“Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night” (2 Samuel 21:10)

The reason her sons were executed and hung on trees was to stop a plague from God. Christ was executed to stop the plague of sin in your life. He “bore our sins in His own body on the tree ... by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). He became “a curse for you (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree") ... that you might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14). 

 Saints should never forget how Christ stopped the plague of sin in their lives, and how they received the Holy Spirit. If the love of Rizpah for her slain sons could make her do what she did for so long a period, shouldn’t we keep fresh in our minds the sufferings of our Lord? Just as she drove away the birds, we should chase off worldly and sinful thoughts that make us forget why we are set free from sin. Away, you evil birds! Leave the sacrifice alone! 

 She bore the heat of summer, the night dews and the rains, unsheltered and alone. Her heart was too full for slumber. How she loved her children! If Rizpah could stand vigil, we can remember the suffering of our Lord. If she chased away wild beasts, we can “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1). She was not responsible for their death, but our sin was the reason Christ had to die. Our obligation to Christ is endless, our love and repentance should be sincere. To watch with Jesus should be our business, to protect His honor our life, to abide by His cross our strength. 

 Rizpah must have frequently looked away from the rotting corpses, but we can continuously look at Christ on the cross. There’s nothing more beautiful than our dying Savior. Jesus, we will watch with You, and if You reveal Your mysteries, we won’t only mourn, but exalt in Your life!