Tamar In The Bible: An Unintentional Hero
Tamars story has often been buried and untold. Her tale is just a bit too scandalous to bring up in sermons or Bible stories. She is the woman that fooled her father-in-law into sleeping with her to force him to fulfill his godly obligations. Her story, as odd as it mean seem, is full of rich lessons and it shows us the heart of God.
And there are other Old Testament heroines who I will be adding to the series in the next few weeks. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter below and be notified with each addition.
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Forgotten Betrayed Reviled: The Lost Women Of The Bible
It is a truism that history is written by the victors.
Western history and culture have their roots deep in the Judaeo-Graeco-Roman tradition, and it is a strongly patriarchal tradition. Archaeological evidence points to earlier matriarchal cultures which preceded the pervasive patriarchal bias, but by the time written literature began, this matriarchal culture had been suppressed, pushed to the margins into folktale, superstition, and myth. The patriarchal principle had won the battle for social dominance.
And men wrote our history.
One of the earliest written records is, of course, the Bible. Assembled over several centuries, it is not simply a testament of faith. The Old Testament is an historical record of a nomadic peoples wanderings over the Middle East and North Africa followed by their settlement in Judaea. It also contains a carefully preserved genealogy of families and tribes, and a collection of some of the worlds most memorable stories. The New Testament takes matters forward into the birth of the modern world and the foundation of Christianity. The worlds three great faiths Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all rooted in this extraordinary book, a book which has outsold every other and whose influence on our thoughts, culture, literature, and history is incalculable. Would our individual perceptions of ourselves be the same without this influence? Difficult to say.
Where are the women?
But not the women.
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Other Notable Women In The Jewish Scriptures
The creation of the first woman in Genesis designated Eve as “the mother of all living” and is at the center of the fall story in Eden. She convinced Adam to eat the forbidden fruit, and thus mortality entered the lives of humans. Both later Rabbinic texts as well as Christian teaching claimed that she seduced Adam. made this the focus of the innovative Christian doctrine of the original sin. This seduction by Eve still resonates in Western literature, art, and views of the nature of women.
The book of Ruth takes place in the time of Judges. It tells the story of Naomi who left her homeland in Bethlehem and married a man in Moab . She had two sons who married local women. When her sons died, and she was widowed, she wanted to return to Bethlehem. Naomi told her daughters-in-law that they should remain.
Ruth spoke up:
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.
Many people continue to utilize this passage in wedding vows.
Bathsheba
The Judgment of Solomon
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Women Financially Supported Jesus Ministry
The three women who support Jesus are also important to Luke . Mary Magdalene will be a witness at the cross and at the empty tomb. Joanna has a high social status as the wife of Herods steward, and she is also a witness to the empty tomb .
We know nothing more about Susanna than her place in this list. The mix of a woman who was possessed and healed in an exorcism with one of some status shows the reach of Jesus across the entire social stratum. The issue is not social position but responsiveness. As financial supporters of Jesus, they help make his work possible and show the partnership Luke values as an important contribution. A poor widow in 21:14 will also show that women can handle what means God gives them to offer support for the worship of God.
The Gospel Changes The Story About Women
The Gospel of Luke shows us women from a wide range of social standings, and often portrays their interactions with Jesus in parallel with similar interactions he had with men.
Jesus frequently disregarded cultural norms to help the marginalized. And in many cases, that meant doing the unthinkable as a Jewish rabbihe treated women like people, created in the image of God and profoundly loved by default.
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The Daughters Of Zelophehad
These five amazing women, Malah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, show us that sometimes you just need to speak up to ask for what is just. As Israel was preparing itself to enter into the promised land, these ladies realized that because of their unique situation they would be missing out. So they marched right up to the male leadership and asked for what they felt was rightly theirs.
Women In The Bible That God Used To Save And Lead Others
The Bible tells the stories of many women, but we dont always realize the leadership lessons their lives speak. Women in leadership roles within the church and ministry have become a hot topic today. It’s important to look back at the ways God used the lives of women to change nations! Women held various roles in the Old and New Testaments. Judges, prophets, doctors…there are plenty of examples of women in the Bible who stepped out of the norms of society and became remarkable leaders.
Lets take a look at 10 women in the Bible whose stories teach what it means to lead, serve, and love.
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Women In The Bible: Rachel
Rachel is the wife to Jacob and was chosen by God to be the mother of Joseph, one of the most important figures in the Bible. Her story teaches us about faithfulness and waiting on the Lord.
Rachel is one of the most well-known women of the Bible. She is known for her beauty, her kindness, and her loyalty.
