Benjamin Galan - Women of the Bible: Old Testament

The printed version of this eBook is the Women of the Bible: Old Testament pamphlet, ISBN-13: 9781596361713

Author: Benjamin Galan, MTS, ThM, Adjunct Professor of OT Hebrew and Literature

Cover photograph of young woman by Adrienne Renee Hill

It is illegal to photocopy, transmit electronically, post on the internet, or reproduce this pamphlet in whole or in part in any form.

Last Updated: August 2019

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• Gives the historical, biblical and modern-day relevance of 11 women from the Old Testament including Sarah, Miriam, Rahab, Deborah, Bathsheba, Naomi and Ruth!
• Provides a simple overview of each womans story with key Bible references, dates, location of the story and explanations.
• Shares a life-application section, giving practical insights on the modern-day relevance of each story. See how the life of Sarah reminds us not to doubt Gods promises and be encouraged as you see how God can use anyone!

Esther

Persia, around 480 BC

Esther is a Persian name, probably meaning star. Hadassah, her Hebrew name, means myrtle.

• Jewish young woman living in Persia
• Chosen to become King Xerxes wife
• Made Queen of Persia
• Interceded for the Jews when Haman plotted to destroy them
• God used her to save his people
• Established the beginning of the Feast of Purim

Through Esthers action, God saved the Jews from destruction and brought them peace and security.

Esthers story is one of survival, faith, audacity, and Gods protecting hand. It is a dramatic story of a beautiful orphaned girl who found herself thrown into the world of royal life, court intrigue, murderous plots, pride and hatred. Unlike modern-day fairy tales of a prince and a happily ever after, Esthers life became a nightmare. She had to worry not only about her own survival but also that of her people. The survival of a people was on the shoulders of a beautiful, terrified, young girl.

Esthers life was not in her hands. She depended on her uncle Mordecai, on the eunuch in charge of the kings harem, and, mostly, on the whims and tantrums of an unpredictable ruler, Ahasuerusalso known as Xerxes. God did not seem to pay any attention! How was she to make a difference? It was not with strength, influence, wealth, or even wisdom; rather, it was by using characteristics common to many biblical heroines: shrewdness, courage and trust that God was acting behind the scenes.

Upon discovering a plot to destroy all the Jews in the Persian Empire, Mordecai persuaded Esther that only she was in a position to help, And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? Esther planned to use her position, and whatever power that may imply, to defend and save her people. Being a queen did not immunize her from danger, for the king was truly unpredictableshe would be risking her life to go to him uninvited. With great courage and faith, she accepted this danger, saying, If I die, I die (Esther 4:16).

Esther invited the king and Haman, his trusted advisor, who happened to be the person plotting the killing of all the Jews, to two banquets. During the second banquet, Esther revealed her Jewish identity and the plot to destroy her and her people. The enraged king sent Haman to the very gallows he built for the Jews. Through Esthers courageous action, God saved the Jews from destruction and brought them peace and security.

LIFE APPLICATION

• God can use any person to carry on his will.
• God protects his people from danger.
• Even when God appears to be absent, he is present and active in our lives.

I will extol the L ORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the L ORD ;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the L ORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

Psalm 34:1-3

THE BIBLE is full of women who became unexpected heroines and surprising instruments in Gods story. Women played many crucial roles in Scripture, though it is easy to miss their significance. Following are brief, illustrated word portraits of eleven women from the Old Testament. Each sketch includes hidden meanings such as names, ironies in the stories, and the culture of the times. What the Bible does not say about someone or something is often as important as what the Bible actually says.

When reading such ancient texts, it is easy to forget how different things were in Old Testament times. In some ways, the role of a woman depended on her social status: Married women with children were more highly regarded than single or childless ones. In some ways, women were treated as property, to be used as necessary according to the situation. In other ways, they had a powerful influence on those around them. Notable women in the Old Testament navigated life using faith, discernment, and good judgment as their main tools. They were, like we all are, a mixture of strength and weakness, of sin and goodness. Their circumstances, struggles, hopes, and dreams have much to teach about living a life of faith with God.

Genesis 12, 16, 17, 18, 21, 23

Canaan, around 2100 BC

Both forms of the name mean princess

• Barren wife of Abraham
• Abraham passed her off as his sister in exchange for safetytwice
• Offered her slave, Hagar, to Abraham as concubine
• Laughed at Gods promise of a son
• Bore a son named Isaac (meaning laughter) at age 90

Sarahs life showed that God is faithful to his promises. Although her life was in danger and her barrenness made it look impossible for God to fulfill his word, Isaac, the son of the promise, was born.

Genesis 16 and 21

Canaan, around 2100 BC

Hagar probably means stranger