The Bible was written in an era of patriarchal society. While the women found in its stories have hidden roles, they have much to teach us. This sermon series will uncover the stories of these extraordinary female characters of the Bible, revealing their faith and faithfulness even in the midst of great hardship and disappointment.
In the history of Christianity and our denomination we have seen many women stand up for justice, compassion, and the proclaiming of the word. Were it not for the women leading the way over the years the church would not be all that it is today. We need men who are going to lead the way in the 21st century. But, we can’t do it without the women. So let’s be that kind of church that treasures its Jeremiahs and its Huldahs. Rise up O women of God.
In this series, we are looking at the stories of women in scripture in order to learn a little bit about our own stories. These Biblical stories teach us something about who we are and who God is. Today we turn our attention to the story of Sarah and Hagar which is found in the book of Genesis. But what does that tell us about our story and who God is?
With instructions from God, Joshua prepares God’s people for the battle of Jericho. He tells them over and over “to be strong and courageous.” To prepare for battle, Joshua sends two spies into the city to size up the situation. They wind up at the home of Rahab, who becomes an unlikely hero. Rahab is one of the Bible’s most fascinating and unique characters. Although not an Israelite, she makes daring decisions to follow God, based on the little information she had. Ultimately, she becomes a key figure in God’s redemption story, and is listed as part of Jesus’ family tree.
The story of Esther focuses on the Jewish community that remained living in the Persian capital of Susa after the Babylonian exile was over. The most powerful man in the world at that time was King Xerxes, who was a shallow man who lived his life for his own pleasure and wealth. After an orphan named Esther wins a beauty contest, she becomes the new queen and saves the Jewish people from a genocide ordered by her husband the king. So what do we learn about ourselves from this story?