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Devotionals
Key Events in Joppa:
1) Raising of Tabitha/Dorcas
Verse: Acts 9:36-42 - "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor... Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed... She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up."
Interesting details:
- Her name means "gazelle" in both Aramaic (Tabitha) and Greek (Dorcas)
- She was known for making clothes for widows
- This miracle led many in Joppa to believe in the Lord
2) Peter's Vision of Clean/Unclean Animals
Verse: Acts 10:9-16 - "About noon the following day... Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat... He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners."
3) Significance:
- Changed the early church's view of Gentile inclusion
- Led to the conversion of Cornelius and his household
- Marked a pivotal moment in Christian history
Reference:
Background: Zipporah was the wife of Moses, daughter of Jethro (also called Reuel), a Midianite priest. She met Moses when he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian. Moses defended her and her six sisters from aggressive shepherds at a well, leading to their introduction and eventual marriage.
Discussion: She is most famous for a dramatic incident where she saved Moses' life by quickly circumcising their son when God threatened to kill Moses, likely for neglecting this important covenant ritual. She touched Moses' feet with the foreskin, declaring "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me" (Exodus 4:25).
She bore Moses two sons: Gershom and Eliezer. While she was sent back to Midian during the early stages of the Exodus, she was later reunited with Moses through her father's arrangement. Though appearing in only a few biblical passages,
Significance: Zipporah's decisive action and understanding of Hebrew religious practices make her a significant figure in the Exodus narrative.
References: Exodus 2:16-22, 4:24-26, 18:1-7
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