Sisters of Exploitation
I had a difficult time writing this fourth post about Biblical sisters. For each of the previous sisters I wrote about, the focus was clear, but Merab and Michal did not interact with one another, nor did they even reference each other in Scripture. In truth, I wanted them to have more profound significance, so I put off my Saturday morning posting to search more and read more. Finding that Merab likely died young and had each of her five sons murdered as retribution for her father’s sins and that Michal was barren as a result of her despising David’s dancing for the Lord left me a bit deflated. What was I to do with this?
One thought kept resurfacing as I studied: Saul sucks! All parents have their flaws, but Saul takes things to a whole new level as he dangles his daughters out to David as a way to entice him into more and more dangerous feats. Saul never intends for David to marry either one of his daughters. He simply wants the lure of them to send David to certain death. Merab and Michal are each used by their father to further his selfish, political endeavors.
On Saturday, my daughters and I attended our church’s tea party in celebration of Women’s History Month. We got all dressed up and were poised for a great time. Thirty minutes into the affair, my husband called. He had been at a football game with our son. “I just want to stop by for a minute to see my girls,” he said. With the biggest smile on his face, he made us stand in front of the back drop and smile and pose while he snapped pictures. As embarrassed as they may have been, our daughters knew that their dad was proud of them and excited to see them grow into the women God designed them to be. He detoured fresh from the field where he coached our son’s team in their first flag football game of the season just to take a few pictures of his wife and daughters.
I wonder if Merab and Michal ever saw the twinkle in Saul’s eye as he looked admiringly at them. I wonder if they sensed the simultaneous heartache and delight of their father when he realized they were growing up. Would Saul have crashed a women’s only event just to take in the sight of them, knowing that pretty soon they would be off making a life for themselves?
Probably not, and that makes me sad for them. Even today, I can hear the joy in my dad’s voice when I call. He still kisses me on the forehead and smiles a big grin when I come near. All daughters should know the happiness a father experiences simply because they entered a room. Perhaps if more of us did, we would not search for such crude imitations of love.
And that, Friend, is where I found the significance I was looking for in Merab and Michal’s story. Regardless of the love our earthly fathers show us, we all have a Father who delights in us. He loves to hear us call out to Him. He gets excited when we return home to Him. He does not exploit us or take advantage of us. Instead, he wraps His arms protectively around us and guides us toward fullness in Him. It’s a love He gave His life for. A free gift of grace for all who dare to receive it.
Memos from the Middle 