INTRODUCTION
Do not judge. You don’t know
the storm I have asked
her to walk through – God
From the beginning of the ages, throughout history, times have been difficult. Through these hard times there have been women who have changed the course of history. Their circumstances, many times, have more questions than answers.
These were hopeful women. Some were wives and mothers. There were siblings. There was a daughter and a daughter-in-law. Some were single women. Some were respectable within their culture and circumstances. Some were complete outcasts in the communities and society at large.
These are the ordinary women who lived not so ordinary lives:
Hagar – teaches that life may appear difficult and unfair, but God understands the purpose.
Rebekah – teaches taking control of what God already has control of, most often, does not end well.
Rachel & Leah – teach wanting what someone else has, can lead to a life of misery.
Tamar – teaches God loves us even when those who are supposed to love and care for us don’t.
Asenath – teaches God has a plan for each of us whether we have knowledge or understanding of it.
Shiphrah & Puah – teach we are accountable only to God, not man.
Jochebed – teaches how God will change the world through one act of obedience.
Jael – teaches to never let our enemy, the devil, get his head in the door.
Jephthah’s daughter – teaches us to keep our spirits high even when circumstances change, through no fault of our own.
Pontius Pilate’s wife – teaches we are to step out and speak up, concerning Jesus, no matter the outcome.
The Crippled woman – teaches rejoicing does indeed “come in the morning.”
The Samaritan woman – teaches true love and acceptance comes only from Jesus Christ, Himself.
Tabitha (Dorcas) – teaches the end might just be the beginning of all new things.
Lydia – teaches what God will do with the hospitality of one lone woman.
These women and the life they were given is proof God is in complete control, with His power on unmistakable display. Nothing falls apart in God’s economy. All falls into place even if it is in a way we cannot explain or understand.
These ladies teach our lives can be changed just by the actions of others. But, God uses these changes in miraculous ways as to influence the lives of many.
One is a handmaiden
One is a mother of twins.
Two are siblings.
One is an abandoned daughter-in-law.
One is an Egyptian Princess.
Two are would be abortionists who just said “no”.
One puts her baby boy up for adoption.
One is a peacemaker.
One is her father’s daughter.
One is a dreamer.
One is crippled.
One is a Samaritan.
One is raised from the dead.
One is a business woman.
These women do indeed render up more questions than answers, but God in His infinite wisdom used each one in unexpected ways.
What a privilege women have been given in meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of others. Praying and fasting, plus following the Lord’s leading when called, is indeed a blessing of great magnitude.
It is now our turn to wait for our Lord as the day of His return draws near. The fact remains to be seen, but just possibly, we may be the generation He will use more mightily than any other.
BIBLICAL PEOPLE 