She was a devoted wife and mother, and she was fiercely protective of her family.
Rachels story is one of tragedy and loss, but also of hope and redemption.
After years of living with her husband and her fathers family, she is able to return with her husband and children to his homeland. Although we dont know much about her death, Rachels legacy lives on through her two sons Joseph and Benjamin.
Her story is an inspiration to all who read it, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
Inspirational Strong Women Of The Bible
Strong women inspire me. From young girls using their voices to grandmothers raising up the next generation to be confident in themselves, its amazing to witness courageous women in action. And in a time where equality is still fiercely fought for, we want to celebrate International Womens Day by honouring some of the great women of the Bible whose strength and compassion still resonates.
And throughout the world, girls and women are being empowered every day through Compassion child sponsorship and Survival programmes to be their modern-day counterparts. From the faithful Martha to the courageous Abigail, we hope this collection of some of our favourite Bible stories of women encourages you.
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Scripture On The Life Of Mary:
âSix months after Elizabeth knew she was to become a mother, Gabriel was sent from God to Nazareth. Nazareth was a town in the country of Galilee. He went to a woman who had never had a man.
Her name was Mary.
She was promised in marriage to a man named Joseph. Joseph was of the family of David. The angel came to her and said, âYou are honored very much. You are a favored woman. The Lord is with you. You are chosen from among many women.â When she saw the angel, she was troubled at his words. She thought about what had been said.
The angel said to her, âMary, do not be afraid. You have found favor with God. See! You are to become a mother and have a Son. You are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great. He will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give Him the place where His early father David sat. He will be King over the family of Jacob forever and His nation will have no end.ââ
Women In The Bible: Sarah
Sarah is a wife and mother who was chosen by God to be the founding matriarch of Israel. Her story teaches us about faithfulness and obedience.
Sarah was one of the most important women of the Bible. She was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac. Sarah was also a great example of faith.
Even though she was old, she believed that God would give her a son. And she was right!
God did give her a son, and Sarah named him Isaac, which means he who laughs.
Sarah is an important figure in the Old Testament. She is a role model of faith for all believers and an example of how God keeps His promises.
Sarah is an important woman in the Bible because she teaches us that we can always trust God.
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Women In The Bible: Miriam
Miriam was a prophetess and sister of Moses who led the Israelites through the wilderness. Her story teaches us about courage and faithfulness.
Miriam is one of the most iconic women in the Bible. The sister of Moses and Aaron, she was instrumental in leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.
Miriam is also a symbol of strength and resilience, as she faced many challenges during her life, including spending time in exile.
While Miriam is not as well-known as some of the other women in the Bible, she remains an important figure in both Jewish and Christian tradition.
Check Out These Additional Bible Verse Posts
For additional encouraging Bible verses and Bible verse posts, check out these resources:
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Rachel: A Beloved Wife
Rachel was a beautiful woman who was wronged by her father who deceptively arranged for Leah, Rachels older sister, to marry Rachels love, Jacob. Rachel persevered and patiently waited seven years to become Jacobs second wife. Unfortunately Rachel had difficulty conceiving and competed with Leah over Jacobs love throughout her life.
She Is Called And We Are Called
This bleeding womans story interacts with all of our stories because we, like her, have been in need of healing at some point or another. We have been outcasts or have felt abandoned by our communities or our friends. We have been in need of a merciful touch by God and by the body of Christ incarnate in our sisters and brothers here with us. Think of a time when you felt like you were at your end. Think of that space and ask God to show you where Jesus was in that space. What was he like? What did he refer to you as?
These stories are not telling us that we will always be healed, but rather, what it looks like to reach out to Jesus in times of pain and heartache, isolation and loneliness, in order to receive the gift of truth: you are beloved and known intimately by your creator.
Michael Lindvall puts it this way in his reflection on the passage:
One personal affirmation in this biblical story is that, beyond even physical healing, acceptance, intimacy, and touch can make us whole and give us peace. We are, in fact, shaped and made human in relationship to other persons. Our relationshipsin the church, in friendships, and in marriageare not just something extra added on to life for distraction and entertainment, as if we would be complete human beings in individual isolation. Relationship, touch if you will, makes us human and whole.
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Women In The Bible: Leah
Leahs story teaches us about love and sacrifice.
Leah was one of the wives of Jacob, and the mother of six of his children. She was the elder sister of Rachel, Jacobs other wife.
Leah is often portrayed as a meek and submissive woman, but she was also fiercely faithful to her family.
