4 Strong Women and Heroines From the Bible

The Bible is full of heroes and heroines.  Here are four strong women and heroines from the Bible.

Deborah the Judge

Deborah was one of Israel’s greatest judges.  Judges were considered rulers in Israel, just like Gideon, Samuel, and Samson. But Deborah urged Barak to attack the formidable army of the Canaanites (Judges 4).  When Barak was hesitant to go into battle, “Deborah went up with him” (Judges 4:10c). Then “Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?’ So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword” (Judges 4:14-15a).  If not for the courageous and faith-filled judge Deborah, Barak would not have had the courage to go into battle. Therefore, Deborah is considered one of the greatest heroines of the Bible. She was not only a godly judge and strong ruler but also apparently a warrior woman.

Rahab the Prostitute

What amazes me about Rahab was her faith.  Rahab allowed two Israelite spies to lodge in her home (Joshua 2:1) and, by doing so, risked her life.  She heard about the exploits of Israel and how God had done miracles for the nation (Joshua 2:9-11). She obviously put her trust in the God of Israel. This is why Rahab is listed in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5).  She was willing to put her life at risk by hiding the two spies of Israel (Joshua 2:4). She is a true heroine of the Bible.

Queen Esther

When Queen Ester was told about the plan to exterminate all the Jews in the land, she was at first reluctant to speak to the king about this because to go to the king unannounced could be swift and certain death; but she did it anyway.  She knew that “all the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter so that he may live” (Esther 4:11).  Her brave words still echo down the corridors of ancient history: “I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16c).  Her bravery ended up saving the Jews from being exterminated.

Mary, Mother of Jesus

You might think I’d be reluctant to place Mary as one of the stronger women in the Bible. But consider this:  She had to endure all the whisperings, all the scandalous talk, and all the gossip about her becoming pregnant with the Lord of Glory for many months since she was not married.  Can you imagine all the gossip that went around the towns when Mary conceived before she was officially married?  She was also to know much about how Jesus was going to suffer and die and that her heart was going to be shattered by the way that her son, Jesus, was going to be scourged, crucified, and murdered. Yet she said to the angel of the Lord, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).

Conclusion

Today there are still heroines of the faith.  They are mothers, wives, sisters, and any women who may be unnoticed by the world. But they are never unnoticed by God.  He sees many godly women who are faithfully raising their children, who may far exceed the rewards of many others in the church when they receive their rewards from Christ.  How many mothers have been responsible for raising godly children who would later impact the world for Christ?  I believe some of the strongest and greatest heroines of the faith are laboring in love for the Lord today, unseen by human eyes but not by Christ, Who will someday say to them, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

May God richly bless you,

Pastor Jack Wellman

 

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