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And thought it fitting to pass on to this forum. Women of the bible, in honor of Purim, Women's History month (March) and International Women's day.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: God used Women in the Bible - inspiring change for such a time as this
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:15:48 -0400
From: Messianic Bible <info@biblesforisrael.com>
Reply-To: info@biblesforisrael.com
Shalom David,
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household." (Proverbs 31:25–27)
Sunday was International Women's Day. People worldwide bought flowers for their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.
Since its inception in 1909, this special day has gained status as a public holiday in about 30 nations, including Uganda, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
International Women's Day (IWD) rallies supporters of gender equality in the professional world, advocates for safe environments for women, and celebrates women in our lives in all their varied roles.
This year, the IWD theme was "An equal world is an enabled world."
An Israeli woman enjoys a falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern sandwich.
The Bible is full of women who played decisive roles, boldly enabling change as prophets and leaders in Jewish society.
Other women's lives in the Bible are wrought with tragedies of exploitation and injustice. Even so, they were often redeemed and avenged by those boldly seeking a change to such injustice.
While the avengers' methods were not always godly, their moral outrage is still commendable.
Let's take a look at some of these women and those who stood by them in good and in evil, boldly seeking change.
Queen Esther, by Edwin Long
Queen Esther
"Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17)
This theme of enabling change seems especially fitting since the Jewish people just celebrated the courage of women with the most joyous festival on the Jewish calendar—Purim (Festival of Lots).
This holiday celebrated the exemplary leadership and bravery of Hadassah, a Jewish girl who rose to become ancient Persia's Queen Esther.
As queen, Esther risked death to inspire change, advocating for the Jewish People's salvation from planned genocide.
In struggling with the decision to seek the king's mercy, she modeled modesty, courage, and perseverance, even as she rallied her people to fast and pray for their lives.
To come before the king uninvited was a huge risk. But Esther listened to the sage advice of her uncle Mordecai who urged her to break through social barriers and do whatever was in her power, even if it meant hazarding a death sentence.
"Mordecai trained Esther so that when the time came to exercise courage to risk her life and her nation (that special moment), she was able to accomplish what God wanted," writes the Rev. Eric Maefonea. "It takes courage to push yourself to places that you’ve never been before, to test your limits, to break through barriers." (Solomon Star News)
Esther seized the opportunity at hand and boldly yet modestly changed a decree of death to life.
Seduction of Dinah, Daughter of Leah, by
James Tissot
We are very grateful for all sponsorships.
Jacob's Daughter Dinah: Brotherly Revenge
"Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land." (Genesis 34:1)
In Genesis 34, the daughter of Israel, named Dinah, was raped by Shechem, the son of a local ruler who professed to love her. He even underwent circumcision to marry her.
Nevertheless, Dinah's indignant brothers, Simeon and Levi, attacked Shechem and every male in his city, incurring the condemnation of their father. (Genesis 49:5–7)
Despite this rebuke from their father, the brothers argued: "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?" (Genesis 34:31)
Judah and Tamar (1653), by Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680)
Judah's Daughter-in-Law Tamar: The Pursuit of Justice
"He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9)
Another biblical account concerning the poor treatment of women involves Tamar, the wife of Judah’s firstborn son, Er. (Genesis 38)
Because of his wickedness, Er died before Tamar conceived any children.
Under Yibbum or Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5–6), Er’s brother Onan was obligated to marry the widow to raise up an heir for Er. Despite this obligation, Onan refused to give Er an heir. As a result, God judged him as well, and he died prematurely.
At this point, Judah told Tamar to wait for his next son Shelah to grow up so that Shelah could bring about an heir for Er.
He really had no intention of doing so, though, as he blamed his daughter-in-law Tamar for his sons' deaths, thinking she was cursed.
Judah and Tamar, by Rembrandt
When Tamar understood Judah’s deception, she disguised herself as a prostitute in her own effort to raise up an heir for her deceased husband. It worked. Judah unwittingly hired Tamar for her services.
When he found out that Tamar was pregnant, Judah condemned her for prostitution. In fact, he called for her to be burned to death.
In her wisdom, Tamar kept Judah's pledged seal, cord, and staff (the emblems of his leadership) as evidence of his involvement.
These items also gave evidence to the community that Tamar's deceased husband, Er, would finally receive an heir from a close male relative, as was the custom.
Ring inlaid with a seal depicting an Egyptian
warrior holding a shield and sword.