Leahs story is a reminder that even the most unlikely people can display great courage and fortitude.
Jael The Ordinary Woman With The Heart Of A Lion
Judges 4:17-22 and 5: 6, 24
When the war-weary, defeated general of Canaanite forces staggered into Jaels encampment, he couldnt have known that through her husband the calculating woman had bonds that obligated her to Israel. She sheltered Sisera, hid him, gave him milk when he asked for water, and comforted him until he slept. Then Jael, tiny in stature compared to the fearsome Sisera, murdered him in his sleep, fulfilling Deborahs prophecy.
Jaels story lets us know sometimes a girl has to slay the giants in her life, using whatever crude tools are available. Jaels hands may have been bloodied in the process, but Israel experienced 40 years of peace because of her lion-hearted act.
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Why We Should Study The Women Of The Bible
Through all the books ever written and studies made, Christian women need to know that there is no shortage of incredible women in the Bible, and each one has a unique story to tell.
From Eve to Mary, the women of the Bible teach us about strength in the face of adversity, faith in the midst of doubt, and love in the midst of hate.
They also remind us that God uses ordinary women to do extraordinary things.
We can also gain a greater appreciation for the ways that He uses women to accomplish His purposes.
So whether youre looking to deepen your understanding of the scriptures or simply want to be inspired by some amazing stories, make sure to study the women of the Bible.
The Bible is full of assurances that we are children of God, heirs to His kingdom, beloved and accepted in Christ. Here are 25+ life changing Bible verses that tell us In Christ I Am.
The Women Of The Bible Speak: The Wisdom Of 16 Women And Their Lessons For Today
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The women of the Bible lived timeless stories–by examining them, we can understand what it means to be a woman of faith.
People unfamiliar with Scripture often assume that women play a small, secondary role in the Bible. But in fact, they were central figures in numerous Biblical tales. It was Queen Esther’s bravery at a vital point in history which saved her entire people. The Bible contains warriors like Jael, judges like Deborah, and prophets like Miriam. The first person to witness Jesus’ resurrection was Mary Magdalene, who promptly became the first Christian evangelist, eager to share the news which would change the world forever.
In The Women of the Bible Speak, Fox News Channel’s Shannon Bream opens up the lives of sixteen of these Biblical women, arranging them into pairs and contrasting their journeys. In pairing their stories, Shannon helps us reflect not only on the meaning of each individual’s life, but on how they relate to each other and to us.
The Women of the Bible Speak outlines the lessons we can take from the valor of Esther, the hope of Hannah, the audacity of Rahab, and the faith of Mary. In broadening each woman’s individual story, Shannon offers us a deeper understanding of each, and wisdom and insights that can transform our own lives today.
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Jochebed: Mother Of Moses
Jochebed, the mother of Moses, influenced history by surrendering what she treasured most to the will of God. When the Egyptians began killing the male babies of Hebrew slaves, Jochebed put baby Moses in a waterproof basket and set it adrift on the Nile River.
Pharaoh’s daughter found and adopted him as her own son. God arranged it so Jochebed could be the baby’s wet nurse. Even though Moses was raised as an Egyptian, God chose him to lead his people to freedom. The faith of Jochebed saved Moses to become Israel’s great prophet and lawgiver.
Significant Women In Biblical Stories
Exploring the women of the Bible can give you strong role models for your own walk with God. The Bible introduces us to several noteworthy females, from popular characters such as Eve and Mary to lesser-known heroines like Rahab and Naomi. Devoting time to studying women of the Bible can help you understand the role of females in the eyes of the Lord and shape your own life in accordance with His word. Here are three biblical women you should get to know.
Rahab
Rahabs name means Storm, and Broad predicating her strong role as a female character in the Bible. Rahab was clever and wise, as well as a dedicated servant to the Lord. Her story begins in Joshua 2:1-21, where we meet her as a prostitute living in Jericho, the Promised Land. Rahabs job was to entertain guests coming to Jericho from all over the East. Rahab heard stories of the God of the Israelites during her time in Jericho and talk of the Israelites taking hold of the Promised Lands.
Joshua, leader of the Israelites, sent two spies to Jericho to figure out its secrets. Rahab hides the two spies in her home and lies to the king of Jericho about their whereabouts. In return for her help, she asks that the spies guarantee the safety of her family. Rahab puts her trust in the Lord and risks her life for Him without hesitation, making her a strong symbol of Christian faith. Rahab and her family survive the battle of Jericho, and she lives on to become an ancestor of King David .
Sarah
Naomi
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