The Incredible Worth of Women

As we look to honor our wives and mothers this Mother’s Day this week, I invite each of us to pause and think about the amazing strength and godliness of women that are displayed in Scriptures and in Immanuel Bible Church.  Yes indeed, “a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  (Prov 31:30)   I would like to share just five very brief bios of various women in the Bible that have always captured my heart.  Their courage, strength and faith are models we can all look up to.  I believe because God Himself gives special attention to many women in Scripture, that we too are invited to give attention to them. 

The first woman of the Bible that comes to my mind is Sarah, who displayed incredible patience and endurance with her husband Abraham.  Sarah waited on God’s promise for 25 years for the promised son that would be the beginning of the nation of Israel.  During her time of waiting, her husband Abraham was willing to be taken marriage by a king of Egypt (Gen 12:11-16) and a king of Gerar (Gen 20:1-2), but God intervened each time.   Sarah goes down in Bible history as a woman of faith who trusted God despite her husband’s shenanigans.  And it would be through Sarah’s son Isaac and grandson Jacob that the national of Israel was born and would bring to us Jesus the Savior of the world. 

Another woman who deserves our attention in the Bible was Zipporah, Moses Midianite wife.  When God was about to “kill” Moses because of his disobedience in failing to circumcise his sons, Zipporah stepped in and did it for Moses, and so “God let him alone.” (Ex 4:24-26)   I believe this showed a tremendous amount of faith and foresight, which also allowed Moses to proceed back to Egypt and deliver God’s people. 

Another account of a woman in Scripture that showed both courage and faith was Deborah in Judges.  God used her to prophesy and encourage Israel's army to deliver Israel from the terror of Jabin, king of Canaan.  When the king’s commander Sisera came out against God’s people it was Deborah encouraged Barak the day of the battle, “does not the Lord go out before you.” (Judges 4:3-24)   What is also interesting in that passage is how God raised up another courageous woman, Jael, who assasinated Sisera by luring him to her tent and driving a stake through his temple.  

Abigail is another woman in the Bible that showed incredible wisdom and faith.  When King David protected her husband’s estate and servants during his time on the run from Saul, Abigail’s husband Nabal showed unbelievable foolishness by denying David and his troop’s food and supplies.  Before David in an act of anger was about to destroy Nabal and his household, it was Nabal’s wife Abigail who went before David and pleaded for mercy and also provided food for he and his troops.  No wonder after Abigail’s husband Nabal died of a heart attack, David would marry Abigail.  David left this testimony about Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel who sent you this day to me!  Blessed be your discretion…”  (I Sam 25:32-33)

The final woman of the Bible I want to honor this Mother’s Day week is Mary Magdalene, who probably was a repentant prostitute, who turned from her profession to follow Jesus.  Scripture testifies that she was delivered from seven demons (Luke 8:2-3), was at the foot of the cross while Jesus suffered, and was the first one to see the empty tomb and Jesus resurrected.   I love how God chose Mary Magdalene to be the first to see Jesus in His glory.  I think this not only displays to us God’s impartiality, but also God’s desire to honor woman. 

As we honor our wives and mothers during this week, may we realize the incredible worth of the godly woman of the Bible and Immanuel Bible Church.  Let us thank God for the incredible role woman play in the Bible’s salvation history and let us thank the woman of Immanuel who make our church unique and special.   Thank you ladies for making our church what it is today and thank you for all the kindnesses that you bring.  And men please learn to “live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor…  since they are heirs with you of the grace of life.”  (I Peter 3:7)