Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Shulammite girl

Who was the Shulammite girl? She was a beautiful country girl and the principal character in the Bible book called the Song of Solomon. The Bible does not reveal her name.

What did she do? The Shulammite maiden remained loyal to the shepherd boy she loved. ( Song of Solomon 2:16) Her exceptional beauty, however, caught the attention of wealthy King Solomon, who tried to win her affections.  (Song of Solomon 7:6)  Although others urged her to choose Solomon, the Shulammite girl  refused. She loved only the shepherd boy  and was loyal to him. -SONG of SOLOMON 3:5; 7:10; 8:6.

What can we learn from the Shulammite girl? she maintained a modest view of herself despite her beauty and the attention she received. She did not allowher affections to be swayed by peer pressure or the promise of  material and prestige. She kept her emotions under control and remained morally chaste. 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - Wife of Lot

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Sarah

Who was Sarah?    She was Abraham's wife and the mother of Isaac.  

What did she do?  Sarah left with a comfortable life in the proserperous city of Ur because she had faith in God's promises to her husband, Abraham.  God told Abraham to leave Ur and go the land of Canaan.  God promised to bless him and make him into a nation.  (Genesis 12:1-5)  Sarah may have been in her 6o's at the time.  From then on, Sarah and her husband lived a nomadic life in tents.

Although nomadic life exposed Sarah to danger, she supported Abraham as he followed God's direction.  (Genesis 12:10, 15)  For many years, Sarah was childless, which grieved her considerably.  Yet, God had promised to bless Abraham's offspring.  (Genesis 12"&, 13, 15; 15:18;  16:1, , 15)  In time, God affirmed that Sarah wold abraham's child.  She did give birth when she was well past the age of childbearing.  She was 90 years old,  and her husband was 100 years old.  (Genesis 17:17; 21:2-5.)  They named the child Isaac. 

What can we learn from Sarah?  Sarah's example teaches us that we can always trust God  to fulfill his promises, even seemingly impossible ones!  (Hebrews 11:11)  And her example as a wife highlights the importance of respect in marriage. - 1 PETER 3:5, 6.

For a further discussion about Sarah, see the articles "What a Beautiful Woman You Are" and "God called her princess." 

Next time:  Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - Shulammite girl

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Women in the BIble-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Ruth

Who was Ruth?  She was a Moabitess who  left her gods and her homeland to become a worshipper of Jehovah in the land of Israel.

What did she do? Ruth showed extraordinary love to her mohter-in-law, Naomi. Naomi along with her husband and two sons, had to Moab to escape a famine in Israel.  The sons eventually married Moabite women-Ruth and Orpah.  In time, though, Naomi's husband and two sons died, leaving three widows. 

Naomi decided to return to Israel, where the drought was now over.  Ruth and Orpah chose to go with her. But Naomi asked them to return to their relatives. Orpah did so.  (Ruth 1:1-6, 15)  Ruth, however, loyally stuck with her mother-in-law. She loved Naomi and wanted to worship Naomi's God, Jehovah. - RUTH 1:16, 17; 2:11.

Ruth's  reputation as devoted augghter-in-law and a hard worker soon earned her a good name in Naomi's hometown, Bethlehem.  A wealthy landowner name Boaz was deeply impressed by Ruth and generoulsy provided food for her and Naomi.  (Ruth 2:5-7, 20) Ruth later married Boaz and became an ancestress of both King David and Jesus Christ. - MATTHEW 1:5, 6, 16.

What can we learn from Ruth?  Out of love for Naomi and Jehovah, Ruth willingly uprooted her life. She was hardworking, devoted, and loyal, even in the face of adversity.  

For a further discussion about Ruth, see the articles "Where You Go  I Shall Go" and "An Excellent Woman." 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? Sarah

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Rebekah

Who was Rebekah?  She was the wife of Isaac and the mother of their two sons, Jacob and Esau. 

