Biblical women have had a significant impact on the narrative found in the word of God. Though their stories took place within the backdrop of a patriarchal society they have left remarkable lessons for us to apply to our daily lives.
Today we will take a look at a number of different women from the word of God and use their stories of patience, wisdom, and strength to inspire our journey of faith.
Patient woman in the Bible
The fruit of the Spirit includes patience and this virtue was displayed by many females in the word of God. Let’s take a look at some life lessons we can learn from some amazing women of the Bible.
The story of the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34)
The lady with the issue of blood is an unnamed woman who suffered for twelve long years. She spent all that she had seeking help from healers and physicians but she did not get better. She did not give up hope that someone was able to cure her disease.
When she heard that Jesus was in a huge crowd, she considered that touching Jesus would cure her illness. She got close enough and touched his garment and immediately she was healed. Jesus felt the power left His body and asked who touched Him.
The woman with the issue of blood fell down before Jesus’ feet and told Him the truth. Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole.
Life application: As you go through your crucibles, try to be optimistic, depend on the Lord to strengthen you, and be patient as you endure in faith. The word of God says that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character produces hope.
Just be hopeful like the woman with the issue of blood and continue to reach out to the Lord.
The story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1)
Hannah was one of Elkanah’s two wives. Peninnah, her husband’s other wife, had children but Hannah didn’t. Each year Elkanah took both of his wives to sacrifice at Shiloh.
Even though Hannah didn’t have any children, Elkanah still loved her. He gave Hannah a double portion of meat while he only gave Peninnah and her children a single serving.
Year after year Peninnah provoked Hannah and teased her because she didn’t have any children. This made her very sad. One year in Shiloh, Hannah prayed silently to God and asked Him for a child.
She vowed that, if God allowed her to have a child, she would give the child to Him. The Lord heard her and she had a child. She named him Samuel and as she had vowed, she took him to Eli and gave him to the Lord.
Life application: Never underestimate the power of prayer. When it seems like God is taking a long time to respond to you, don’t give up. It took many years for Hannah to finally have a child and it may take a while for the Lord to answer you but this does not mean that He isn’t listening or that He doesn’t care.
The story of Rachel (Genesis 29:9-30:24)
The theme of patience and endurance is woven in Rachel’s life story. Her husband had to work fourteen years to be married to her. Even though she was the first woman Jacob fell in love with he was tricked into marrying her older sister Leah.
When they finally got married Rachel had difficulties having a child. Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah so the Lord allowed Leah to have many children.
Rachel had to endure being childless while Leah gave birth to six sons and one daughter. The Lord had compassion on her and afterwards she gave birth to Joseph her first child.
Life application: Sometimes the Lord will withhold or postpone blessings until He knows we are fully prepared to receive them. Joseph, the child that Rachel waited years to conceive was the one who saved his entire family from a famine.
This is a lesson to be patient and allow the Lord to manifest His blessings in your life.
The story of Delilah (Judges 16:4-21)
Though the role played by this female Bible character is usually frowned upon, her story teaches the lesson of persistence and patience. Samson fell in love with Delilah even though she was a Philistine. While they were dating, Delilah worked as a spy to find out the source of Samson’s strength.
She asked Samson what would make him weak, he told her something, she tried it, and it failed. She kept doing this over and over and over.
As time went by Samson became weary of her nagging and finally told her that he was a Nazarene from birth and that if his hair was to be cut, he would lose his strength. Delilah cut his hair while he was sleeping. When the Philistines came to capture him, he could not fight them because he had lost all his strength.
Life application: The story of Samson and Delilah in the book of Judges is not just about love and betrayal. It teaches that you should persistently pursue your goals. You may not get the result that you desire at first but if you keep trying, in the end things will work out in your favor.
Wise women in the Bible
There are many Old Testament stories about women who were wise. They came up with decisive plans, acted with faith, and depended on the Most High God. Below is a list of some female characters who you may use as role models.
The story of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:2-35)
Abigail was the wife of a wealthy man named Nabal who kept his sheep and goats at Carmel. David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep at Carmel and sent ten of his young men with a message to Nabal.
Even though David and his men treated Nabal’s servants well and protected his animals Nabal refused to share anything with David. The young men returned with the sad news to David and he decided to attack Nabal.
One of Nabal’s servants shared the news with Abigail and told her that Nabal and his entire household was in danger. Abigail quickly gathered provisions and met David before he was able to attack.
