Women of the Bible E-Book

Peter DeHaan

• Herausgeber: Rock Rooster Books
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: Bible Character Sketches Series
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 183

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

What does the Bible say about women?

Plenty.

The truth is, the Bible has story after story about fascinating women. They’re more nuanced than men, have profound insights people often overlook, and can teach wisdom that everyone needs to hear.

Explore the narrative of 135 biblical women to discover fresh insights about life, faith, and hope. This easy-to-read book is an excellent Bible study resource that takes a thorough look at what these women do and what we can learn from them.

In Women of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, a lifetime student of the Bible and founder of the 1,000-page ABibleADay website, digs deep into these Bible stories to uncover how these amazing women rise above their circumstances in a society that pushes them down.

You’ll discover how to
• celebrate your victories,
• embrace your virtue,
• have more compassion for the world’s victims,
• avoid the errors of the vicious, and
• be inspired to pursue a more meaningful life.

Ideal for personal reflection or group Bible study, Women of the Bible is an excellent read with stimulating stories that are interesting, informative, and entertaining. As a bonus, each woman’s story ends with thought-provoking questions for personal introspection or group discussion. Then dig deeper by examining related Bible passages to expand your understanding.

It’s time for a change. It’s time for a fresh perspective. It’s time for every woman—and man—to discover powerful, life-changing truths from the Women of the Bible.

Read Women of the Bible today to spark a personal transformation.

Leseprobe

WOMEN OF THE BIBLE

THE VICTORIOUS, THE VICTIMS, THE VIRTUOUS, AND THE VICIOUS

BIBLE CHARACTER SKETCHES SERIES

BOOK 1

PETER DEHAAN

Women of the Bible: TheVictorious, the Victims, the Virtuous, and the Vicious

Copyright © 2018, 2020, 2024 by PeterDeHaan.

BibleCharacterSketchesSeries, book 1

All rights reserved: No part of this book may be reproduced, disseminated, or transmitted in any form, by any means, or for any purpose without the express written consent of the author or his legal representatives. The only exception is short excerpts and the cover image for reviews or academic research. For permissions: PeterDeHaan.com/contact.

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures taken from the HolyBible, NewInternationalVersion®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “NewInternationalVersion” are trademarks registered in the UnitedStatesPatent and TrademarkOffice by Biblica, Inc.™

Library of CongressControlNumber: 2022907326

Published by RockRoosterBooks, GrandRapids, Michigan

ISBN:

978-1-948082-05-1 (ebook)978-1-948082-04-4 (paperback)978-1-948082-17-4(hard cover)978-1-948082-51-8 (audiobook)979-8-88809-085-5 (large print)

Credits:

Developmental editor: MargotStarbuckCopy editor: RobynMulderCover design: CassidyWierksAuthor photo: ChelsieJensenPhotographyAudiobook narrator: JamesL. Rubart

To the women in my life:

BonnieDeHaan, CandyDeHaan, LauraAlexander, KelliDeHaan, AbigailAlexander, and KolbyDeHaan.

SERIES BY PETER DEHAAN

DearTheophilusBibleStudySeriesof devotional Bible studies takes a fresh and practical look into Scripture.

BibleCharacterSketchesSeriescelebrates people in Scripture, from the well-known to the obscure.

HolidayCelebrationBibleStudySeriesrejoices in the holidays with Jesus.

VisitingChurchesSeries takes an in-person look at church practices and traditions to inform and inspire today’s followers of Jesus.

Be the first to hear about Peter’s new books and receive updates at PeterDeHaan.com/updates.

