WOMEN OF GOD

Sandra D. Wilson

(Proverbs 31)

She’s a mystery to most. She’s mind-boggling to many. She’s the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31:10-31. The word translated “virtuous” is the same Hebrew word translated “able” in Exodus 18:21. This word describes someone who is capable, strong, and valiant. The end of the Proverbs passage contains the secret to this remarkable woman’s success: She feared the Lord (Prov. 31:30). Her reverential awe of God motivated and guided who she was and what she did. Consequently, this beloved wife and mother represent an ideal for women of God through the ages. But she is not the only virtuous example in Scripture. There are many inspiring women who should be admired.

Biblical women of God

Several virtuous Old Testament women can be noted. There is Moses’ sister, Miriam, a patriot and prophetess who proclaimed in song God’s goodness to Israel (Ex. 15:20,21)

20 “And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.”

21 “And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

In Exodus 35:20-29, unnamed women worshiped God and ministered to the believing assembly with their generosity and their creative skills. Ruth learned to trust God through her relationship with a godly mother-in-law (Ruth 1:16,17)

16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Hannah trusted God for a child, and kept her promise to God when the boy was born (I Sam. 1:8-28). Esther bravely did her part to save her people (Esther 4:13-17).

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

In the New Testament, Mary the mother of Jesus responded with astonishing faith to the angel’s declaration (Luke 1:38).

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

The prophetess Anna spoke of Israel’s Messiah to all who came to the temple (Luke 2:36-38).

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Jesus Himself repeatedly shattered cultural and ceremonial expectations by His interactions with women. For example, in John 4:7-42, Jesus revealed His identity to an unnamed woman, many times married, who subsequently became the first Samaritan evangelist. Both Mary and Martha were women of God. In settling the conflict between them, Jesus must have shocked bystanders by explicitly affirming Mary’s better choice to be a disciple (Luke 10:38-42).

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

In the early church, women of God ministered wherever they were. Lydia, a successful businesswoman, became the first Christian convert in Europe (Acts 16:14).

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

Pricilla and her husband, Aquila, ministered to Paul and many other believers (Acts 18:2, 24-28; Rom. 16:3-5).

Acts 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

Acts 18:24 and a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.Acts 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Being Women of God

In a culture where values and expectations appear to shift constantly, women of God need to anchor their lives in timeless truths of Scripture and the examples of the godly women (and men) of the Bible. The following are some guidelines to successful living:

Make Knowing God the Top Priority

This is not easy when a woman is busy with family and/or career as well as church and community service. Nevertheless, cultivating ever-increasing intimacy with God needs to be a lifelong priority. To really know God, as opposed to merely knowing about God, Christians must intentionally create a spiritual environment. This means God is given one’s undivided attention in ways that foster an intimate and interactive relationship. It requires times of solitude and stillness to develop inner quietness in order to hear God speak His thoughts from His Word and by His Spirit.

Commit to Knowing and Living in Truth

This means sifting through one’s belief systems to retain and strengthen biblically based thinking and to discard unbiblical misbeliefs. The idea of committing to truth often seems most frightening to those who were most wounded in the past by abuse and neglect.

Seek Healthy Christian Relationships

An unbiblical over dependence on human relationships can lead to an “approval addiction” that has the power to elevate the praise of people above the approval of God. Sometimes women draw a sense of personal worth from the quality of their relationships. If so, they are apt to believe they can “fix” every relationship with every person if they try hard enough. Romans 12:18 out lines the limits of a Christian’s responsibility to live in harmony with others.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Find or Become a Godly Mentor

Titus 2:3-5 refers to a healthy model of mentoring between older and younger women.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

A mentor models Christ-centered living and encourages others during their struggles. For the mentor and the one being mentored, the experience is both edifying and humbling. Learning and blessing flow in both directions when people experience a purposeful and honest relationship with one another. Connection between godly older and younger women is sorely needed in churches today to offset the cultural assault upon biblical values.