She asked for David’s forgiveness and gave him the provisions that she had. David thanked her for intervening and preventing a bloodshed. Through her wisdom and act of kindness Abigail prevented a crisis.
Life application: Fairness, humility, and tact are some of the qualities that Abigail displayed. This is a lesson for each follower of Christ. Instead of being arrogant and prideful use discretion and be understanding.
The story of Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24)
Joshua sent two spies to look at the promised land. When they got to Jericho they went to the house of Rahab. The king of Jericho was told that men were in the city and they were spies.
The king sent to Rehab for the men but when they got to her house, she hid the spies and told the king’s men that they left during the time the gates closed.
When the king’s men went searching for the Israelite spies Rahab went to the roof to help them escape. She told the spies that everyone in Jericho is afraid of the people of Israel and their God.
She knew that the Lord had given the land of Jericho to the Israelites and wanted the spies to favor her and her family when they came to claim the land. The spies agreed and afterwards Rahab helped them to escape the city by climbing down the wall with a rope.
Life application: Like Rahab you may be fearful of what the future holds. When Jericho was attacked Rahab and her family were spared because she trusted in God. The good news is, you may experience God’s saving grace in your own life if you put your trust in Him.
The story of Moses’ mother (Exodus 2:1-10)
A new king who did not know Joseph began to rule in Egypt. He feared the children of Israel and treated them unfairly.
Sometime after the new pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph started to rule in Egypt, he passed a law that all baby boys of the Hebrew women should be killed. It was during this time that a Levite man got his wife pregnant. The woman hid the child for three months.
She realized that it was getting more difficult to hide the child so instead of killing him she came up with a plan. She made a basket of papyrus and lined it with pitch. She placed the baby in the basket and set it to float in the Nile River while her daughter watched it.
A while after the basket was placed in the water, the pharaoh’s daughter came to the river and saw it floating. She sent her maid for it and they later realized that it was a Hebrew baby that was inside.
The baby’s sister told the pharaoh’s daughter that she could get a Hebrew woman to take care of the child.
In an amazing turn of events, the mother of the child was taking care of her own son without fear that the pharaoh or anyone else would punish her or kill the child. Later the child was named Moses by the pharaoh’s daughter.
Life application: It’s better to trust God than be fearful of human devices. The Hebrew midwives feared God and spared the boy babies and the Lord protected them. The mother of Moses trusted God and He spared the life of her child.
It was the same child who later led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Trust God and He will protect you in difficult times.
The story of Deborah and Jael (Judges 4:4-24)
Deborah the prophetess told Barak that he should gather an army because the Lord will deliver Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, into their hands. Barack asked Deborah to accompany him and they both went to gather the army to fight with Sisera.
During the battle, Sisera got off his chariot and ran while Barak pursued his army and killed all his soldiers. Sisera ran away to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber. Jabin the king of Hazor and the family of Heber had an alliance, so Sisera assumed he was safe.
Jael gave him a blanket and milk and made him comfortable in the tent. When he was in his deep sleep, she drove a tent peg into his temple. Later when Barack came looking for Sisera Jael told him he was in her tent dead.
Life application: Sometimes the work of the Lord requires wisdom, great faith, and bravery. With the help of God, the well experienced man of war and military leader was defeated by a female. There is no limit to what you can accomplish if you have faith in God.
The story of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:8-37)
One day while in Shunem Elisha met a wealthy woman who asked him to have a meal at her house. Whenever the prophet visited Shunem he would stop by her house to eat. The Shunammite woman urged her husband to build a room in their house for Elisha.
She also placed a bed, table, chair, and a lamp in it for the prophet. To repay her kindness the prophet told her she would have a child. In due time she had a child and he grew. One day he went to visit his father in the field and fell ill.
When he was taken home to his mother he died in her arms. She placed the boy in the prophet’s bed, shut the door, and went to call her husband. She asked him for a donkey and a servant and quickly prepared to visit Elisha at Mount Carmel.
When she went to Mount Carmel, she was greeted by Gehazi but she told him all is well. After learning about why the Shunammite woman visited, the prophet gave his servant Gehazi instructions on how to heal the boy but the woman insisted that Elisha returned home with her.
When Gehazi got to the house and did what was told nothing happened. It wasn’t until the prophet got there and prayed that the boy was restored to life.
Life application: The Shunammite woman was beyond wise in extending hospitality to the prophet. She also made a wise decision on insisting that the man of God returned with her. Men and women today may learn many lessons from this story.