CONTENTS

Biblical Women

Let’s Get Started

WOMEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. Eve

2. Adah (1) and Zillah

3. The Wife of Noah

4. The Daughters-In-Law of Noah

5. The Wife of Job

6. The Daughters of Job

7. The Wife of Lot

8. The Daughters of Lot

9. Sarah (1)

10. Hagar

11. Rebekah

12. Deborah (1)

13. Rachel

14. Leah

15. Zilpah and Bilhah

16. Dinah

17. Tamar (1)

18. The Wife of Potiphar

19. Asenath

20. Shiphrah and Puah

21. Jochebed

22. The Daughter of Pharaoh (1)

23. Zipporah

24. Miriam

25. Kozbi

26. The Daughters of Zelophehad

27. Rahab

28. Aksah

29. Deborah (2)

30. Jael

31. The Mother of Jephthah

32. The Daughter of Jephthah

33. The Mother of Samson

34. Delilah

35. Naomi

36. Ruth

37. Orpah

38. The Mother of Jabez

39. Hannah

40. Peninnah

41. Merab

42. Michal

43. Abigail (2)

44. The Medium of Endor

45. Tamar (2)

46. Bathsheba

47. The Wise Woman from Tekoa

48. Tamar (3)

49. Abishag

50. Two Prostitutes

51. The Queen of Sheba

52. The Shulammite Woman

53. The Woman of Proverbs 31

54. The Wives of Solomon

55. Jezebel (1)

56. The Widow of Zarephath

57. The Widow and Her Oil

58. The Shunammite Woman

59. The Servant of Naaman

60. Two Starving Women

61. Athaliah

62. Jehosheba

63. Gomer

64. Lo-Ruhamah

65. Noadiah

66. Queen Vashti

67. Queen Esther

68. Zeresh

69. Foreign Women

70. Susanna (1)

71. Deborah (3)

72. Sarah (2)

73. Judith (2)

74. The Maid of Judith

WOMEN IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

75. Elizabeth

76. Mary (1)

77. Anna (2)

78. Herodias

79. The Daughter of Herodias

80. The Mother-In-Law of Peter

81. The Widow from Nain

82. The Daughter of Jairus

83. The Hemorrhaging Woman

84. The Queen of the South

85. A Woman in the Crowd

86. The Crippled Woman

87. The Woman Who Lost Her Coin

88. The Persistent Widow

89. The Poor Widow and Her Offering

90. The Canaanite Woman / The Syrophoenician Woman

91. The Adulterous Woman

92. Mary (2) Magdalene

93. Martha

94. Mary (3), Martha and Lazarus’s Sister

95. The Samaritan Woman at the Well

96. The Wife of Pilate

97. Salome

98. Mary (4) the Mother of James and Joseph

99. The Mother of James and John

100. The Women Who Anoint Jesus

101. Joanna

102. Susanna (2)

103. Mary (5) the Wife of Clopas

104. Aunt of Jesus

105. The Other Mary (6)

106. Sapphira

107. Queen Candace

108. Tabitha (Dorcas)

109. Mary (7) the Mother of John Mark

110. Rhoda

111. Lydia

112. The Fortune Teller

113. Artemis

114. Eunice

115. Damaris

116. The Sister of Paul

117. Drusilla

118. Bernice

119. Lois

120. Priscilla

121. The Daughters of Philip

122. Phoebe

123. Mary (8)

124. Junia

125. Tryphena and Tryphosa

126. Persis

127. The Mother of Rufus

128. Julia and the Sister of Nereus

129. The Wife of Cephas (Peter)

130. Nympha

131. Chloe

132. Claudia

133. Euodia and Syntyche

134. The Chosen Lady

135. Jezebel (2)

Everyone Has a Mom

Bible Character Sketches Series

For Small Groups, Sunday School, and Classes

For Those New to the Bible

The Full Picture

For Further Study

About Peter DeHaan

Peter DeHaan’s Books

BIBLICAL WOMEN

Working on Women of the Bible has been a rewarding experience, far more than I could have imagined. Their lives are rich with beauty in both subtle and significant ways. I can’t help but be affected. They move me profoundly. They touch me spiritually. Because of them I am in greater awe of God as I see the pious faith of most and the tragic failings of a few. My prayer is that, because of their example, both women and men will be encouraged and inspired.

My goal with Women of the Bible is to explore the lives of these remarkable biblical women. Through their stories we can better understand God and faith. While each entry focuses on one of them, some of their storylines overlap so we see them pop up again in other accounts, just like a good friend returning for a visit.

