Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did
(Acts 9:36).
Scripture References:
The strength and nobility of the women of Scripture deeply inspires me. Their character and their love and service to God shine with grace and nobility, inspiring us all. But what is marvelous is that not many of these women had noble backgrounds. The scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27, Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
It’s amazing; if you read the Scriptures with any degree of intellectual honesty, the leaders were all over the map. You’ve got reluctant people, you’ve got shy people, you’ve got uneducated people, you’ve got educated people. You’ve got folks with great families, you’ve got dysfunctional people, you’ve got messed up folks. It gives you hope!
Crawford Loritts speaking at Four Traits of Leaders
These women shine as stars in a dark and perverse world (Philippians 2:15). And it is all because of their mighty glorious Savior!
Oh! To know and understand what Biblical Womanhood is all about– getting to know and behold our Creator, understanding His covenant love, Oh! The Glorious Gospel, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
As I ponder the Scriptures, God’s Word captivates my heart. I reflect on His goodness, His attributes, and His everlasting love and ask Him, Lord, help me behold wonderous things from Your laws, teach me Your ways, and teach me what I can learn about You and Your love for humanity.
How can I live out Biblical Womanhood? How can I apply the scriptures to my life?
Please Lord, help me to live out the words of Scripture by how I live my life.
Ponderings: (Covenant) God is a covenant-keeping God, and Christians should be covenant-keeping people. We should honor our word and keep our promises, even when there is not an official contract in place. Every promise that a Christian makes should be considered a covenant. The command is to “simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37, BSB). Source: GotQuestions.org
Read Acts 9:36-42
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner (Acts 9:36-43).
The life, and death, and character of Tabitha, on whom this miracle was given, v. 36, 37.
She lived at Joppa, a sea-port town in the tribe of Dan, where Jonah took shipping to go to Tarshish, now called Japho.
Her name was Tabitha, a Hebrew name, the Greek for which is Dorcas, both signifying a doe, or hind, or deer, a pleasant creature.
She was a disciple, one that had embraced the faith of Christ and was baptized; and not only so, but was eminent above many for works of charity. She showed her faith by her works, her good works, which she was full of, that is, in which she abounded. Her head was full of cares and contrivances which way she should do good. She devised liberal things, Isa. 32:8. Her hands were full of good employment; she made a business of doing good, was never idle, having learned to maintain good works (Tit. 3:8), to keep up a constant course and method of them. She was full of good works, as a tree that is full of fruit. Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker: Non magna loquimur, sed vivimus-We do not talk great things, but we live them.
Among other good works, she was remarkable for her alms-deeds, which she did, not only her works of piety, which are good works and the fruits of faith, but works of charity and beneficence, flowing from love to her neighbor and a holy contempt of this world. Observe, She is commended not only for the alms which she gave, but for the alms-deeds which she did. Those that have not estates wherewith to give in charity may yet be able to do in charity, working with their hands, or walking with their feet, for the benefit of the poor. And those who will not do a charitable deed, whatever they may pretend, if they were rich would not bestow a charitable gift. She was full of alms-deeds, hoµn epoiei-which she made; there is an emphasis upon her doing them, because what her hand found to do of this kind she did with all her might, and persevered in. They were alms-deeds, not which she purposed and designed and said she would do, but which she did; not which she began to do, but which she did, which she went through with, which she performed the doing of, 2 Co. 8:11; 9:7. This is the life and character of a certain disciple, and should be of all the disciples of Christ; for, if we thus bear much fruit, then are we his disciples indeed, Jn. 15:8.
SOURCE: by Matthew Henry
dorcus had a helper’s heart
This woman was no preacher, but she had a kind heart, and God laid hold of it and made it divinely kind, so that the description given of her in the Word was that she “was full of good works and alms‐deeds which she did;”-so full that there was no room for self and self‐interest. There are some women whose faces just shine out love, which encourages those who are in real need, in depression, in poverty, in perplexity, to ask their help. There is a look of welcome, a something which says there is room in their hearts for the needs of others. — Mary Elizabeth Baxter
Let’s dive deeper into God’s Word. We understand that Dorcus was a faithful helper, and God has given us the design of being a “Helper” a helper is not a weak term, its not outdated or less-than. The word helper in Hebrew means Ezer in Genesis 2:18.
The Old Testament uses this word to refer to God as Helper; we can begin to understand this word has such great meaning and richness and strength because God is our mighty defense and helper of the weak, the victim, the fatherless, the afflicted and needy. God who is our helper is our support, strength and shield. Being a Helper is a life-giving Ministry one of community and compassion.
True Helper
Such women generally have a ready hand to help; they can think of a number of things which can be made almost out of nothing, they can make out of food which others throw away nice little dainties for the sick; they can make out of garments which others have done with, quite natty and new things for the children of poor families; and these are such as live the true life of Christ, “not unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them and rose again.” These are quite as much a well of living water to those around them as any preacher can be. These have a way of bringing God near to those who most need Him, and many a time, in their simple ministry those who are helped by them will ask them questions which may lead in the end to their conversion. Such a woman was Dorcas.
But she was taken sick and died. Everything was prepared for the funeral; the body was laid out just like every other corpse. But the disciples, under an impulse from the Spirit of God, sent to Peter, urging him to come to them without delay. Did the Spirit of God give them some intuitive sense that His power would conquer death? We are not told. We only know that “Peter arose and went with them;” and that they brought him into the chamber of death. There, around the corpse, were to be found more than the family; poor widows and needy ones were standing, weeping. They had lost a friend, and who could replace her? Every one of them had a testimony to the loving heart and ready hand which had toiled almost day and night, to help them. Coats, and garments, and soothed and strengthened hearts, were witnesses to the usefulness of her life. Source: Mary Elizabeth Baxter
PRACTICAL WAYS TO CULTIVATE BIBLICAL WOMANHOOD AND SHOWCASE THE BEAUTY OF CHRIST
- Dorcus had a helper’s heart, a heart of service to the Lord; her life overflowed with His grace and love.
- She did not have a high-profile ministry
- She worked eagerly with her hands
- She was a disciple of Christ always serving others and doing acts of charity
- Her ministry was sewing garments for the widows
- Her testimony – Widows mourned her death. Peter restored Dorcus to life. Many believed of the miracle
When the Lord God breathes new life into our dead souls and makes us disciples of Jesus, our helper heart will overflow in life-giving covenantal ministries. We will be gifts to our churches. Community life will be richer. Compassion will flourish. The kingdom will be extended. And the legacy of Dorcus will continue.
— The Legacy of Biblical Womanhood by Susan Hunt, Barbara Thompson
RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Older Woman, Stand Up and Be a Dorcas! By Susan Hunt
Modern-Day Daughters of Dorcas
As I observe modern-day daughters of Dorcas, I see in their actions what I imagine was true of Joppa’s Dorcas:
A daughter of Dorcas enthusiastically welcomes a visitor in the congregation and invites her for tea. She listens to the woman, learns about her loneliness and insecurity, assesses her gifts and circumstances, and then gently asks if she would have time to help hem some garments. She’s careful not to place demands on the woman but to communicate belief in her potential. The women pray together for the one who will receive the gift, and Dorcas invites the other woman to go with her to deliver it. Soon, Dorcas notices the woman sitting with a visitor and inviting her to lunch. Harmony and love quietly grow in the church family.
Source: Older Woman, Stand Up and Be a Dorcas!
Susan Hunt
