Five Things We Can Learn from the Women of the Bible

Dear First name / friend,

 

 

- Proverbs 31:26 -

 

One of my favorite ways to introduce biblical concepts to my children is through storybook Bibles. Over the years we’ve used almost ten different children’s Bibles, each telling the story of the gospel in a different way. Without fail, my daughters search out the stories of Esther, Ruth, Rachel, Leah, and Mary, excited to see a girl represented in the text. For at least three of our last five All Saints’ Day celebrations, there were quarrels over who got to be Ruth and who got to be Esther. Perhaps it’s appropriate that, in the house of Every Woman a Theologian, the women of the Bible are in high demand!

 

There is much to be learned from these women. The ways they inspire my little girls aren’t that far off from the ways they inspire me. As we look forward to the launch of our latest “Not-So-Quiet Time” guide on the women of Scripture, I thought it would be worth looking at five things I’ve learned from the women of the Bible—starting with my favorite, Abigail.

 

Abigail (I Samuel 25:32–33) was the wife of a man named Nabal, a foolish but wealthy landowner who rebelled against King David. The Bible pulls no punches describing Nabal’s character; he is listed as “harsh and evil.” His name actually means “fool”! When David comes to the area, Nabal refuses the customary hospitality provided to a traveler, much more to a king. Knowing that Nabal’s behavior will surely result in the household’s death, Abigail springs into action. She comes to David with humility and deference, provides supplies for his men, and pleads on her undeserving husband’s behalf. Abigail is one of my favorite women of the Bible because of her wisdom, nobility, and restraint. She has incredible foresight and self-control. She is a defender, protector, and—in a sense—a warrior. She fights for her household even when her husband can’t be bothered to do so. And while her husband did not deserve her faithfulness, God honored it. Her work was seen by those who mattered most.

 

 

Hannah (I Samuel 1:20) was the barren wife of Elkanah. The desire of Hannah’s heart was to have a child, but infertility plagued her for years on end. On top of this, her husband was polygamous, and the second wife teased Hannah daily about her barrenness. Hannah’s husband did not come to her defense. She was deeply grieved and went to the tabernacle to pour out her heart to the Lord. Even here, the spiritual leader (Eli) couldn’t recognize the difference between grief and intoxication, labeling her a drunk! Hannah was surrounded by people, especially men, who did not empathize or understand her situation. In this time, God became her refuge. She faithfully poured out her heart to God—and He heard her. Her prayers and heart were heard by the Lord, and she went on to bear Samuel, followed by several more children. Her faith is a beautiful picture of hope in what we cannot see.

 

Ruth (Ruth 1:16)—my daughters’ favorite!—was the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi, an Israelite widow making her way from Moab back to her native land. Though Ruth was not required to go with her mother-in-law (Ruth’s husband had died), she dedicated herself to Naomi’s well-being. Her faith in God and her selfless desire to protect Naomi leads her to a foreign land. Here Ruth’s faithfulness continues, as she goes to glean wheat from the fields of wealthy landowner Boaz. Though Ruth did not come to the fields with any expectation, God surprisingly provides for her and Naomi: Boaz is a “kinsman redeemer,” a close relative of Naomi who can marry Ruth and save Naomi’s lands. Ruth’s selfless devotion paved the way for redemption and ushered in the line of David, from which the Messiah would eventually come.

 

 

Mary (Luke 1:38)—whose Jewish name was Miriam—was the teenage girl of Nazareth, an impoverished small town in the region of Galilee. When the angel Gabriel surprises Mary with the astounding news that she will bear the Messiah, Mary humbly accepts the call. By saying “be it unto me as you have spoken,” Mary was accepting shame, rejection, and the loss of everything she’d known. Her betrothed, Joseph, began the process of divorcing her for infidelity. She could have been stoned for this! Mary continued to believe God’s word to her until the angel also came to Joseph, confirming the message. Mary’s suffering did not end there: in bearing Jesus, Mary would know not just the pain of childbirth but also the pain of watching her son die on the cross at only 33 years of age. In her obedience, Mary chose the hardest possible path. But because of her faith and boldness, we experience the freedom of Christ today.

 

Priscilla (Acts 18:1–3) the wife of Aquila worked alongside the apostle Paul making tents. This task served to raise funds for Paul’s missionary journeys. In addition to this, Priscilla and Aquila were active members of the early apostolic church, most likely hosting the early Christians in their home. Priscilla was wise in the Scriptures and is mentioned alongside her husband in Acts 18, where she and Aquila invite the evangelist Apollos to their home “to explain to him the way of God more adequately” (v. 26). It is significant that Priscilla’s name is mentioned first; this is a sign of authority and leadership not commonly applied to New Testament women. Priscilla’s dedication to truth and consistent hospitality ushered the church forward in a time of great persecution.

There are so many more women in Scripture worth studying, and I hope you’ll join me and my girls as we dive into the new Women of the Bible guide—launching on Black Friday! This is the third in our series of “Not-So-Quiet Time” guides. They are easy to use, multisensory guides that take you through Scripture with art, music, poetry, and Scripture memory. Mark your calendars! 

 

Important Reminders: