Did you know there are 187 women named in the Bible, and hundreds more mentioned? I am thankful God included so many women’s stories as example to us, both good and bad. Most of us know Eve, Sarah, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the sisters Mary and Martha. Today I want us to look at the lives of women who may not get much attention, but they all served a purpose in God’s plan of redemption.

1. Lot’s Wife (Gen. 19 & Luke 17:32)-  Lot’s wife had a choice—she could obey the messenger of the Lord and follow her husband to safety out of Sodom and Gomorrah, or she could hang onto her old life of sin and worldly pleasures. Unfortunately, she couldn’t completely turn her back on her old life and was turned into a pillar of salt.
2. Miriam (Ex. 2:4-10; 15:20-21; Num. 12:1-15; 20:1; Micah 6:4)-  We first meet Miriam when she’s following her baby brother Moses down the river, where their mother had sent him to save his life. Later, Moses and his brother Aaron led the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. After crossing the Red Sea, Miriam led the women in singing and dancing to praise the Lord for His deliverance.
3. Samson’s Mom (Jug. 13)- In the days when Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord (Judges 13:1),  a messenger from God visited the wife of Manoah. He told her that she would give birth to a son who would be a Nazarite, he would be set apart for the Lord’s service. She followed the messenger’s instructions and named her son Samson. Even though Samson didn’t always obey God, he is listed as a hero of faith in Hebrews 11. He clearly learned lessons of faith from his obedient mother.
4. Abigail (1 Sam. 25)-  Abigail was a beautiful, intelligent woman married to Nabal, whose name literally meant “fool.” Nabal insulted David, who wanted retaliation on Nabal and his household. Abigail wisely interceded and saved their lives. David saw Abigail’s beauty and intelligence, and when Nabal died, David married Abigail.
5. Naaman’s Maidservant(2 Kings 5)- Although she had been captured in Israel and brought to Syria as a house servant, this teenager told her mistress about a prophet in Samaria who she said could heal her master Naaman’s leprosy. She could have withheld this information out of anger, but she did not and showed God’s mercy in this pagan land.

   

6. Gomer (Hosea)- Gomer was the unfaithful wife of the prophet Hosea. God used their relationship as a picture of His love for Israel. Hosea’s relentless love redeemed her from a life of harlotry.
7. Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25, 57-66)- God sent a messenger to Elizabeth’s husband Zacharias, telling him they would give birth to a son, John, who would be great in the sight of the Lord, filled with the Holy Spirit even when in Elizabeth’s womb. While still pregnant, Elizabeth’s cousin Mary came to visit, revealing she was also pregnant. Elizabeth immediately knew Mary was the mother of the coming Savior.  Elizabeth was a friend and mentor to Mary during her pregnancy.
8. Anna (Luke 2:36-38)- Anna had been a widow for decades, and was serving at the temple. She saw the baby Jesus when He was presented at the temple. She praised God and told all those she met about Him. I would consider Anna the first evangelist!
9. James & John’s Mom (Matt. 20:20-28; 27:56; Mark 10:35-45; 15:40; 16:1)- Also known as Zebedee’s wife, James and John’s mom was proud of her sons for being in Jesus’ inner circle. So proud, she asked Jesus if James and John could sit at His right and left hands in His Kingdom. Jesus used her question to teach His disciples about true greatness. This mom to the Sons of Thunder learned an important lesson from the Son of Man.
10. Dorcas (Acts 9:36-43)-  Dorcas was a beloved disciple in the town of Joppa, so beloved that when she died, her friends called Peter and showed him the tunics and garments she had made for the widows. Peter prayed for her to raise from the dead, and she did. Dorcas had a servant’s heart, and her legacy was one of love and care for others.