(Photo by Israel Antiquities Authority)
When Judah recognized that he was the father of Tamar's baby, he repented of his unjust attitude and actions toward her.
He understood that she acted only to obtain what was due to her and admitted, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." (Genesis 38:26)
By independently acting to obtain justice for herself, Tamar not only protected the lineage of her husband, but also the promised Messianic lineage. How?
Tamar's son Perez became a forefather of King David and Yeshua (Jesus). (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33)
The Lion of Judah is the symbol of the Tribe of Judah.
Ruth: A Woman of Excellence
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" (Ruth 1:16)
Similar to Tamar, the Book of Ruth highlights a situation in which a woman overcomes obstacles.
Ruth, the Gentile daughter-in-law of the Jewess Naomi, looked to the family go’el (kinsman redeemer) to redeem her from widowhood and buy Naomi's land so as to keep it in the family name.
By being redeemed, Ruth would be able to help the widow Naomi who was left without a husband, sons, or grandchildren.
Boaz consented to marry Ruth and to redeem the land, fulfilling the patriarchal duty of keeping the property in the family inheritance. (Ruth 4:5; Deuteronomy 25:6)
Through this union, Boaz and Ruth became ancestors of both King David and Yeshua.
Ruth in Boaz's Field, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
Ruth has some wonderful qualities in addition to being an overcomer, which should inspire men and women alike.
When Ruth's husband died, she could have easily stayed in Moab and let her mother-in-law go on to Israel on her own.
But she insisted on standing by Naomi and returning with her to Israel, even though it was a foreign land to her.
She is a model of chesed (compassion) and courage. She even faced the dangers of gleaning in the field so her mother-in-law could eat.
Ruth further demonstrated loyalty and obedience by agreeing to Naomi’s plan for her to marry Boaz. (Ruth 3:5)
Ruth, by Antonio Cortina Farinós
Boaz didn't only marry Ruth because of his responsibility to Naomi. He
recognized, along with everyone else, her very evident qualities and called her an eshet chayil, which has been translated as a virtuous and capable wife, a worthy woman, and a woman of excellence.
“Don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character [eshet chayil].” (Ruth 3:11)
This same phrase is found in Proverbs 31, which Jewish men recite over their wives every Shabbat as a blessing.
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: God used Women in the Bible - inspiring change for such a time as this
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2020 07:15:48 -0400
From: Messianic Bible <info@biblesforisrael.com>
Reply-To: info@biblesforisrael.com
Shalom David,
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household." (Proverbs 31:25–27)
Sunday was International Women's Day. People worldwide bought flowers for their mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.
Since its inception in 1909, this special day has gained status as a public holiday in about 30 nations, including Uganda, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
International Women's Day (IWD) rallies supporters of gender equality in the professional world, advocates for safe environments for women, and celebrates women in our lives in all their varied roles.
This year, the IWD theme was "An equal world is an enabled world."
An Israeli woman enjoys a falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern sandwich.
The Bible is full of women who played decisive roles, boldly enabling change as prophets and leaders in Jewish society.
Other women's lives in the Bible are wrought with tragedies of exploitation and injustice. Even so, they were often redeemed and avenged by those boldly seeking a change to such injustice.
While the avengers' methods were not always godly, their moral outrage is still commendable.
Let's take a look at some of these women and those who stood by them in good and in evil, boldly seeking change.
Queen Esther, by Edwin Long
Queen Esther
"Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti." (Esther 2:17)
This theme of enabling change seems especially fitting since the Jewish people just celebrated the courage of women with the most joyous festival on the Jewish calendar—Purim (Festival of Lots).
This holiday celebrated the exemplary leadership and bravery of Hadassah, a Jewish girl who rose to become ancient Persia's Queen Esther.
As queen, Esther risked death to inspire change, advocating for the Jewish People's salvation from planned genocide.
In struggling with the decision to seek the king's mercy, she modeled modesty, courage, and perseverance, even as she rallied her people to fast and pray for their lives.
To come before the king uninvited was a huge risk. But Esther listened to the sage advice of her uncle Mordecai who urged her to break through social barriers and do whatever was in her power, even if it meant hazarding a death sentence.
"Mordecai trained Esther so that when the time came to exercise courage to risk her life and her nation (that special moment), she was able to accomplish what God wanted," writes the Rev. Eric Maefonea. "It takes courage to push yourself to places that you’ve never been before, to test your limits, to break through barriers." (Solomon Star News)
Esther seized the opportunity at hand and boldly yet modestly changed a decree of death to life.
