Doras: A Woman of Pleasant Fragrance

"In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated is Dorcas) who was always doing good and helping the poor." Acts 9:36

In the midst of the story of Saul's/Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus there is mentioned a little bit of this amazing woman who was a disciple. I felt the desire to research this woman.

Dorcas was a woman who dedicated herself to the needs of many. There is no evidence that she was ever married, although the implication of her name is that she was a beautiful and graceful woman. The Hebrew name of this woman is Tabitha, which translated into Greek is Dorcas, but in English it means 'gazelle'. A gazelle is distinguished for it's slender and beautiful form, it's graceful movements and soft brilliant eyes. This is where the implication of her beauty and grace come from.

Further on in this story we find that Dorcas got sick and died. She was taken to an upper room, in which people heard that Peter was close by and sent for him. Widows were weeping at the loss of this dear woman. There you can see the impact of Dorcas' life. Her good works weren't cause to shake the ground. She wasn't a powerful evangelist or preacher, but she used her gifts to make garments, and minister to the poor and those less fortunate.

The story continues to which Peter called everyone out of the room...

"Peter sent them all out of the room; then got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman he said 'Tabitha get up!' 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 for the believers and especially the widows (the ones who were especially touched by Dorcas personally) and presented her alive." - Acts 9:40-41

Dorcas was a woman who ministered to others. She displayed love to all. Her faith shown through the works she did and her ministry. James 2:26 says "Faith without works is dead." Luke 6:44 says 'a tree is recognized by its fruit'. We as believers are recognized by our fruit. We bear good fruit in the producing of our good works and ministries.

Herbert Lockyer the author of 'All the Woman of the Bible' said, "The practical, unselfish service of this Christian philanthropist (Dorcas), has filled the world with fragrance, for there flowed out of that little city of Joppa a multitude of benevolent and charitable organizations in which women have been prominent."

As God fearing, believing woman I pray that we will leave such a fragrance that will flow out of our ministries. There are so many woman in the Bible that left a pleasant fragrance in people's lives. Use the gifts God has given you and choose to leave a mark or special fragrance in the lives you touch. We can learn so much from the amazing woman in the Bible. I am thankful for their example in my life.