04/03/2024
MARCH is Womenâs Month and as we recognize and celebrate the role and purpose and of all women, we would like to share some thoughts about women. We start this week with this:
â10 Stories of Women in the Bible Who Made A Positive Impactâ
By: Undoubted Grace (https://undoubtedgrace.com/women-in-the-bible/?epik=dj0yJnU9OUpNdTk1LUR3WWFuLU1lcUdHRlR4T1ZUZ29KdkZaSnUmcD0wJm49akJtd084Rl9udDljUTQ1QnZXYzZGdyZ0PUFBQUFBR1hqeW5N)
The following biblical women can teach us a lot about faithfulness, courage, leadership, and wisdom. The stories of these strong women are as unique as the women of today, and the lessons we can learn from them just as impactful! These stories come from both the old testament and new testament of the bible. These stories arenât mere historical fiction, instead these are powerful stories of real women of unwavering faith who despite difficult situations, played a key role in Godâs plan! Letâs look at the stories of these great women of the bible.
1 â Jochebed
She is the wife of Amram, a Levite, and the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. (Exodus 6:20).
As a mother, she had to sacrifice and entrust her youngest sonâs life in Godâs hand. She gave birth to him during the Israeliteâs dark days, at a time when the Pharaoh issued a decree to kill all Hebrew baby boys in the land by throwing them into the Nile River. For three months, she courageously hid and nursed her baby. But he was growing fast and soon couldnât be hidden.
With a broken heart, Jochebed had to make a drastic decisionâlet go of the baby and let God take care of him. So, she made a papyrus basket, painted it with tar and pitch, tucked her child in it, and strategically put it among the Nile river reeds (Exodus 2:3). The story ends with the pharaohâs daughter finding Moses and taking him in as her own, mosesâ sister miriam suggests his mother as a nurse maid, and the rest is history!
In her story, we see how God works when we entrust to Him our all. We know what had become of Moses, the baby that Jochebed tried to protect.
In Hebrews 11, Jochebed is included among the heroes of faith. Why not? Her life is one best example of how to walk in faith and with hope.
When she saved her son, little, did she know that she would impact world history? She had raised a great leader and legislator, a high priest, prophetess, musician, and poet.
2 â The Slave Girl of Naamanâs Wife
The Jewish girl was a servant, yet she was brave to suggest something critical to her mistress, the army commanderâs wife. Commander Naaman was a brave man, but he contracted leprosy. At that time, if you were a l***r, you were an outcast. Leprosy is contagious and discriminating.
But since Naaman was rich, he just needed to be quarantined in his house. Despite the health risk and threat in her environment, the young slave girl stayed loyal to her masters. Not only that, she showed compassion to them. She wanted healing for Naaman. Thatâs why she suggested that he go and find healing from Elisha in Samaria.
The girl must have shown good testimony to the family such that the high-ranking official obliged.
Here, we see how enormous her faith wasâin Godâs power and in the prophetâs ability to heal the sick. Hers is a sufficient faith. She gave hope to her masters. Her testimony and the healing of Naaman were witnessed to the latterâs family, King Ben-Hadad, and King Jehoram. Her faith resulted in Naamanâs salvation (from the disease and judgment) when he believed and acknowledged the God of the heavens (2 Kings 5:14-15).
3 â Rahab
Rahabâs story in Joshua 2:9-13 is a fantastic harlot-to-heroine tale. She has helped change human historyâall by faith! Yes, she is also included among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11.
She may be labeled as a dirty woman, but her one choice made her one of the greatest. When the spies that Joshua sent to Jericho were being hunted down, she accommodated the spies and hid them on her rooftop. She guided her townsfolk in the wrong direction so that the spies can escape. So when the city of Jericho crumbled, only she and her family were spared.
Hers is a courageous faith. She could have decided to work with the king she knew. But she chose the leap of faith, working with a heavenly King whom she doesnât know.
Her choice led to the rise of Israel as a nation. It also led her to be included in the generational line that led to King David then to Jesus.
4 â Deborah
Her time is like our time. People were into apostasy. The Israelites whom God has chosen to influence the world were themselves being influenced by their heathen neighbors. Life was chaotic and confusing. Everybody does their own thing as they see fit.
We read about her account in Judges 4.
Deborah was a wise and courageous judge and a prophet. Sheâs also known as a female military leader. Why not? God used her to prompt the doubtful and reluctant Commander Barak to action. Her faith was a divine enthusiasm. It helped the shaky start of Barak to finish strong. So, in the end, their army was victorious in the battle.
5 â Ruth
She was the great grandmother of Israelâs greatest king, David, in the family line of Jesus. That was already a significant impact. But behind humble story of Ruth is more to learn. Through her story, we see just how specific godâs plan is for the world.
Ruth became a widow just after 10 years of her marriage to an Israelite. Instead of going back home to her mother and father after her husbandâs death, she decided and insisted on staying with her mother-in-law, Naomi, who was also a widow. What compassion she had!
She traveled with Naomi back to Judah, where she worked diligently in the fields of Boaz. And just like some rags-to-riches love stories, Ruth and Boaz eventually got married.
Whatâs so impactful in her story?
The moment she took a vow that Naomiâs God will be her God, her faith had led her and her family into an unforgettable legacy. Sheâa non-Israeliteâbecame a direct ancestor of the worldâs Redeemer.
Not only that, her influence lives on. Look at your Bible. Her name is privileged to be one of the canonized books as the book of Ruth.