Here’s some background information about Women of the Bible:

Even though these ladies lived long ago, I write about each in the present tense. This helps their stories come alive for us and reminds us that Scripture, though an ancient document, is relevant for us today.

I wish each woman had a different name, but not all do. For example, there are two Jezebels, two Sarahs, and two Susannas. There are three Deborahs and three Tamars. There are at least six Marys, possibly eight. Several less common names also repeat. In each case I added a number after their name to distinguish them (just like on IMDB for actors with the same name).

The ladies make their appearance in approximate chronological order, starting with Eve in Genesis and ending with Jezebel (2) in Revelation.

I used the Bible for my research. I didn’t consult other historical documents or modern works, to avoid confusing the biblical story with other sources.

I tried to note each time I made reasonable assumptions about these women and their situations.

At the end of each section, I list related Bible passages. If you’re not used to reading the Bible, see “ForThoseNew to the Bible” in the back of this book for a quick overview.

Various translations of the Bible spell some names differently. Women of the Bible follows the spelling found in the NewInternationalVersion (NIV). When needed, I consulted the NewJerusalemBible. (See “TheFullPicture” in the back to learn more.)

Some women shared their names with men. Noah is one example. Yes, there is a woman named Noah in the Bible. She is one of Zelophehad’s five daughters. In other instances, some women’s names are also the names of cities, such as Maakah. In addition to there being six women named Maakah, there are two or three cities bearing that name, in addition to a couple of guys.

The section, “ForFurtherStudy” lists even more biblical women not detailed in this book.

This book was a joy to research and write. I learned so much. Part of me is sad it’s over. Another part of me is excited to finally share these words with you. I pray these women’s lives will touch you as much as they touched me.

LET’S GET STARTED

Some people—mostly those who know little about the Bible or have never actually read it—criticize its portrayal of women. They wrongly conclude that God dislikes females. This makes no sense because women are part of his amazing creation, made in his image. When he completes his work, he looks it over and is pleased with the results—all of it, including the woman he made.

WhileScripture points us to God, the narrative takes place during a time when women are largely demeaned by the men who control society. This isn’t God’s plan. This is man’s perversion of it—along with the help of contemptible Satan.

When we read the Bible with the understanding of the culture in which it takes place, we repeatedly see God’s efforts to elevate women above the role mankind’s sin forces them into. From the beginning of creation God intended men and women to complement each other and function as equals. A careful reading of Eve’s story confirms this, a march through the OldTestament supports this, and the NewTestament advances this.

We see this best by what happens after Jesus dies. His body goes missing. Angels task some women, specifically MaryMagdalene, to go tell the disciples Jesus is alive. This is significant, as a woman’s testimony isn’t legally accepted in that time and place. God has a different perspective. As if to underscore his affirmation of women, he has them deliver the breaking news of the most significant event in human history. This makes women the first apostles after Jesus’s death—and the first missionaries.

As today’s followers of God, we will do well to embrace what he desires: for women and men to complement each other and interact as equals. In considering these women in the Bible, we—both women and men—can learn much from them.

Through their example, we can:

Celebrate the Victorious:Some women in the Bible accomplish remarkable things and enjoy mighty victories. ConsiderJudgeDeborah. She steps up to lead an army when a man refuses to. We commend her, and others like her, for her bravery and her faith. May we celebrate what these amazing women accomplished and be bold like them.

Affirm the Virtuous:Many of the women in the Bible are noteworthy for their goodness. I suspect there are more virtuous women in Scripture than virtuous men. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is an example of their righteousness. With a shortage of integrity in today’s world, we can affirm the remarkable women in the Bible and strive to follow their virtuous examples. May we be more like them.

Mourn with the Victims:Sadly, some women in the Bible are victims. They suffer because of what others (usually men) do to them. Think about Jephthah’s daughter, whose future is tragically altered after her dad makes a foolish vow to God. While many of the victims in the Bible maintain their virtue amid their circumstances and may even have a silent victory of sorts, we mostly mourn what happened to them. Their stories encourage us to fight injustice and restore the marginalized to their rightful place in society.

