It’s been said that taxes and death are certain, but so is change. God regularly uses change as the process for testing our faith (what we believe), determining whether we are faithful, and defining our faithfulness. 

For the next few devotionals, we will study Rizpah’s experiences to learn how to handle unwanted, unfair, and unexpected changes. And more importantly, how to turn great loss into triumph in the most unexpected ways.

Rizpah’s life demonstrates how to have faith by believing that God’s Word is a faithful and accurate transcript of His character that will lead to a relationship based on faithfulness to Him.

Rizpah’s advice to us today is “Don’t Stop — Now!”

Although her story is embedded in a few verses, the background is complex, composed of many moving parts. She is mentioned only three times in the Bible narrative. The first two references paint the background for the third, which is why she is most often remembered.

She is not a go-to sermon for most preachers or teachers unless the topic is grief and loss. I think her story begins a lot like Job’s, but the endings are very different.

In preparation for these devotionals, please read 2 Samuel 3:6-12; 21:1-14. You may want to jot down some notes to keep all the people and places in mind. To rouse your curiosity, Rizpah was one of King Saul’s concubines, with whom he had two sons: Armoni and Mephibosheth.

After King Saul's death, his youngest son by this wife, ascended to the throne. King Saul’s commander-in-chief of his army was Abner. After King Saul's death, Abner slept with Rizpah. 

The resulting conflict between King Saul's son and Abner led to some significant changes in Israel’s history and in Rizpah's life.

We will continue our discussion in the next issue, but if you want search for Bible answers now, please email JudithHawkins@GRM2.net.