This blog is part of a larger exploration of Christian Innovation and Design. It fits within the section concerning creative woman in the Bible, and seeks to answer the question “Who is a hardworking woman in the Bible”
This begs a related issue that, surprisingly, arises often: what is the purpose of a woman in the Bible? That question makes my skin crawl, since I imagine the people who are most eager for the answer are hoping for a biblical substantiation of misogyny. I imagine they want women to have the purpose of wife, mother, and homemaker. That’s it. That seems to be all they ever want: sex, kids, and cooking. But never forget that—before any of us are men or women or husbands or wives or whatever—we’re people. The purpose of people supersedes whatever other purpose(s) we may articulate, since it is people—men and women both—who have been made in the image and likeness of our Creator.
We were made by God to be like God.
We were created by our Creator to perpetuate Creation.
This is the clear thesis of Genesis 1-2—reiterated again in Genesis 4, 9, 12, 15, and throughout the entire scripture.
So, the purpose of women is to be like God, and to cooperate with God in the cultivation and creation of God’s well-ordered world.
So, who is a hardworking woman in the Bible? The woman who focuses on her high and holy calling as an image bearer of God.
And, for my money, it’s hard to beat the example of Ruth.
After her husband died, Ruth’s mother-in-law (Naomi) gave Ruth permission to return to her family since Naomi had no way to financially provide for her daughter-in-law. Naomi had no other sons for Ruth to marry, and no husband to provide for either of them.
Yet, rather than return to her hometown, Ruth was steadfast in her love for Naomi. She sacrificed a life that she knew for a life of uncertainty. She remained faithful to Naomi, and pledged her faithfulness to the Lord. Because of that faithfulness, Ruth was ultimately blessed with a husband named Boaz (and together, they had a child named Obed, whose son was Jesse — the father of King David).
Ruth couldn’t have known that by following Naomi she would someday be blessed by being a part of the Messiah’s family. As Hebrews 11:1 states, “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” (NLT). How often do we practice the kind of faith Ruth had? She endured hardship to prioritize her family, worked hard in the fields of her kinsman, and ultimately secured herself a front row seat to the providence of God.
What is the name of the strongest woman in the Bible? An anointed woman of God in the Bible, who stands tall, is Mary of Bethany who bathed Jesus’ feet in perfume (cf. Luke 7). What makes her so strong? As a “sinful woman”, Mary nevertheless has the courage to approach Jesus and pour an expensive bottle of spikenard on his feet. This bold act of devotion earned her scorn and reproach—which would have come as no surprise to her, given her station and the presence of Simon, the Pharisee. Yet Mary’s strength led her to act in line with her conviction, despite the threat of being shamed and humiliated.
How many of us possess that kind of strength? Most of us are cowed by the idea of any embarrassment, but Mary was so committed to Jesus that she not only approached him but lavishly bathed him in tears and money. It is this strength of character that spurs Jesus to proclaim that whenever the gospel is preached throughout the world, her story will be told (Mark 14.9).
Who was a powerful woman in the Bible? There are many godly woman in the Bible, and many who possessed tremendous power—Deborah and Esther and Priscilla, to name a few. But here I think it’s worth examining Miriam, the sister of Moses. She was a national leader, a powerful prophetess, and an inspiration for biblical feminists for thousands of years.
Who are the 5 greatest women in the Bible, female Bible characters who overcame obstacles? Hagar, whose dispute with her matron Sarah was devastatingly cruel; Hannah, who endured barrenness at the hands of God prior to birthing Samuel; Esther, who risked her life that she might rescue the Jews; Mary, the mother of Jesus, who was forced to watch her son be crucified; and Tamar, who suffered rape at the hands of a trusted relative.
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