Seduction of Dinah, Daughter of Leah, by
James Tissot
We are very grateful for all sponsorships.
Jacob's Daughter Dinah: Brotherly Revenge
"Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land." (Genesis 34:1)
In Genesis 34, the daughter of Israel, named Dinah, was raped by Shechem, the son of a local ruler who professed to love her. He even underwent circumcision to marry her.
Nevertheless, Dinah's indignant brothers, Simeon and Levi, attacked Shechem and every male in his city, incurring the condemnation of their father. (Genesis 49:5–7)
Despite this rebuke from their father, the brothers argued: "Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?" (Genesis 34:31)
Judah and Tamar (1653), by Ferdinand Bol (1616-1680)
Judah's Daughter-in-Law Tamar: The Pursuit of Justice
"He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children." (Psalm 113:9)
Another biblical account concerning the poor treatment of women involves Tamar, the wife of Judah’s firstborn son, Er. (Genesis 38)
Because of his wickedness, Er died before Tamar conceived any children.
Under Yibbum or Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5–6), Er’s brother Onan was obligated to marry the widow to raise up an heir for Er. Despite this obligation, Onan refused to give Er an heir. As a result, God judged him as well, and he died prematurely.
At this point, Judah told Tamar to wait for his next son Shelah to grow up so that Shelah could bring about an heir for Er.
He really had no intention of doing so, though, as he blamed his daughter-in-law Tamar for his sons' deaths, thinking she was cursed.
Judah and Tamar, by Rembrandt
When Tamar understood Judah’s deception, she disguised herself as a prostitute in her own effort to raise up an heir for her deceased husband. It worked. Judah unwittingly hired Tamar for her services.
When he found out that Tamar was pregnant, Judah condemned her for prostitution. In fact, he called for her to be burned to death.
In her wisdom, Tamar kept Judah's pledged seal, cord, and staff (the emblems of his leadership) as evidence of his involvement.
These items also gave evidence to the community that Tamar's deceased husband, Er, would finally receive an heir from a close male relative, as was the custom.
Ring inlaid with a seal depicting an Egyptian
warrior holding a shield and sword.
(Photo by Israel Antiquities Authority)
When Judah recognized that he was the father of Tamar's baby, he repented of his unjust attitude and actions toward her.
He understood that she acted only to obtain what was due to her and admitted, "She is more righteous than I, since I wouldn't give her to my son Shelah." (Genesis 38:26)
By independently acting to obtain justice for herself, Tamar not only protected the lineage of her husband, but also the promised Messianic lineage. How?
Tamar's son Perez became a forefather of King David and Yeshua (Jesus). (Matthew 1:3; Luke 3:33)
The Lion of Judah is the symbol of the Tribe of Judah.
Ruth: A Woman of Excellence
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'" (Ruth 1:16)
Similar to Tamar, the Book of Ruth highlights a situation in which a woman overcomes obstacles.
Ruth, the Gentile daughter-in-law of the Jewess Naomi, looked to the family go’el (kinsman redeemer) to redeem her from widowhood and buy Naomi's land so as to keep it in the family name.
By being redeemed, Ruth would be able to help the widow Naomi who was left without a husband, sons, or grandchildren.
Boaz consented to marry Ruth and to redeem the land, fulfilling the patriarchal duty of keeping the property in the family inheritance. (Ruth 4:5; Deuteronomy 25:6)
Through this union, Boaz and Ruth became ancestors of both King David and Yeshua.
Ruth in Boaz's Field, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
Ruth has some wonderful qualities in addition to being an overcomer, which should inspire men and women alike.
When Ruth's husband died, she could have easily stayed in Moab and let her mother-in-law go on to Israel on her own.
But she insisted on standing by Naomi and returning with her to Israel, even though it was a foreign land to her.
She is a model of chesed (compassion) and courage. She even faced the dangers of gleaning in the field so her mother-in-law could eat.
Ruth further demonstrated loyalty and obedience by agreeing to Naomi’s plan for her to marry Boaz. (Ruth 3:5)
Ruth, by Antonio Cortina Farinós
Boaz didn't only marry Ruth because of his responsibility to Naomi. He
recognized, along with everyone else, her very evident qualities and called her an eshet chayil, which has been translated as a virtuous and capable wife, a worthy woman, and a woman of excellence.
“Don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character [eshet chayil].” (Ruth 3:11)
This same phrase is found in Proverbs 31, which Jewish men recite over their wives every Shabbat as a blessing.
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)