The concept and usage of garment/clothing is as old as the human history. One thing that is very obvious about clothing is that it constantly undergo changes in nature and patterns. Culture, traditions, weather conditions, religions, nature of human works as well as modernization have been the major influencing factors on our forms of clothing vis-à-vis the understanding about widowhood.
Garment or clothing has a lot to reveal about an individual, a group of individuals or events. Sometime, one’s clothing may denote one’s status, occupation etc. Thus widowhood garment may be a status that manifests both physically and spiritually. Today, so many widows still wear or put on their “Widowhood Garment” (or appearances) several years after the unfortunate occurrence of the loss of their loved ones. This usually happen through:
(a) their thoughts, dispositions or feeling;
(b) their physical appearances
(c) the notion that they are the worst
In this study therefore, we examine the various ways through which widows, widowers or those who recently lost their loved ones could be helped to pull-off or remove the worrisome Garment and live a fulfilled life once again.
A. OPENING DISCUSSION
- Tell us briefly how you can easily recognize the followings without any introduction-a soldier, a nurse, a policeman and a secondary school student.
- (b) Sometime deeper understanding is required to know the status or rank of an officer (just ordinarily) because of his mode of dressing – Police, Nurse, Clergies.
(c) In the light of the following passages identify the forms of Garments mention therein
- Psalm 132:16
- Isaiah 59:17
- Zechariah 3:5
- II-Kings 25:29
- Joshua 9:5
- Zechariah 1:8
- Matthew 22:11
- Genesis 38:14
(d) Discuss the significance of one of the above mentioned Garments which you are familiar with.
B. GARMENT AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION AND ASSISTANCE
Garment speaks a lot. For several categories of peoples Garment have been strong weapon for them. We will consider a story from the Bible. Mark 10:46-52,the story of the Blind Bartimeaus.
(a) Vs 46 -48. Discuss briefly the good character traits that were inherent in the life of Bartimaeus. If he were a feeble man, he would have given up.
(b) Vs.49. Why did Jesus have to wait till this moment before attending to him given the circumstances in vs. 48. What does this teach us?
(c) Vs. 50. When he heard that Jesus was calling him, he cast his garment away, arose and came to Jesus. What did Christ’s call has to do with his garment?
(d) In the past, the Israelites were taught from the very tender age of the need to care and assist, especially the Blind individuals in the society. For this to fully materialize without problem in the society, blind persons must as a custom put on a special garment or apparel over their normal clothing so that they could be easily recognized for necessary assistance. Thus, a blind-man had no fear of traveling to any part of their society then, as long as he had his special garment on.
(e) Vs. 50 Given the background in (d) above, what risks were involved in the action of this man casting away his “garment of assistance”.
(f) Vs. 51, 52. As a Jew himself, what do you think this blind man’s action meant to Jesus Christ?
(g) Flowing from the story of this man, mention some of the garments of assistance that a widow or widower is likely to hang on and why?
(i) (ii)
(ii) (iv)
(h) What can you learn from the story of this Blind man?
(i) (ii)
C. REQUIRED ACTIONS AGAINST WIDOW-HOOD GARMENT
(a) Put it off Genesis 38:14
(b) Change it Job 30:18, Judge 14:19.
(c) Lay it down Ezekiel 42:14, Acts 7:58.
(d) Rent or tear it II-Samuel 13:31,Joshua 7:16.
(e) Hate it Jude 23
(f) Cast it away Mark 10:50.
NOTE What would have happened to Tamar if she had refused to put off her widowhood garment? Gen.38:14
D. GARMENTS TO PUT ON
(1) Garment of Praise – Isaiah 61:3.
(2) Garment of Salvation – Isaiah 61:10
(3) Garment of Strength – Prov.31:25
(4) Garment of Honour – Prov.31:25
(5) Garment of Service – Exodus 31:10,39:1,1:41
Use your five fingers to illustrate these five Garments.
CONCLUSION
One of our major concern at the JoyBearers Care Organization is how a widow(er) can be useful again to his or her church or the society at large after the horrible loss of his or her loved ones. This is the essence of the Garment of service. Do not because of the unfortunate happening that occurred to you, neglect your responsibilities to your church, family, children, parents, society etc. Put off the widowhood Garment and put on the garment of praise, salvation, strength, honour and service. God will help you as you take the step. Amen.