Acts 9:36-43
“There was a disciple, in Joppa, named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas ~ meaning gazelle), who was always doing good and helping the poor”. Act 9:36 NIV
I have to say, if we only met Tabitha through that one sentence above, we would know much about her character. She was always doing good and helping the poor! Wow! That speaks volumes. If the meaning of her name, gazelle, means anything, I say Wow again. Gazelles are known to be swift animals, able to reach speeds of 50 miles per hour for extended periods of time. She was probably this little ball of fire, overflowing with love and energy, doing good and helping the poor.
Tabitha lived in the port city of Joppa situated about thirty-four miles northwest of Jerusalem. It was an important place for Christians during that time because this new faith was spreading from Jerusalem across the Mediterranean. I can imagine what her house looked like. Let me show you.
This is a picture of a house in Joppa along the coast. (Don’t look too close at the woman in the picture~she was very tired). The picture was taken by my “Hubby” on our first trip to Israel. Joppa was our first stop, even before a good nights sleep. So you can see, I can truly imagine what Tabitha’s house looked like. I imagine she could stand on the top of her roof (or upstairs room) and observe the people in need, that she so lovingly served.
Scripture says, “Tabitha became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. When the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda (near Joppa) they called for him to come, at once! When Peter arrived he was taken to the room where Tabitha was. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that this woman had made while she was still with them.” Acts 9:37-39
This woman must have been greatly loved by the widows. Did you know that there is a society called The Dorcas Society? It was established in 1834, for the purpose of administering relief to the poor and to give plain and necessary articles of clothing.
“Then Peter sent all who were there, out of the room. He got down on his knees and prayed. He turned his head toward Tabitha and said, Get Up, and she opened her eyes (seeing Peter) and Got Up. Then Peter took her by the hand, helped her to her feet and called the believers and widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.” Acts 9:40-42 NIV
Thought and Question Ponder
We hear nothing of Tabitha, this woman called Dorcas, again in Scripture. I would imagine that she went about the Lord’s business with a greater gazelle like speed, than she had before. Have you ever had anything happen to you that increased your faith so much, that it encouraged you and caused you to be more enthusiastic as you served the Lord? Write your answer.
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Tabitha surely was a Girl of Faith. May we be so known, for our giving hearts to those in need. All of this is to the glory of God!
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 7:26 pm and is filed under Bible Studies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Carolina May 26th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Miss you my sister and best friend