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 will answer the questions, “Who is an intelligent woman in the Bible?” and “Who is a humble woman in the Bible?”
Who was the most intelligent character in the Bible? Abigail is a contender, certainly. Abigail, called “the wise woman of the Bible”, is also Abigail, “the most beautiful woman in the Bible.” She is described as being “of good sense and beautiful in looks” (1 Sam. 25.2), and her story is wild and unpredictable.
After David made an offering of peace to Abigail’s husband, her husband rebuffed and insulted the future-King. Abigail, being wise, knew this would spell doom for her house and quickly prepared a feast for David and his men, thus calming his anger and earning his friendship. This friendship developed further after the strange death of Abigail’s husband, and she became the wife of David who cherished her, traveled with her, rescued her from captivity, and ultimately gave her a son, Daniel.
Who is a humble woman in the Bible? Earlier, we made the case for Anna the prophetess; however, since there are so many remarkable women in scripture, here let us briefly explore the story of Mary Magdalene.
After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary in the garden of Gethsemane but she didn’t initially recognize him. In all likelihood this was because Mary was overcome with grief. Mary asked for the “gardener” to point her to Jesus’ corpse so she could mourn, but it was precisely at this point that Jesus revealed himself by using her nickname: Mariam (the Aramaic version of her Greek name, Mary).
At once Mary recognized Jesus and blurted out her own favored affective, Rabbouni. At this point we come face to face with the fact that something has changed in the relationship between Jesus and Mary. He tells her not to touch him, trying to gently let Mary know that things aren’t just going to go back to the way they were. He’s different now, and Mary herself will be different because of what has happened.
I maintain that Mary’s willingness to accept this new relationship with Jesus demonstrates great humility on her part. She doesn’t cling. She doesn’t object. She doesn’t lay special claim to Jesus—an observation Dan Brown and his ilk would be smart to note. Instead, she goes to the disciples and proclaims that Christ is risen and the old things have passed away.
Who was a strong female in the Bible? Here, I think we’re wise to acknowledge the strength of Mary, the teenage girl who was “overshadowed” by the Spirit (Lk. 1.35).
It is a profound challenge to be overshadowed, and shows the strength of a woman in the Bible. Most of us would never allow it. Most of us want to get out in front and make our own decisions. We know what we want and we think we know how to go about getting it, but that kind of presumptuousness is usually what causes us to miss out on God’s plans, God’s timing, and God’s desire for us.
Not Mary. She accepts precisely what God offers and provides one of the examples of wise women in the Bible. She knows her place, embracing her role as “the servant of the Lord” (Lk. 1.38) and bursts forth in prophetic song.
That’s why we celebrate Mary, who is the wise woman of the Bible and a strong female in the Bible, also.
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