women in the Bible Archives

He Knows Your Name

October 31, 2013 by Kathy Howard 4 Comments

Have you ever felt alone? Vulnerable? Just one woman lost in a crowd of faces. Unknown and nameless.

The month of October we’ve explored six women in the Gospels that the writers left unnamed. Six women in need. Seven women who encountered Jesus and would never be the same.

Their stories give us hope. We’re reminded that no matter how small we feel Jesus sees us and knows us. No matter how great – or small – our need, Jesus cares and is able and willing to provide.

Maybe like the woman who had been crippled for 18 years you need freedom from some physical prison.
Maybe like the widow from Nain you are overwhelmed with grief and loss.
Maybe like the poor widow you’re down to your last penny.
Maybe like the Canaanite woman you have a desperately sick child.
Maybe like the woman caught in adultery you need forgiveness and restoration.
Maybe like the woman at the well you’re an outcast in need of redemption.
Maybe like the woman with the issue of blood you’re desperate, without hope.

Jesus showed unconditional love to all these women. He miraculously met their needs beyond their wildest expectations.

He is able to do the same in your life. Come to Him today. Reach out in faith.

He knows your name.

Nameless Women in the Gospels

October 3, 2013 by Kathy Howard 5 Comments

We’ve read their stories many times. Their pain and grief jump off the pages of God’s Word. Their desperate need and raw emotion still flow down through the centuries. But the Gospel writers left out one detail. We don’t know their names.

Everywhere Jesus went He met need with power and compassion. The Gospels tell countless stories of healing, deliverance, provision, and freedom.

Sometimes Jesus met the needs of a multitude, like when he multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed 5,000 plus hungry people. Sometimes Jesus met the need of a group. For instance, He provided wine for a wedding feast and calmed the dangerous storm on the Sea of Galilee to save the twelve.

But most often, Jesus met the need of the one. Up close, personal, intimate. Sometimes the name of the one is included in the story and sometimes it is not.

Throughout October here at Do Not Depart, we will be exploring the nameless women Jesus encountered. Unnamed by the Gospel writers, these women were valuable to Jesus. In compassion and power, He reached out and met their need.

And He knew their names.

Do you ever feel “unnamed?” Just one insignificant person lost in an endless stream of needy people? Jesus knows your name. He knows your need. His power and compassion are sufficient for you today.

Join us through this series. Allow Jesus’ encounters with the “nameless” ones of the Gospels to encourage your heart today.

Have you ever felt “nameless?” How can recognizing that Jesus knows your name and need encourage you today?

Top 10 Women in the Bible You May Not Know

February 27, 2012 by Sandra Peoples 26 Comments

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
painting by Paul Rubens- "The Meeting of David and Abigail"
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.