What did she do?  Rebekah did God's will, even when doing so was difficult. While she was getting water from a well, a man asked her for a sip of water. Rebekah quickly gave him a drink  and offered to draw water for the man's camels.  (Genesis 24:15-20)  That man was Abraham's servant, and he had traveled a great distance to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son.  (Genesis 24:2-4) He also prayed for God's blessing.  When he saw Rebekah's idustriousness and  hospitality, he discerned that God had answered his prayer, indicating that she was His choice for Isaac.  -GENESIS 24:10-14,21, 27. 

When Rebekah learned of the servant's quest, she sgreed to return with him and become Isaac's wife.  (Genesis 24:57-59)  Rebekah eventually had twin boys. God had revealed to her that the older boy, Esau would serve the younger, Jacob.  (Genesis 25:23)  When Isaac arranged to arranged to give Esau the firstborn's blessing, Rebekah took steps to make certain that the one blessing came to Jacob, in harmony with what  she knew to be God's will. -  GENESIS 27:1-17.

What can we learn from Rebekah?   Rebekah was modest, industrious, and hospitable-qualities that led to her success as a wife, mother, and worshippe of the true God. 

For a further discussion about Rebekah, see the article "I Am Willing to Go." 

Next time:Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? -Ruth

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Women in the the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Rahab

Who was Rahab? She was a prostitute who lived in the Canaanite city of Jericho, and she became a worshipper of God.

What did she do?  Rahab hid two Israelits who were spying out the land. She did this because she had heard reports of how Israel's God,  Jehovah, delivered his people from Egypt and later from an attack by a tribe called the Amorites. 

Rahab helped the spies and pleaded with them to spare her and her family when the Israeltes came to destroy Jericho. They agreed, but on certain conditions: She would keep their mission secret, she and would family would remain inside her house when the  Israelits attacked. and she would hang a scarlet cord from her window to identify her home.  Rahab obeyed every  instruction. and she and her famil/y survived when the Israelites captured Jericho.

Rahab later married an Israelite and became an ancestress of both King David and Jesus Christ. -JOSHUA 2:1-24; 6:25; MATTHEW 1:5, 6, 16.

What can we learn from Rahab? The Bible refers to Rahab  as an outstanding example of faith. (Hebrews 11:30, 31; JAMES 2:25)  Her story ill'ustrates that God is both forgiving and impartial, blessing those who trust in him, regardless of their background.

For a further discussion about Rahab. see the article "She Was Declared Righteous by Works." 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? -Rebekah

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Rachel

Who was Rachel? She was the daugter of Laban and the favored wife of the patriarch Jacob.

What did she do?  Rachel married Jacob and bore him two sons, who came to be among the founding heads of the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. Rachel met her future husban while she was tending her father's sheep.  (Genesis 29:9, 10) She was "very attractve" compared to her older sister Leah. - GENESIS 29:17. 

Jabob fell in love with Rachel, and he agreed to work for seven years so that he could marry her.  (Genesis 29:18) However, Laban tricked Jabob into marrying Leah first, after which Labnan permitted Jacob to marry Rachel.  - GENESIS 29:25-27.

Jacob  loved Rachel and her two sons more than he loved Leah and his children by her. (Genesis 37:3; 44:20,27-29) As a result, here was rivalry between the two woman. - GENESIS 29:30; 30:1, 15. 

What can we learn from Rachel? Rachel endured a difficult family situation without losing hope that God would hear her prayers.  (Genesis 30:22-24)   Her story reveals the strain that polygamy puts on families. Rachel's expeience demonstrates the wisdom of God's original standard for marriage-that a man have only one wife. - MATTHEW 19:4-6.

For a further discussion about Rachel, see the article "Distressed Sisters Who Built the House of Israel." 

For a discussion of why God tolerated polygamy among his people for a time, see the article "Does God Approve of Polygamy?" 

Next time: Women In the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? Rahab

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Miriam

Who was Miriam? She was the sister of Moses and Aaron. She is the first woman in the Bible called a prophetess.