6 â Hannah
In the Bible, she was the fourth woman ever mentioned to have suffered infertility. But unlike the other three (Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel), she didnât do any retaliation, even if her husbandâs other wife bullied her for being barren. Her narrative is found in 1 Samuel 1-2.
She only knew one thingâtake her pain to the One Who really cares. She never doubted God and fervently prayed until something happened.
Despite being mistaken as drunk, she humbly presented her plea to Priest Eli, who helped intercede for her. In asking for a child, she wasnât being selfish. She promised to commit her child to Godâs service. Godâs promises stood true and she soon birthed a baby boy! She bore Samuel and raised him well.
For Hannah, being a mother brings happiness. But keeping her promise to God is joy everlasting.
Any mother would be impacted by her courageous and faithful move to leave her childâher long-awaited, hardly-prayed-for sonâat the temple. She should have been anxious about getting separated from her firstborn. But she trusted God and kept her words. For this, God blessed her with five more children. What a motherâs prayer can do!
Her impact can be seen on her son, Samuel, a great prophet and guide for the Israelites during King Saul and Davidâs time.
7 â Queen Esther
Her story is another rags-to-riches tale. Her name was Hadassah, and she was an orphan and an exile. Her cousin Mordecai took care of her as his own child.
When the king was looking for a wife through an unusual beauty pageant, the young girl was forcibly taken away from her cousin to compete for the kingâs favor. Her name was changed to Esther, which means âstar.â She did become a star.
Aside from outshining other ladies in the contest and becoming the queen of Persia, her actions as royalty were gleaming.
We all know her story as Esther, the brave queen. What was courage for her? Itâs not acting and confronting the battle immediately. In fact, she felt helpless at first. When her people, the Jews, were to be annihilated, instead of moving forward to the battle, she took a step back, consulted her mentor and elder, Mordecai, prayed, fasted, and waited on Godâs perfect timing. This way, she was more enlightened on which move to take. Yes, she may have felt helpless, but she was never hopeless.
Her faith and selflessness cannot be discounted in her story. She loved her people more than herself, her status, and her riches. She willingly risked her life to save her people.
Like Ruth, Estherâs name stands out forever, for hers is a book in the Bible. The book of Ester is one of just 2 books in the bible named after women. Moreover, Estherâs bold action is commemorated until today by her people, the Jews, through the feast of Purim.
8 â Mary, Mother of Jesus
For sure, we all agree that Maryâs impact on this world lies in her son, Jesus Christ.
But not only that, the lessons in her life story have a tremendous practical touch on our lives as Christians as well as the beauty of Godâs divine plan.
We know that Mary was a young lady when God called her to be the bearer of the Messiah. She was betrothed at that time to Joseph. In their time, it would be very shameful to be pregnant when you are not yet married.
But Mary, in simple faith and obedience, accepted the call. She didnât mind what other people would think and say about her. All she knew was she was serving her heavenly King.
And what selflessness she has too! Though it was hard for her to see her son being crucified, and though it was not so clear to her why the Savior should die, she trusted Godâs word.
Her sacrifices are felt by the world until today.
9 â Elizabeth
Elizabeth was Maryâs cousin. Though Elizabeth and her husband had been praying to God for a child, she was barren until in her old age, when God blessed and touched her womb. She became the mother of the faithful John the Baptist, who prepared the way for our Lord. Yes, John was a miracle baby.
Elizabeth, as a mother, reared her son in the way of the Lord. As her husband was unable to speak, she had to speak up for her son and family. During Johnâs circumcision, their relatives insisted that they name the baby after his fatherâs name. But Elizabeth had to speak up and stand firm on Godâs instruction (Luke 1:59-61).
Moreover, we see in her a friend and a sister for Mary. Her words for Mary are supportive and uplifting, full of blessings. Who would not forget these beautiful words in Luke 1:42: âBlessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your wombâ?
Indeed, a mother impacts the world through the way she rears and trains her child and this beautiful woman shows just that.
10 â Mary Magdalene
In the story of Jesus, she was also prominent. She was a great witness of the Saviorâs miracles.
In her life alone, Jesus delivered her from seven demons (Luke 8:2). That was her turning point in life. She became a supporter and close follower of Jesus in His ministry.
Her dedication can be seen in her presence in the most historical time of the Redeemerâs life. She was there when Jesus was crucified (John 19:25), and she had the privilege to first see the risen Savior after His resurrection (John 20:15-16).
She was the first bearer of the good news of which, until today, we, Christians, are spreading to the world: Jesus has risen!
Faith: The Common Denominator
As we read through the stories of these influential women who have beautiful hearts, we see the key to their legacyâFAITH!
With their faith, even as tiny as a mustard seed, they moved, touched, and blessed the world as a whole. They may not have moved mountains, but their trust and obedience to God caused a ripple effect that impacted even us today.
Christian woman, you are a great one, a valuable person in Godâs sight. Whether you like it or not, you influence this world. You cannot say that you are just a nobody.
Your circumstance may not be a favorable one; your past may be a shameful experience. Or you may be thinking of your age.
God does not define us by those. He blesses and calls us all.
Look at the stories of these female characters. One is unnamed. Most had no power, prestige, or popularity.
God even uses ordinary people, the unlikely ones. He uses the weak to touch or topple the strong. You can do something good for this world or even for just someone. You are an important part of Godâs story.
The Scriptures got lots of promises for you. You are loved and not condemned. You are Godâs, and He has made you wonderfully. Youâre never alone. And youâre a chosen one.
Whoever and wherever you are and whatever situation you are in, always remember: Youâve got a womanâs touch, a gift of God.
