Women of the Bible

          The Bible is full of stories. Beautiful poetry, daring adventures, sacrifice, and not just heroes but heroines as well. From Hannah to Priscilla, there are many stories of faith and courage in the bible involving women. There were even female villains. God’s use of people, no matter their gender or age, reveals His love for us as well as His desire for everyone to know Him. It also shows He can use anyone, even if the person may not be anyone else’s first choice.

               Ruth was a Moabite. Her people worshipped idols and practiced human sacrifice. Naomi was from Bethlehem in Israel and worshipped the Eternal One. When a famine came to Israel, her husband took her and her sons to Moab in order to make a life for themselves. Ruth became Naomi’s daughter-in-law. After the death of Naomi’s husband and sons, she decided to return to Bethlehem. Now a widow, Ruth decided to go with her, despite her mother-in-law’s protests. (Ruth 1:16-17) “Stop pushing me away, insisting I stop following you! Wherever you will go, I will go. Wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will also die and be buried there near you. May the Eternal One punish me- and even more so- if anything besides death comes between us.” Ruth was willing to die for Naomi. She was willing to follow her anywhere, leaving her home and her family behind. That was just the beginning of her faithfulness and loyalty. In Bethlehem, Ruth went to the fields in order to provide for herself and Naomi. God blessed her through Boaz and she was able to collect more than enough food for her and Naomi. When Naomi recommended she marry Boaz, Ruth followed her instructions. King David a descendent of Ruth and Boaz because of Ruth’s faith in God. Through a foreigner, God started a line that would lead to Jesus, the promised savior of the world.

               God is not directly mentioned in the book of Esther. His existence however is still implied (Esther 4:14 “Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” Is a reference of divine purpose.). Esther shows strength in herself and faith in something greater. She was brave in the face of danger, death even, and willing to speak up for her people and beliefs. She saved her people through trust in Mordecai and the same surrender shown by many Christians.

               Priscilla and her husband Aquila were tentmakers in the time of Paul. Both of them were strong believers and helped spread the word of salvation through both words and the way they lived. They gathered fellow believers in their house so that they could worship, pray, and be together. They did this during a time when Christians were being imprisoned and stoned. Priscilla didn’t follow God just because her husband did. They followed Him in unity and God blessed them for their faith.

               There are so many heroines in the bible. They came from all areas of life, of the world, and they were all chosen by God. In man’s eye, not all of them were ideal candidates. Ruth was a Moabite. Esther was Vashti's replacement. Priscilla was a tentmaker. But God used them anyway to make a way for the savior, save His people, and spread the gospel. He chose women in a man’s world and used them to fulfill purposes only they were capable of realizing. He doesn’t see age or gender as limitations; He sees us for our hearts and the ways He can use us. We’re all equal in God’s eyes and He proves that over and over again.