What did she do? As a prophetess, she had a role in relating  God's messages. She enjoyed a prominent position in Israel and shared with the men in victory son after God destroyed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. - EXODUS 15:11, 10, 21. 

Sometime later, Miram and Aaron spoke critically of Moses. They were evidently motivated by pride and jealousy.  God was "listening," and he strongly counseled Miram and Aaron.  (Numbers 12:1-9) God then struck Miriam with leprosy. apparently because she had instigated the critical talk    When Moses pleaded  with God on her behalf, God healed her.  After a seven-day quarantine, she was allowed to rejoin the camp of Israel. - NUMBERS 12:10-15.

The Bible indicates that Miriam accepted the correction.  Centuries later, God referred to her a unique  privilege when he reminded the Israelites: "I sent you Moses, Aaron and Miraim." - MICAH 6:4.

What can we learn from Miriam? Miriam's story reveals that God pays attention to what his worshippers say to or about one another.  We also learn that to please God, we must avoid undue pride and jealousy-traits that may caiuse us to smear the good reputation of others. 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - Rachel

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Women in tthe Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Mary Magdalene

Who was Mary  Magdalene?  She was a loyal disciple of Jesus.

What did she do? Mary Magdalene was one of several women who traveled with Jesus and his disciples.  She generously used her own funds to help care for their needs. (Luke 8:1-3)  She followed Jesus until the end of his ministry, and seh remained close by when he was executed.  She had the privilege of bing among the first to see Jesus after he was resurrected. - JOHN 20:11-18.

What can we learn from Mary?  Mary Magdalene generouly supported Jesus' ministry and remained a devoted disciple. 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - Miriam

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Mary (sister of Martha and Lazarus

Who was Mary?  Along with her brother Lazarus, and her sister, Martha, she ejoyed a close friendshp with Jesus.

What did she do?  Mary repeatedly showed keen appreciation for Jesus as the Son of God.  She expressed faith that Jesus could have prented the death of her brother, Lazarus, and she was present whwn Jesus resurrected him. Her sister Martha, critcized Mary when Mary chose to listen to Jesus rather than help with household duties. But Jesus commended Mary for having spiritual priorities. - LUKE 10:38-42. 

On another occasion, Mary extended hopsitality to Jesus by putting "costly perfumed oil on Jesus' head and feet. ( Matthew  26:6, 7)  Others present accused Mary of being wasteful.  But Jesus defended her saying: "Wherever this good news [of God's Kingdom] is preached in all the world, what this woman did will also be told in memory of her." - MATTHEW 24:14; 26:8-13.

What can we learn from Mary?  Mary cultivated deep faith. She put the worship of God ahead of mundane matters.  And she humbly honored Jesus, even at considerable financial cost. 

Next time: Woman in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - Mary Magdalene

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Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them?

 Mary (mother of Jesus) 

Who was Mary?   She was a  young Jewess woman, and she was a virgin at the time she gave birth  to Jesus, having conceeived God's son miraculously.

What did she do?  Mary did humbly God's will. She was engaged to Joseph when an angel appeared to her and announced that she would become pregnant and give birth to the long-awaited Messiah.  (Luke 1:26-33)   She willingly accepted her role. After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph had four sons together and two daughters.  So Mary  did not remain a virgin.  (Matthew 13:55, 56)  Although she enjoyed a unique privilege, she never sought or received adulation, either during Jesus'ministry or as a member of the early Christian congregation. 

What can we learn from Mary?   Mary was a faithful woman who willing accepted a serious responsibility. She had an excellant knowledge of the Scriptures.  By one estimate, she made some 20 references to the Scriptures whwn she uttered the words recorded at LUKE 1:45-55. 

For a further discussion about Mary, see the article "What Mary's Example Can Teach Us." 

Next time: Women in the Bible-What Can We Learn From Them? - (Mary sister of Martha and Lazarus) 

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