It’s wise to show kindness to others because in entertaining strangers you may be unknowingly entertaining angels.
Strong women in the Bible
There are many great women of the Bible who displayed strength and resilience. Here are some inspirational stories from both the Old and New Testament.
The story of Queen Esther (Esther chapter 2-7)
Haman, an enemy of the Jews came up with a plan to destroy all the Jewish people in the province. He convinced king Xerxes that the Jewish people would cause trouble then passed a decree for their annihilation. When Mordecai found out about the decree he put on a sackcloth and wept.
Queen Esther heard that Mordecai was at the king’s gate in a sackcloth and sent to find out why. He explained, sent a copy of the edict to her, and told her to approach the king and beg for mercy.
Approaching the king without an invitation could lead to death if the king does not put out his gold scepter. Because of this, Esther told Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Susa and have a three day fast. She also fasted for three days with her attendants.
On the third day, Esther went to the king and he held up his scepter. She invited him and Haman to a banquet. At the banquet he asked her to name anything she wanted and she requested his presence at a second banquet with Haman.
At the second banquet she asked the king to spare her life and the life of her people. The king was enraged when he found out what Haman had done. He had Haman punished for his cruel act by having him impaled on a pole that was set up for Mordecai.
Life application: The book of Esther teaches that you should be strong and fearless in the face of adversity. It is also a reminder to never underestimate the power of prayer. God will empower and strengthen you.
Esther was taken to the palace with a group of young girls but later became queen. God can take you from where you are and bring you to a position of greatness if you allow Him to lead and direct you.
The story of Mary mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38)
During the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy Gabriel, an angel of the Lord visited Mary. She was greeted as highly favored by God and she started to consider what the greeting meant. The angel later told her that she should not be afraid because the Lord has found favor with her.
The angel told Mary that she would conceive and have a son. He also told her that her son would be called Jesus and will rule over the throne of David forever. Mary pointed out to the angel that she was a virgin.
Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit and the power of the Most High will overshadow her and she will become pregnant.
Gabriel also told her that her barren relative Elizabeth is six months pregnant. Mary accepted the news about having a baby and humbly submitted to the will of the Lord.
Life application: Sometimes accepting your circumstances with humility is a great way to display your strength. Humbling yourself before the Lord and accepting His plans for your life is not just about submission. It’s about accepting the power of the Most High and moving forward in His strength.
The story of the woman who anointed Jesus (Luke 7:36-50)
This story also highlights how followers of Jesus Christ may display strength by being humble. While Jesus was at the house of Simon the leper a woman came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.
She used her tears to wet Jesus’ feet and used her hair to wipe them. She also kissed His feet and rubbed the perfume on them.
She knew that she was a sinful woman and she used the gesture as an act of humility. Simon did not approve of her actions at first but after a quick story about two men whose debts were forgiven, he became more receptive of her.
Jesus told the woman who anointed his feet that her sins were forgiven and that she should go in peace.
Life application: Don’t be prideful or make excuses for the wrongs you have done. Accepting your faults, being humble, and seeking forgiveness is the right thing to do. It is in accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior that you will find strength in Him.
The story of Naomi and Ruth (Ruth chapter 1-4)
The inspirational story of these two women is found in the book of Ruth. Naomi was a strong woman who had great faith in God’s provision. After the death of her husband and two sons, Naomi decided that she would return home to Judah.
She urged Ruth and Orpah to return to their mother’s house. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law Naomi goodbye but Ruth was determined to follow her home.
Naomi and Ruth got to Judah during the time of the barley harvest. Though they had no husbands to take care of them they displayed fortitude and resilience. Ruth went to the field of Boaz and she worked hard all day.
With the counsel of her mother-in-law and the favor of Boaz she was able to glean and provide for both of them. Ruth later got married to Boaz and she gave birth to Obed, the grandfather of king David.
Life application: The story of Ruth and Naomi is a reminder to be patient as you trust God. He will give you the strength to endure even the most difficult times in your life. Who knew that a widow with no children could be the great-great-grandmother of king David?
God knows the blessings He has in store for your future so remain strong and be hopeful.
Final thought
Bible women were not just bystanders in the narrative of the many stories we read about in the Holy Scriptures. They played major roles as they displayed their faith in God. Their stories are filled with lessons of patience, wisdom, strength, and bravery.
From their experiences we find hope and inspiration as we learn to be virtuous and resilient on the Christian pathway.