Maintain Realistic Expectations

Reality-based expectations benefit women in their approach to themselves, to others, and to God. With regard to themselves, it means that they seek increasing maturity in Christ likeness rather than perfection. This is not an apologetic for sloppy or sinful living; it is an acceptance of reality and of realistic expectations. Women do well to maintain an attitude of humility, never assuming that they have completely mastered any lesson. They must stay teachable by walking very close to the Teacher.

Having realistic expectations for others means that women can freely cultivate friendship and pour themselves into their families while remembering that even the best of people cannot meet their deepest longings. Others will disappoint them. Only God can do all things perfectly.

Women of God in the Twenty-First Century

Women of God were the last to leave the cross of Christ and the first to arrive at the tomb. Since that time, rules and roles for women have changed dramatically. Yet as the twenty-first century unfolds, one constant remains amid personal transitions and cultural upheavals: Like their biblical ancestors, women of God still worship, serve, and proclaim His goodness with their words and with their deeds.

Further Meditation:

Proverbs 9:1-18;

1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars:

2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens: she calls from the tops of the heights of the city,

4 Whoever is naïve (simple), let him turn in here: to him who lacks understanding, she says,

5 Come, eat of my food, and drink of the wine which I have mixed.

6 Forsake your folly and live; and go in the way of understanding.

7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.

8 So not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you: reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser: teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and the years of life will be added to you.

12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself: and if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

13 The woman of folly is boisterous: she is naive, and knows nothing.

14 she sits at the doorway of her house, on a seat by the high places of the city,

15 calling to those who pass by, who are making their paths straight:

16 Whoever is naive, let him turn in here: and to him who lacks understanding, she says,

17 Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

18 But he does not know that the dead are there; that her guests are in the depths of Sheol (hell).

Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

Proverbs 14:1

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

I Peter 3:1-6

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

We need to remember that our children are watching all that we do. They watch what we say. And they use that as a frame of reference for what is the normal way of handling everything. I used to think adults knew how to do everything and knew what all the right answers were.

An example is something I ran into the other day. I went to the laundry mat to wash clothes. We had a very long day there.. And not having any entertainment there but each other.. A few chairs.. And some tables for folding clothes there was nothing to do. We got there at 9 am and went home at 11;30 to return at 12;30 and stay till 4. On our second trip there.. The kids were hot and bored.. But they were making the best out of it that they could. They were doing better then I had expected them to. There was an older lady (retired at least). She was sitting there reading a readers digest. Didn’t think much of it. Well in time.. She looked annoyed with all the noise the kids were making. One of the kids tried to roll away one of the laundry carts from her area and she quickly retrieved it. I told the kids that she didn’t look like she wanted to be bothered.. Could they stay clear of her. The girls did an ok job. Although they were still being semi loud (normal). The girls had set up the chairs in front of each other like a train. While the lady was checking her clothes.. Pj went to go get her chair. I stopped him as she was using it. He was determined to get it though. Soon as I had my back turned he was off like a shot. By this time she was returning to her chair.. Quickly grabbed the chair out of pj’s hands and roughly placed her chair back where it was as if to say “my chair”. I was a bit steamed to be honest. We were nearly done, the kids weren’t being that bad, we were all tired, and I wasn’t impressed she was in a sense fighting with a 3 y/o. She had pushed past ppl without so much as an excuse me. I told the kids we needed to gather our things and head out. I had started to say that this woman obviously lost her manners as she grew older rather then gaining them.. And then I realized that the kids were looking at my reaction. I said, you know, we need to head out, because I don’t want to have a bad attitude. One of my daughters started to say something negative about the woman and I said, “no, we cant have this attitude. We need to pray for her not say mean things. We don’t know. Maybe she doesn’t know Jesus” I will be honest.. I was still struggling with being upset with her. I mean.. she yanked a chair away from my baby. But that isn’t what I should be showing my children. They need to learn forgiveness and compassion, because we all come to a point where we are the ones in need of the compassion and forgiveness. Its not always easy to do what Jesus would, but I think he knows our hearts and is pleased with our efforts more then successes