As King Saul’s concubine, Rizpah lived largely as less than—less than the wives, less than any bona fide member of the royal family. Her children, though considered legitimate, were unlikely to ascend to the throne. Acquired for their beauty or political connections, concubines were unseen and unheard.
Such was Rizpah.
Scripture doesn’t record a single word that Rizpah says. But her courage, loyalty, (more…)
Resilience was not an aspiration in Achsah’s day. It wasn’t a quality to be fostered. Nor was it a trait for which people received an award at the end of the school year. It was a matter of survival.
Achsah grew up wandering the desert—packing up as the Lord led His people on, facing constant threats from enemies, walking endlessly, longing for (more…)
Infertility was God’s judgment on wicked women, or such was the ancient Israelite mindset. Barren women were openly mocked and scorned. After all, if God were against them, why shouldn’t everyone be against them?
This was Hannah’s world, and it was wrecking her, especially as she endured the taunts of her rival.
But even in her brokenness, Hannah clung to her faith. She (more…)
Many proofs support the authenticity of scripture, including its mention of the roles women played in accomplishing God’s plan. Another support is its transparency—the way it unapologetically exposes the seamy underside of its key players.
The Bible presents the good, bad and ugly, all for our instruction.
Tamar’s story, told in Genesis 38, checks both boxes. Her story isn’t pretty. Don’t look for (more…)
Forrest Gump would likely summarize James 2:14-26 by saying, “Faith is as faith does.” And one Old Testament woman gives us a beautiful picture of that kind of living, doing faith.
She’s referred to as only “the Shunammite” in reference to her home in Shunem, whose people lived in the light of Israel’s God while simultaneously in the shadow of Baal worship. (more…)