The Sheer Sweetness of Silent Daughters: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Obedience
You know, sometimes I just sit back and think about how amazing God's plan is. Like, truly amazing. It's not always easy to understand, and it's definitely not always what we expect, but when you really dig into it, there’s a beautiful design woven through everything, even the stuff that seems a little…weird at first.
Lately, I’ve been pondering the concept of obedience and how it plays out in the lives of women in the Bible. It’s easy to get caught up in modern ideas about equality and rights (and don't get me wrong, those are important!), but when I look back at scripture, I see a unique kind of beauty in the way God used, and uses, women’s silence and obedience as a powerful tool. Think about it – sometimes the greatest strength comes from quietly trusting, from listening more than you speak.
I’ve been revisiting the story of Tamar, from 2 Samuel 13. Okay, so it's a really difficult story. She endures the most horrific act by her own brother, and then afterward, she’s told by her other brother, Absalom, "Now, my sister, keep silent. He is your brother; do not take this to heart." I mean, talk about a gut punch, right? But, you know, when I read that, I see not weakness, but a type of quiet power. A different sort of strength, the kind that trusts in God's plan, even when it seems completely unfair. And it says she "remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house" after this awful event.
It got me thinking, how often do we rush to have our voices heard? How often do we jump to defend ourselves and maybe miss out on the real work God is trying to do in us? Sometimes, obedience isn’t about actively doing something, but rather, about the willingness to *not* do something, to remain silent in the face of injustice and let God handle it. It reminds me of Isaiah 53:7, where it talks about Jesus being "oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
I remember when I was in college, and this very hurtful rumor was spread about me. It was totally untrue and incredibly painful. My initial reaction was to blast it all over social media, tell everyone exactly what had happened and put everyone straight! But, something inside me whispered, 'just be still. Trust.' It was so, so hard. But I tried. I didn't retaliate. I prayed. I kept quiet. And honestly, the way it all worked out in the end, it's like God just took care of it for me. Things calmed down, and the truth eventually came to light without me ever having to engage. It was the strangest and most powerful thing. It’s like, by staying silent, I actually opened myself to God’s grace and His justice.
Now, I’m not saying we should never speak up or that it’s always right to be silent. That's not the point at all. But I do think there’s something to be said for understanding the power of quiet obedience in our lives. It’s about trusting God even when we don’t understand what’s happening, and that often requires stepping back from the desire to be seen and heard. I see this in my own life, especially when things get chaotic at home with the kids and hubby. It's so easy to get caught up in yelling and demands, but sometimes, the most loving thing I can do is just be quiet, listen and trust God to guide me.
It’s definitely something that’s challenged me. It makes me question whether I am listening enough to God and whether my actions are truly honoring Him. There’s something so powerful about allowing God’s truth to be revealed through our obedience, not our striving. It’s a different kind of power, a quiet, resilient strength that comes from trusting fully in God's sovereignty.
I truly believe there’s a reason these kinds of stories are in the Bible; they aren’t there to promote hurt or injustice, but to demonstrate a different kind of faith, the kind that trusts when you cannot see a way. How do you see this kind of obedience playing out in your own life? When have you seen God work best when you've decided to be still?