I began the Strong Women in The Bible highlighting my favorites. I had to curtail the post for swift readability. This is the third and concluding post of the sub-series. You will find the previous posts here, Please read along and, at the end, nominate your favorite from the eight. If you have a Strong Woman in The Bible not highlighted, please feel free to mention it in the comments.
“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30
Proverbs 31
The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31 comes to mind when we talk or hear about biblical women. The Chapter embodies characteristics of a Strong Woman then and now. The Modern Chapter 31 Woman carries a cellphone and iPad on one hand and her running shoes on the other. She is ready to change from office wear to gym wear to the evening office function in a swift. And on arrival at home, equally swift to place her portfolio on the table and grab the blender and pot to prepare dinner for her household. Men, she wears several hats for which she’s hardly acknowledged!
Reading on, Esther, Hannah, Mary, Naomi, Rahab, and Sarah all embody the Proverbs 31 and more!
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Esther
We begin with Esther, also known as Hadassah, as a Proverb 31 and Strong Woman in the Bible. Esther is one of two women who has a Book in the Bible dedicated to her. Though I do not like the manner in which she married the king, Ahasuerus, her story is nonetheless unique in that, by prayer and fasting, she saved her tribe/nation.
“… Esther obtained favor in the sight of all them that looked upon her” She also obtained grace and favor in the king’s sight that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen.”
Book of Esther
Esther was a Jew, but she had not yet shown her kindred nor her people in the palace; as her uncle Mordecai, who raised her, had charged her.
A decree was made that would kill all Jews. Her uncle Mordecai, on hearing, sent a message to Esther stating, “Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews …
maybe thou has come for such a time as this.” Esther requested that all Jews in the city join her to pray and fast for three days so she can go to the king to reverse the decree.
“And if I perish, I perish.”
Have you ever gotten to a point of dilemma where you knew something’s got to give? What do you do? Take cue from Esther and remember; “not by might, nor by power …” I pray that you find favor and grace with God always.
Hannah
Hannah was a prophetess and worshipper in Jerusalem. She was the Mother of Samuel, the prophet. Um 😟 a parent-prophet/ess bears a child/children-prophets/prophetesses! Parents please pay attention to your children and help develop their gifting early.
Bible readers and scholars are familiar with Hannah’s story which is one of hope, faith, and perseverance. She was one of two wives but the more-dearly-loved by her husband. However, “the Lord shut her womb” that she was unable to conceive. “Lord shut her womb” simply means that it was by divine resolution and not medical or anything was wrong with her womb. Meanwhile the other wife was popping out babies like a puppy! She also reveled in making Hannah miserable. Hannah fasted and prayed earnestly for a child. She finally got her wish and dedicated her son back to God. Read her story in the Book of 1 Samuel 1.
“For as the woman originates from the man, so also man is born through the woman; and all things [whether male or female] originate from God [as their Creator].” – 1 Corinthians 11:12 AMP
Mary
There are a few Marys in The Bible. We’ll only highlight Mary, the wife of Joseph and mother of our Lord Jesus. By sheer virtue of being the Lord’s mother, her story need no introduction to any. A woman of faith and unfathomable trust. A woman of strength watching her son’s persecution and still trusting! I pray that we all grow stronger and deeper in our faith and trust in God. You can read extensively about Mary, mother of Jesus, in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Naomi
As I began to write on Naomi, I paused and wondered “maybe I should have chosen Ruth instead.” Ruth is the other woman dedicated with a Book in the Bible. But, I’ll stick to my initial choice.
Naomi embodies strength under control having faced tremendous adversities. Few, men or women, would have lost their minds under such adverse conditions. Naomi is Orpah and Ruth’s mother-in-law. She found herself suddenly widowed. Shortly after, both her sons died. Naomi entreated with her daughters-in-law to return to their parents’ homes. Orpah kissed her and left, but Ruth chose to stay to care for her.
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” – Ruth 1:16-17
Together, they “formed an alliance to further empower themselves.” May you have godly alliances.
Rahab
God will use the most unlikely of us for His purposes. Such was the case with this “strong woman.” Rahab was a harlot who, according to Wikipedia, helped to “hide two men who had been sent to reconnoiter the city prior to their attack.” – Joshua 2:3-23
Sarah
If Abraham was the father of all nations, Sarah, his wife, can equally and rightfully be called the mother of all nations. Despite Sarah’s age, the Bible says that she was past childbearing age, believed God and still bore a son, Isaac, at the age of 99.
“Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.”
Hebrews 11:11
Modern day women are almost nearing this age in natural childbearing. I have seen women who had their first child at 40, 50, and even 60-years! Any woman reading this who desires a child and is struggling, I want to encourage you to believe and hope in God that it will surely happen. I struggled for a few years before having my own. Despite assurances from my doctor and gynecologist, it just didn’t happen. I could blog about this another time.
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Thank you for taking the time to read my favorite Strong Women of The Bible. I hope there was a nugget or two glimpsed from it. Have any question on any of the Women, please feel free to ask. Also leave a comment on what blessed you; share and like 😊❤️✌🏾🙏🏾
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