Have you ever read the story of Rizpah?

It’s okay if your immediate instinct is to ask, “Who? Do you mean Rahab? Rachel?”

Rizpah appears twice in 2 Samuel, but her role isn’t typically highlighted when the book is taught. In an excerpt from her book Abuelita Faith, Kat Armas explains why that may be the case.

“The fact that Rizpah’s story is generally unknown can be discouraging, but it isn’t surprising,” Armas writes. “It’s common for the dominant culture to overlook bodies on the margins. In order for us to recognize abuelita theologians in Scripture, we must continue to re-center those who have been ignored or pushed aside, because God often resides most powerfully among the most powerless.

Armas goes on to describe the ways that Rizpah plays a major role, even as a minor character. As a concubine, she was continually victimized by powerful men. Her sons were killed and their bodies were denied a proper burial. She faced destitution and scorn.

And yet.

Rizpah put her life on the line to seek justice for her murdered children. For six months, she stayed at the scene of their executions, believing God shared her desire for justice. And when King David—the same king who had handed over Rizpah’s sons to be killed—heard about her vigil, he ordered that the young men be properly buried.

After that, the three-year drought and famine that Israel had faced came to end.

While the circumstances may not be as dire, each of us are called to a Rizpah-like faith. In the face of oppression and marginalization, the Spirit equips us to remain steadfast, believing that God is just, loving, and sees us. And when we are those with power and privilege, we are prompted to look for the Rizpahs, knowing that God so often carries out His will through those on the margins.