: We rise and fall on character.

23 "Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground.”
  • with everything we have looked at from #1 to #3, the certainty and potency of our preparedness will finally rest on Character!
  • Abigail in spite of all her status still knew how to dismount the donkey ‘quickly’, fall on her face and bow down to the ground.
  • No matter the depth and breadth of your gifting, your ministry will make or break on the shores of your character. are Humility, Meekness, Patience, Kindness qualities that are inculcated in you?

CONCLUSION

Just as in the days of Shamgar when the highways of kingdom mindedness were abandoned for selfish pursuits, when men became distracted with the other gods chasing after the idols [of fame / beauty/power], when war came to the gates of Israel but not a spear nor shield was found among 40,000 in Israel! When calamity comes to the gates of our homes, our fathers house, our church will you be among the remnant company of Deborah & Jael who could stand to resist the enemy and give peace to Israel?

Abigails life offers vital lessons to enable us be counted amongst the illustrious company.

Grace and Peace to all.