Three Fierce Women In The Bible. A Prophet, Queen and Judge

Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

I’ve been spending a little time studying the women in the Bible. They sometimes stepped in a sea of men and helped lead the charge of faith. Who were they? What did they bring to the table? How was it even possible for them to forge ahead in a position of faith and leadership in a male dominated culture? I can answer that pretty quickly. They were courageous and led by the Spirit of God himself. 

Miriam, the first woman prophetess

First, we named our daughter Miriam. The name means beloved or rebellion. I’m a bit partial to that name. What is a prophetess? A woman who speaks with divine inspiration or on behalf of a deity. Miriam was the sister of Moses. In the story of Moses, a decree had gone out in Egypt that all Hebrew males must be slain at birth by the midwives or thrown in the Nile river. Why were they thrown into the river? The new king of Egypt saw the growing population of Hebrew children and decided they needed to decrease the number of males. It was brutal to be sure. I can’t imagine being a mother and having my child ripped from my arms. I can only imagine the amount of weeping that occurred. Moses’ mother was able to hide Moses until he was 3 months old. After that, she made a basket and placed Moses in the basket in the Nile. Miriam, in her concern for her little brother, followed the basket until it met with the daughter of Pharaoh. Miriam quickly stepped into the role of advocate for Moses. She told Pharaoh’s daughter that she knew a wet nurse, Pharaoh’s daughter agreed and Miriam reunited Moses with his mother. What a precious heart she had. 

Miriam had a heart of care

Can you imagine being a Hebrew slave and your little brother growing up in the house of Pharoah? The contrast in those lives must have been stark for her to see. Miriam is not mentioned again until Exodus 15. Even though she was not mentioned, I have to hope that she knew her brother’s struggle. He fell from royalty for killing another man, fled to the desert and had a meeting with a burning bush and God. After that all the plagues that came through Egypt. Could you imagine lives with that much suffering? In Exodus 15, Miriam the prophetess took the timbrel and sang a song to the Lord. The women followed her as well. Miriam sang this song after the Red Sea parted, I think if I witnessed that I would sing a song too. 

Miriam had her moments of doubt

After that, Miriam is mentioned a couple more times. After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they wandered for many years in the desert. She got a little impatient. I would too. She started to question if Moses was the right man for the job. In her questioning and moaning, God caused her to contract leprosy. Her brother Aaron interceded on her behalf and she was healed. What can that teach us? Miriam’s actions teach us that it is okay to ask God, “What is going on?” Or, “God, I don’t know, but I am glad that you do. Could you please help my attitude?” One day I was having a particularly challenging time. We have a white board in our house where we write funny anecdotes or lists. My son, sensing I was really struggling wrote this: “When it comes to life, we can really control two things, OUR attitude and approach to how we solve this thing called life.” Well said son, well said. It’s okay to ask God, just ask with a humble spirit and attitude.

What did Miriam teach us?

Miriam showed us strength from childhood in caring for her brother. She demonstrated leadership to others after a time of great stress, and stood by her brother even when times were hard. She needed some correction in her murmuring but after that, she stayed true to God’s Word. The last time we see Miriam is in her death. Not much is said, other than she passed and was buried in the desert. Finally, it is wonderful that Miriam was a musician. I hope that she was remembered by her words: “Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted.” 

Esther, the Queen and brave

In the time of Esther, the Jews were in captivity in Babylon. Esther was raised by her cousin Mordecai. As Esther grew in age and beauty, she was selected to be the Queen to King Xerxes. One particular day, Mordecai  (through hearing gossip at the palace gate) heard of a plot to assassinate the king. When he was in possession of this knowledge, he told Esther, and Esther told the king. Once the king was in possession of this knowledge, the plot was stopped and Mordecai’s name was recorded in the king’s chronicles. Mordecai’s troubles were just beginning after his heroic act. There was another man named Haman who was an official in the king’s court. He hated Mordecai because he would not offer him homage or bow to him. Mordecai’s faith did not allow him to bow to anyone but God. In his blind hatred, Haman made a plot to kill all of the Jews. He poisoned the king’s mind with vile tales of the people and the king did indeed set a date for destruction. 

Esther chose to step into strength

Because of this decree, Mordecai told Esther of the evil plot. He implored Esther to visit the king and tell him to save their people. Esther knew that it could be death to visit the king unannounced. In her hesitation these uplifting words were uttered by Mordecai. “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” In other words, perhaps God placed her there to save the Jewish people. Esther, bolstered by Mordecai’s words, did see the king and implore him to save her people. After that, Haman was hung on the gallows that he had erected for Mordecai. He was elevated to second in rank after the king and Esther remained Queen. 

What can Esther teach us?

 Bravery, true grit, a love for family and a willingness to be brave. Esther could have been put to death for even approaching the King without a summons. Esther through her faith in God saved her people. I’d say that is someone who was surely afraid, but strong in spirit. Esther also showed us that when we are willing and listening, perhaps God can use us. 

Deborah, Prophetess and Judge

Deborah was the only female judge among the 12 judges in Israel. In a role that was decidedly male during that time. She served as a judge concerning legal decisions. Also, the Bible shares that she was indeed a prophetess. The Israelites found themselves in a pickle. They were worshiping God and the Canaanite gods. Because they did not heed God’s command to worship him alone, they were given over to their enemies. In their fear, they ran to Deborah for a word from God. In her words she uttered the absolutely amazing phrase: “Certainly I’ll go with you. But you will not win any honors for the way you are going about this, because the Lord will use a woman to defeat Sisera.” Deborah stood toe to toe with the leaders in battle and they won. Her willingness to go forth in faith and strength changed the tide of the war with the Israelites. Deborah referred to herself as a Mother in Israel. What does that mean? That was a very high honor. The word obviously denotes authority, but also caring, nurturing, in modern terms I would call it a mama bear. Deborah was open to God’s voice and leading and God used her. 

Each woman showed us the power of faith

Each of these amazing Biblical women were true testaments of faith. Now, I love the stories of men in the Bible as well. I kind of like men, I’m married to one. These wonderful women show us that God will use those willing to answer the call. Thank you, Miriam, Esther and Deborah for your stories of strength. Your memories are a blessing.