Me Too: Remembering Tamar
Sometimes watching the news makes me crazy! Lately, between the Trump/Stormy Daniels scandal, and the airing interview of OJ Simpson’s “confession,” my mind can’t help but go to all the women who’ve been objectified. Abused. Killed.
Don’t dismiss or blame women today for saying “enough is enough.” If righteousness and justice matter to you, even though it’s never the whole story, support and appreciate women who are stepping out with a collective not-on-my-watch push-back.
And remember: Not every woman confidently joins the collective voice. Not every woman has the support to do so.
Take Tamar for example.
2 Samuel 13 describes the terrible dysfunction of King David’s family. In particular the rape of his daughter, Tamar:
“’No, my brother!’ she said to him. ‘Don’t force me! Don’t do this wicked thing…What about me?’…But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her." Vs. 12-14.
That’s right. Rape right there in the Bible. (Don’t say the Word of God is not relevant for today.) What makes matters worse is the abuser is family - Tamar’s half-brother, Amnon. And he’s coached in shrewdness by his cousin, Jonadab. Sound familiar?
Right now, as you read the text I’ve shared, are you quietly whispering, “Me too”? Do you join the millions of women who have been overpowered, disgraced and violated?
Tamar was royalty, the daughter of King David. But after her attack, “she put ashes on her head and tore the ornate robe she was wearing. She put her hands on her head and went away, weeping…then lived in her brother Absalom’s house, a desolate woman.” Vs. 18-20
Tamar lived at a time when she had little recourse. She lived at a time when she, the survivor of abuse, could only take off her royal robe and put on the shame of the abuser.
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If only she had a King to come to her aid.
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If only her father had defended her.
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If only her misery had been exchanged for healing.
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If only her shame had been heaped on another.
Today’s devotional is for every #METOO woman who, like Tamar, covered her body, her beauty, her pain in ash-stained sackcloth.
DEAR WOMAN, there is One who has fulfilled the King’s duty. One who took on the shame of violence against you. There is One who defends, provides, drapes you in royalty and calls you out!
King Jesus is His name.
IN CHRIST,
I'm real because God is so real
Your Calling For Today
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, if you openly or silently echo, “Me Too,” turn to God. Turn to the King who has done, is doing and will one day do something about it.
Prayer: “Oh, God, I come to you with my body that was violated. I bring to you my hurt. My memory. My hiddenness, anger and fear. Exchange my ashes for the beauty that was always mine because of You. In Jesus’ name.”