Tabitha AKA Dorcas
Since starting our website we have been researching some of the people of the Bible that we don’t often
hear about but who left their mark and legacy during their time as well as
ours. There are many who had an affect on people’s lives in their day and can
still inspire us today, but there wasn’t very much written about them. I believe
this is due to their desire to give all glory to God and receive their rewards
in heaven, not on earth, a quality that seems to have lost its flavor in
today’s world. Recently one of the many devotions we receive daily was about a
woman named Dorcas, translated Tabitha. It was such an interesting story we thought
we would share it.
The story of Dorcas takes place in Acts 9:36-43. Only 7 verses tell her story but she had a huge impact on the
people of Joppa, a seaport in Dan, and has inspired women through-out history.
Her name even today stands for charitable use of the needle. Dorcas implies “the
female of a roebuck” or gazelle, which was an emblem of beauty. Whether she was
a beautiful woman or not we are not told but she certainly lived a lovely life.
All whom she influenced and helped saw in her the beauty of Jesus. She was
considered a “disciple” and was included with the numerous disciples mentioned
in the New Testament.
We don’t know anything about the
lineage of Dorcas although it is believed that she was raised in a “Godly” home
where she learned to use her fingers and funds for the comfort of the needy. She
was well-known for her works and charitable deeds. Among her good works was
making clothing and coats for widows and the needy of her church and community.
She wasn’t only willing to give financially; she was willing to give of
herself
to do the work the Lord had given her the talent to do. The verse, ‘I was naked and ye
clothed me,’ Matthew 25:36 comes
to mind when speaking of her.
The garments Dorcas cut out and
sewed represented Christian faith in action. The practical, unselfish service of
this woman with her needle can be likened to Moses. The rod (Exodus 4:2) that
became a symbol of delegated divine power for him is the same as the needle that
became practical benevolence among the needy for Dorcas. When Luke says that
Dorcas was full of good works, he meant the word “full” to refer primarily to
her inward grace, which prompted the outward deeds. In other words she wasn’t
just trying to do good works; she was sincerely grateful to God for his saving
grace and found her joy and happiness in doing the Lord’s
work.
We don’t know anything about the
lineage of Dorcas although it is believed that she was raised in a “Godly” home
where she learned to use her fingers and funds for the comfort of the needy. She
was well-known for her works and charitable deeds. Among her good works was
making clothing and coats for widows and the needy of her church and community.
She wasn’t only willing to give financially; she was willing to give of
herself
to do the work the Lord had given her the talent to do. The verse, ‘I was naked and ye
clothed me,’ Matthew 25:36 comes
to mind when speaking of her.The garments Dorcas cut out and
sewed represented Christian faith in action. The practical, unselfish service of
this woman with her needle can be likened to Moses. The rod (Exodus 4:2) that
became a symbol of delegated divine power for him is the same as the needle that
became practical benevolence among the needy for Dorcas. When Luke says that
Dorcas was full of good works, he meant the word “full” to refer primarily to
her inward grace, which prompted the outward deeds. In other words she wasn’t
just trying to do good works; she was sincerely grateful to God for his saving
grace and found her joy and happiness in doing the Lord’s
work.As the story goes on, one day Dorcas became ill and died. It was a sad day for the church of Joppa
when one of its most beloved and devoted members died in the midst of her works of charity. Dorcas was well loved
but it appeared that she did not have any relatives to mourn her passing. The
widows, who were her friends, clothed and laid her out; and grieved for her. Her
friends, at the church she attended, heard that Peter was nearby. They sent two
men who urged Peter to come. Undoubtedly, the people had heard that Peter
exercised supernatural powers, and they hoped that he could do something
supernatural for Dorcas.
Being faithful, Peter did not hesitate to come with the men to the death chamber where Dorcas lay while the
widows grieved over her. I can imagine that Peter, when he saw how much she was
loved, was moved by all of the people who were mourning this saintly woman whom
he had been told much about by the men who came to get him. Peter who had
learned to walk full of the Holy Spirit knew God had brought him there for a
reason. He asked the people to leave him alone with the body. He fell to his
knees and prayed. Led by the Spirit he turned to the body of Dorcas and said,
“Tabitha (Dorcas), arise.” (Acts 9:40) She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she
sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the
believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all
over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.
The resurrection of Dorcas caused a great revival in Joppa. Throughout Joppa the message rang “Dorcas is
alive again.” Her resurrection convinced many people of the truth of the
Christian faith and many people believed in the Lord. The church in Joppa must
have been filled with the people that accepted Christ as their Savior because of
this miracle.
Dorcas did not aspire to be a leader. She was content to be a servant of the Lord. I believe it is even
possible that she never realized that the miracle of her resurrection had caused
such a revival but I believe that was the way it was with most of the people of
the Bible, they never knew the results of how the Lord used them for His glory.
It only takes a willing heart for God to orchestrate a
miracle.
Today, the memory of Dorcas is still a big part of our society. The Dorcas Society is a local group of people,
usually based in a church, with a mission of providing clothing to the poor.
Activities usually include making and distributing garments, supplying food for
needy families, caring for the fatherless and widows and ministering to the
sick.
God still uses willing servant’s hearts today to orchestrate miracles, seek ye first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness and who knows you might be the one God chooses to use to glorify His name.
On our web-site we have placed a fiction article titled “The Life of Dorcas in Her Own Words.” Our goal is to give a better understanding of this Godly woman in a way we hope you will enjoy. In this and other future fictional accounts we hope to bring a clearer understanding of how God worked in lives thousands of years ago and still works in lives today.
On our web-site we have placed a fiction article titled “The Life of Dorcas in Her Own Words.” Our goal is to give a better understanding of this Godly woman in a way we hope you will enjoy. In this and other future fictional accounts we hope to bring a clearer understanding of how God worked in lives thousands of years ago and still works in lives today.
Arise Tabitha
Bob Goulding © September 2006
Bob Goulding © September 2006
Blessed is the woman, who has tasted the wine of thy love.
Her hands yearn for the labor of her fingers.
Her eyes no longer can distinguish the delicate shades of color,
the tapestry of designs that bring warmth to those who know
only the bitter bite of winter, the icy touch of cold despair.
Oh how her heart yearns for the faces of loneliness and anguish
to turn to joy and contentment, knowing someone cares.
So young to be in the grip of darkness, her work only half finished.
Yet rest has come, unheralded and unwelcome before the day was done.
What fate has brought this tragedy to one so full of promise?
See how they gather to morn the one so fair, the one of pure heart.
She who's Life Work brought such joy to so many.
Perhaps her love but tarries so that her joy may know its full measure.
Blessed is the woman that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways.
Send for the Anointed One, so she may wake to see the sun when the words are spoken:
"Arise Tabitha"
Her hands yearn for the labor of her fingers.
Her eyes no longer can distinguish the delicate shades of color,
the tapestry of designs that bring warmth to those who know
only the bitter bite of winter, the icy touch of cold despair.
Oh how her heart yearns for the faces of loneliness and anguish
to turn to joy and contentment, knowing someone cares.
So young to be in the grip of darkness, her work only half finished.
Yet rest has come, unheralded and unwelcome before the day was done.
What fate has brought this tragedy to one so full of promise?
See how they gather to morn the one so fair, the one of pure heart.
She who's Life Work brought such joy to so many.
Perhaps her love but tarries so that her joy may know its full measure.
Blessed is the woman that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways.
Send for the Anointed One, so she may wake to see the sun when the words are spoken:
"Arise Tabitha"
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