Avoid the Errors of the Vicious:Depraved behavior is not the sole domain of men. A few women in the Bible are likewise wicked. A notable example is QueenJezebel, who personifies evil in all she does. Lacking any redeeming characteristics, Jezebel and other vicious women like her exemplify sin unchecked, providing examples of what we should avoid. We must do what we can to oppose such people and promote honest, honorable actions.

Some women transcend these four tidy categories, being virtuous while a victim or enjoying victory because of virtue. Other women don’t quite fit in any of these four areas. Eve, the first woman, is one such example, and we’ll start our exploration of biblical women with her.

WOMEN IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1

EVE

Eve is a well-known biblical figure. Surprisingly, she’s only mentioned by name four times in the Bible, twice in Genesis and twice in the NewTestament. Sometimes called the mother of humanity, she is best known for picking the fruit God specifically prohibited—and giving some to her husband.

Eve often receives the heaviest criticism for disobeying God. Adam, however, is likewise culpable. He could have—and should have—put a stop to eating the forbidden fruit. More contemptible is the serpent, who lies to seduce Eve into disobeying God. Because of their actions, all three—Adam, Eve, and the serpent—suffer consequences, which they pass on to future generations, including ours.

Looking specifically at Eve, she receives three punishments for her disobedience: pain in childbirth, a desire to control her husband, and him ruling over her. So before Adam and Eve messed up, we can assume things must have been the opposite for women: childbirth would have been easy, women did not seek to control their husbands, and men did not rule over their wives.

The judgment Eve receives transfers forward to future generations, with women trying to control men and men wanting to rule women. However, in the beginning there is neither controlling nor ruling. There is equality, with God intending men and women to live as equals.

Do we try to control those around us? Do we let others rule over us? How might God want us to change?

[Discover more about Eve in Genesis 2–4, 2 Corinthians 11:3, and 1 Timothy 2:13.]

2

ADAH (1) AND ZILLAH

Lemech is the first polygamist in the Bible. His two wives are Adah and Zillah. Adah has two sons: Jabal and Jubal. Zillah also has a son, Tubal-Cain, as well as a daughter, Naamah (1).

ThoughAdah and Zillah must share their husband’s affections, there’s no mention of strife between them. This is not the case for most of the other polygamist marriages that follow it in Scripture. Having multiple wives is certainly different than God’s idea of two people joining to become one.

From what we know, however, Adah and Zillah get along. This is a tribute to them and their character. They must make an intentional effort to live together in harmony. For them, having the same husband is the highest level of sharing.

It’s not fair that they need to divvy up the attention of one man, and doing so is not God’s intent. However, they do what they need to do to make their situation work and avoid contention.

When we find ourselves in an unfair circumstance outside of our control, do we work to make the best of it or show our displeasure by causing problems for everyone around us?

[Discover more about Adah and Zillah in Genesis 4:19–23, along with Genesis 2:24.]

3

THE WIFE OF NOAH

What would you do if your best friend or your spouse came to you and said, “God spoke to me. He told me to do something that doesn’t make sense and will take a long time”? Would you stand by that person? Would you support him or her?

This is the position Noah’s wife finds herself in. God tells Noah to build a huge boat, big enough for animals to live on, along with enough food to sustain them. He says there will be a flood, and everyone and everything not on the boat will die.

However, there’s no water nearby. Everyone laughs. They mock Noah for being foolish. Surely, he’s crazy. From everyone’s perspective, she’s married to a madman, one who claims to hear from God and persists in doing something audacious.

This goes on for years, one hundred years. Surely friends and neighbors ostracize them. Not only must they work hard to build their boat, but I’m sure they do so in isolation.

TheBible doesn’t tell us if Noah’s wife supports him or not, but since she’s allowed to go on the boat and be saved from drowning, it’s likely she stood by her man despite what others thought, said, or did. That’s loyalty. That’s commitment.

She’s an example for us all to follow.

