If you have been around for a while, you know that I am a Christian. Now while I do not talk about my faith much on this page, today I wanted to share something that I stumbled across while reading my bible this past week.
It’s about Dorcas.
Don’t know who Dorcas is? Maybe you know her by the name Tabitha. Still not ringing a bell? Yeah, it didn’t for me either. I have read my bible through and through a couple of times now. But she’s in there. I don’t know why I didn’t remember her before. But this past week she jumped off the page at me.
Let me back up.
When I read my bible in the morning, I do this weird thing. I actually read 4 different parts of the bible every day, with 4 different bookmarks. I start off with a Psalm, then read some of the Old Testament, some of the New Testament, and end with Proverbs. I like how it breaks it up, starting me off with worship – leading me into old testament (pointing to Jesus), to new testament (Jesus comes), and ending with wisdom to keep with me all day long. It suits me well, especially when I get to parts of the bible that can be long-winded (Chronicles anyone? Lol).
Well, I have been reading through Exodus lately and am always amazed at the level of DETAIL that God gives the Jewish people for constructing the Garments, the Tabernacle, and more. The bible essentially lays out a detailed pattern of every item made, as well as how to make these items. And calls for gifted woodworkers and seamstresses to make such items from the finest linens, wood, gold, and more.
Now while these chapters can tend to blur together while reading, I am always amazed at the sheer level of detail God gives. No item is left open for discussion. God was in the DETAIL of these patterns and designs. God himself was a creator first and foremost, as creator of the universe. And He created detailed patterns for us to follow.
Fast forward to the New Testament, Acts 9:36-43.
We are told that a woman named Tabitha, Dorcas in Greek, has died. Her friends are grief stricken, and call on the disciple Peter who happened to be visiting a town nearby to come quickly. He arrives, and here is what happens…
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.
This woman was a seamstress people!!!
How had I never noticed that a seamstress was given such prominence in the bible before?
The name Dorcas means gazelle, which is often referred to as an emblem of beauty in the bible. Beauty not being ones external appearance, but rather referring to their actions. Dorcas was using her God given gifts to clothe widows and those in need. After doing some research, I found that there is an entire society now named after her called the ‘Dorcas Society’. People in church groups who get together to provide clothing for the poor.
Dorcas inspired a MOVEMENT that still exists today!
Nothing is mentioned about Dorcas after this passage in Acts. I did a little google search, and here is what I was able to come up with. I will admit, much of it is speculation, but it is interesting to read nonetheless…
So the next time you are wondering whether your sewing means anything, or cursing the amount of detail in the sewing pattern you are working on, think of these two things.
- God is in the detail. From the beginning of time, He is all about that detail. He always has been, and He always will be.
- Think of Dorcas. The seamstress that made it into the bible and inspire a movement based on her gift of sewing and helping others.
It’s amazing how the bible can open up to you, each and every time you read it, no matter how many times you have read it before.
Dorcas. Who knew?
I have always loved the story of Dorcas because she sewed. That and of Lydia, the dealer in purple cloth.
So glad you’ve discovered Dorcas, Jessica. She was a special woman and God honored her for her kind deeds for others. To think there are lots of people out there who think the Bible is “down on women”. Prov. 31:30-31
I’m so sharing this with my sewers, quilters and knitters from church group! Thank you.
Thank you AND God bless you for starting my day in The Word <3
Genevieve
Cool beans! I had no idea. That is really of inspiring?
Thanks for this! Something unexpected to refix my attention where it should be this morning! Great story. Who knew?!
Love this so much!
Oh my gosh! I’m at a loss for words. So inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your discovery with us.
I enjoyed this devotional this morning! I learned bunches. I didn’t equate my love of creating things with fabric and thread with Bible characters until this morning. I,too, allowed these tidbits to blur when I read God’s word. I’m ashamed a little, and grateful now. Thanks for following the Holy Spirit’s lead today!!
Thanks for this Biblical insight. I too had overlooked Dorcas’s occupation as seamstress and I am glad you brought that to light. I have considered Lydia’s profession, and this adds to regarding God’s endowment in women.
Thanks for this my dear! Please have a BLESSED day.
Thank you for this. Although I do remember reading about all the detail of the garments and tabernacle constructions in the Bible, somehow I do not remember reading about Dorcas. I enjoyed this post.
It’s funny how God’s Word always shows you what you need to see when you need to see it. I have read the passage about Dorcas several times as well and the part about her being a seamstress never jumped out at me.
Thank you so much for sharing this and for allowing God to use you. I’m sure that someone who read this needed to hear from God.
Hi Jessica, I have been following you for a while and enjoy your take on sewing, but even more enjoy your take on life! Especially the fact that without fanfare, you share your faith!
So take it from a 71 year old mom of 4 and grandma of 21, all our own. No steps, add ins etc. just kids who like big families:-) Anyway, I have been sewing since I was 14 and love all of the memories of the projects with and for the kids, grands and their homes!
All to say keep it up! Keep inspiring young moms to take up sewing as a wonderful way to make memories!
I had not heard of her either. I like your method for reading the Bible – it sounds like a good way to do it.
I often LISTEN to the Bible. I use http://kjvmp3.com/, and my favorite is “Listen or Read through the Bible In One Year” the narrator is fabulous- the audio is clear, concise, and he doesn’t rush through. He explains the chapters, announces whether it is Old or New Testament, and makes a short commentary. I love it! I’ve managed to memorize so many chapters this way. I copy the mp3 link, paste into my Playlist on Windows Media Player software, I make a list of several of these so I have at least a few hrs of Bible reading in there. I listen to the same ones over and over again so it will “stick” plus some of the stories you want to read again and again.
Another seamstress/needlework reference is in Proverbs, about the good wife who makes and sells her needlework. Prov 31 :13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
I was the one who needed to hear from God. Not only that, your post was most humbling. I won’t go into detail but I praise you for being faithful to the word and posting it on a secular group. We all minister in many ways. Each is as important as another. All seamstresses remind me of a proverbs 31 women. Rubies with or without a gold setting. All valuable.
God bless your sweet soul
Wow, this such a beautiful post. I reread the story of Dorcas just recently and realized she was a seamstress. I don’t know why It never registered when I read about her in the past. As many others have said, “thank you” for having the courage to share your faith in this increasingly secular world.
Thank you for this post. I am starting up a sewing/quilting group at our church and was looking for a bible study that might go along. This popped up on Google and I’m glad it did. It has helped me see that even through there might not be a study book out there, there are a lot of scriptures to read, study, and talk about.