Wed, Apr 1, 2020
Mrs. Noah, an unnamed woman of the Bible who truly understood the concept of social distancing and living in isolation. Though we're never told her name, we can a lot from Noah's wife in Genesis chapters 6 through 8. Her story is especially relevant given today's period of social isolation.
Wed, Apr 1, 2020
Sarah was a woman who had a plan for all occasions. Unfortunately, sometimes her plans got ahead of God's plans. Most women in the Bible have a chapter or two at most dedicated to their story. Many women have merely a verse or two. Sarah's story, however, encompasses thirteen chapters in Genesis, plus mentions in Isaiah, Romans, Hebrews, and 1 Peter.
Wed, Apr 8, 2020
Hagar was a victim caught up in circumstances beyond her control, but hers is a story of hope, a reminder that whoever we are, wherever we are, we are never invisible to God. God saw her fearful exit and met Hagar in the desert. Even though she was an Egyptian slave, and not a child of God, God loved her and cared about her enough to personally reach out to her and encourage her with a word of prophecy.
Wed, Apr 15, 2020
Many consider the love story of Rebekah and Isaac to be one of the most beautiful in the Bible. It's a story full of faith and romance, but it's a story that ends in betrayal and disappointment. Something happened along the way in their lives where they lost sight of the love they once shared.
Wed, Apr 29, 2020
In today's episode of All God's Women we look at Shiphrah and Puah, two midwives placed in a terrible position by their boss, the pharaoh of Egypt. To disobey his command meant they could be killed. To obey, however, meant they themselves would have to kill. As women positioned in a life and death situation, they chose life, even if it resulted in their own death.
Wed, May 6, 2020
In a most unusual family situation, Moses' birth mom was paid by his adopted mom to nurse him and take care of him during the early years of his life. Then when the time came for him to be weaned, Jochebed took Moses to the palace where he was to remain for the rest of his growing up years and early adulthood.
Tue, May 12, 2020
Miriam was blessed to be a leader in a time when women had little or no authority. She was one of only 5 women in the Old Testament to be called a prophetess, and she was the first. It was an honor bestowed by God, but with that position came a greater level of accountability. Because the other women looked to Miriam for wisdom and guidance, it was especially important that she be an acceptable role model. When she got cocky, God had to put her in her place.
Tue, May 19, 2020
When you think of women's rights activists, who do you think of? Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Gloria Steinem? Do you picture women picketing, holding signs, staging protests? What about Bible women? Can you imagine women in biblical times taking a stand for women's rights? What about Old Testament women, early women, back in the days of Moses? Last week we looked at Moses's sister Miriam, a prophetess and a leader among the Hebrew women. This week we study the daughters of Zelophehed, five young women who took a stand and set a legal precedent for property rights for women.
Wed, May 27, 2020
Rahab's one of the bad girls of the Old Testament, a harlot, a prostitute in a pagan city. Many Christians find it disturbing that this woman of ill repute is included in Jesus' genealogy. They argue that surely she was merely an innkeeper. But that's not what the Bible tells us. The word used to describe her can only mean one thing, and it's not an innkeeper. So why her? Why did God not only use her to help save the Hebrews but then go on to include her in the lineage of His son?
Thu, Jun 4, 2020
We find Deborah's story in the book of Judges. If you're looking for an uplifting read, the book of Judges is probably not for you. It's a gory book filled with vile behaviors. It covers a time period much like modern days.Judges opens with the death of Joshua and explains how the Israelites failed to follow God's instructions to defeat the enemy nations but instead chose to intermingle, to intermarry, and to intertwine with the pagans. They lost sight of who they were, and God allowed them to become oppressed by their enemies. For over 200 years, the children of Israel followed a pattern. They did evil in the sight of the Lord. He gave them over to their enemies. They cried out to God for mercy. He raised up Judges to deliver them, and while they listened to the judges, they experienced times of peace. But once the judge died, they'd go back to their old ways, behaving even more corruptly than before. In the midst of the chaos and terror, lived a housewife named Deborah, an unassuming woman, married to an obscure man. But Deborah was a prophetess. God spoke to her and she listened. And she shared what He said to those around her.
Tue, Jun 16, 2020
The Angel of the Lord appeared to an unnamed woman, wife of Manoah, and told her she would conceive a son. This in itself was great news, as she'd previously been unable to conceive. But God didn't end there. He gave her specific instructions for what to do during her pregnancy. She was not to drink any alcoholic beverages or eat anything unclean. And when the child was born, she was not to ever cut his hair because he would be a Nazarite to God from birth. Oh, the pride she must have felt when she found out not only was she to have a child, but that he would be a lifetime Nazarite. What an honor to be bestowed on her, to be given the responsibility of raising a man of God. I imagine she likely had an image of what this son would be like, a meek and mild man, obedient and godly. But while Samson was indeed, a man of God, He was also an impulsive, strong willed young man with a violent temper and a weakness for the ladies.
Tue, Jun 23, 2020
We all know the story of Samson and Delilah. Interestingly, though, in studying her, I found Bible scholars have differing opinions of who she was. Some call her Samson's wife, but though he did marry a Philistine woman when he was young, the Bible makes no mention of Samson marrying again. Others call Delilah a harlot, but though he did sleep with a harlot, it was not Delilah. All the Bible tells us about Delilah is that Samson loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. We don't even know for certain that she was a Philistine, although we can assume that she was. Samson's women blur together because they all share common themes. Samson had a weakness for beautiful women. Despite his outstanding physical strength, he became putty in the hands of a woman. It didn't take long for his enemies to figure this out.
Tue, Jul 7, 2020
The story of Ruth is such a refreshing story of the Bible. In the midst of times of violence and corruption, we have this sweet love story about an unpretentious pagan woman who takes care of her mother-in-law and ends up in the lineage of Jesus. In today's times of confusion and chaos, it's easy to assume that God is looking for super heroes to perform magnificent tasks. But what if God just needs sincere women with servant hearts to take care of those around them?