How loyal are we to our spouse, family, and friends? Do we need to make any changes?

[Discover more about Noah’s wife in Genesis 5–9, specifically Genesis 5:32, Genesis 6:10, 18, Genesis 7:7, 13, and Genesis 8:16.]

4

THE DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW OF NOAH

LikeNoah’s wife, we know little of Noah’s three daughters-in-law and can only speculate from their story in the Bible. Like their mother-in-law, we can reasonably assume they each stand by their men, supporting them in their questionable ark-constructing business and helping them to build the gigantic boat. They, too, endure hardship, ridicule, and isolation as the people around mock and shun them.

When the flood comes, they get on the boat and live. Everyone else dies. All that’s left in the world are eight people, only four couples. Just like Eve and her husband, God tells these three women and their husbands to be fruitful and multiply. It’s a do-over for humanity, Creation 2.0.

From these three women come all future generations. The human race is saved. Nations form.

Though nameless, these three women give birth to the future of civilization. We are here today because of them.

Even if we remain nameless, what are we giving birth to? What are we making today for the generations of tomorrow?

[Discover more about Noah’s three daughters-in-law in Genesis 5–9, specifically Genesis 9:1, 7, 19, along with Genesis 1:22, 28.]

5

THE WIFE OF JOB

Through no fault of Job, Satan attacks him, wiping away his wealth and killing all his children. Next, Satan afflicts Job’s health, leaving him in agony. The suffering man wishes he were dead, that he’d never been born. AllJob has left is his life, four unsupportive friends, and a wife who harasses him. Job may have been better off without her.

AsJob struggles to maintain his faith in God and hold on to his righteousness, Job’s wife could choose to support him. She should be encouraging. Instead she turns on him. She ridicules his integrity and suggests he just curse God so he can die.

Job does not waver. He calls her foolish and does not sin. God spares Job and restores what Satan took from him.

Do we encourage those closest to us when they go through tough times, or do we make things even harder for them?

[Discover more about Job’s wife in Job 1–2 and Job 42, especially Job 2:9–10.]

6

THE DAUGHTERS OF JOB

AfterSatan’s tormenting of the innocent Job, God restores what Satan took away, which includes all his possessions and his first set of seven sons and three daughters. In fact, God doubles Job’s wealth and gives him ten more kids: seven more sons and three more daughters. Though the sons’ names aren’t recorded in Scripture, the daughter’s names are: Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-Happuch. The girls are heralded as the most beautiful in the land.

In mentioning them by name, the Bible honors Job’s girls, even at the risk of elevating them over their unnamed brothers. Even more so, Job goes against the conventional practice of the day, giving his daughters an inheritance along with their brothers.

In doing so, Job reveals his heart and God’s perspective. This is even more remarkable, given that Job lives in a male-dominated society.

May we see things as God sees them. What might we do to further God’s perspective, even if it means challenging the status quo?

[Discover more about Job’s three daughters in Job 42:13–15.]

7

THE WIFE OF LOT

AfterLot and Abraham go their separate ways, Lot eventually moves to the city of Sodom. God is displeased with the great sin of the people who live there, and he plans to destroy the city and its inhabitants. However, two angels go there first to rescue Lot and his family.

The next day, at dawn, the angels drag Lot, his wife, and his two daughters out of the city. As soon as they get out, the angels tell them to run for their lives, to not stop, and to not look back.

As they flee, Lot’s wife can’t help herself. She looks back at what they are leaving behind. When she does, she dies, turning into a pillar of salt.

Jesus mentions Lot’s wife when he talks about the coming kingdom of God. He effectively says, look forward to what will be. Don’t look back at what you’re leaving behind.

Don’t be like Lot’s wife.

When we follow Jesus, do we look ahead to what he offers or long for the old life we left behind?

[Discover more about Lot’s wife in Genesis 19:15–16, 26 and Luke 17:30–32.]

8

THE DAUGHTERS OF LOT

Lot has a creepy relationship with his daughters. He isn’t a good dad. I feel sorry for his girls.

First