Faithful Women Used by God

Photo Credit: Billion Photos

Dear Praying Friends,

In reading the account of the tumultuous history of God's people in the book of Judges, I noticed how a number of women were used by God in significant ways for blessing and the progress of God’s plan. Let's look at four together.

In Chapter 1, Achsah, the daughter of Caleb, became the wife of Othniel because of his heroics in conquering the city of Kiriath-sepher in the land of Negeb.

What caught my attention was her desire and request for a special blessing. She asked for a field of water springs, which was significant because the Negeb was a dry barren place.

What I find commendable was the foresight in her request. She foresaw the need of refreshing water for her family and the new inhabitants of this city and was willing to step up and request it. How good it is when sisters of vision see the need for the refreshment of others around them and act accordingly!

Second is the brave and often criticized prophetess Deborah. Because of her leadership, Israel had rest for forty years. Her desire was not for prominence and place (as was clearly seen in her interactions with Barak), but rather for the freedom of God’s people, who lived under the cruel hand of King Jabin of Canaan.

I especially appreciated one of the tasks she performed while being Israel's judge: “She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephriam, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment” (Judges 4:5). Here was a woman of God, a mother in Israel who knew her God, the ways of her God, and made herself available to do the work God gave her to do among His people. May the Lord raise up many more like her!

Then there was the tent-dwelling woman named Jael. Hers was a difficult task, but God had prepared her and then used her mightily in bringing down Sisera, the wicked general. She was not afraid of the enemy and (like David) went out to meet him. She wisely offered the tired general milk and a warm bed.

When he fell asleep, she quietly took a tent peg and hammered it into his temple, staking him to the ground. It was through her actions that the enemy was defeated and God brought His people victory and freedom. From Jael, we learn the importance of courage and faithfulness.

The fourth woman is Manoah’s wife, the mother of Samson. What intrigued me was that the angel of the Lord appeared to her twice rather than to her husband. It was to her that the announcement and instruction concerning Samson came.

She then invited her husband to the second meeting with the angel, and after they conversed, Manoah was afraid for their lives and said, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God” (Judges 13:22). It was his wife who calmed his fears, knowing that God had a special plan for them. This woman, who had been barren, was now marked by great faith.

There is a fifth woman of God that I'd like to mention; her name was Jean Vance and she was the mother of my friend Stephen. Since Stephen and I became friends when we were adults, I didn’t get to know Mrs. Vance until after her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, a year and a half before she died.

I had the privilege of visiting her during that last year and in those visits, I learned that trials can do at least two things: they can develop character, making us more like Jesus and they can also prove the genuineness of character. It was the genuineness of character that I saw in her.

I saw her patience and endurance in the face of great difficulty. I saw her acceptance and joy in the midst of disappointment. I saw her true concern and love for others in times of personal pain.

In her, I saw Jesus.

Jean Vance was a woman devoted to her Lord, and it was visible in her love for God’s people and for the souls of others.

May we learn from these godly, faithful women as we seek our God with true earnest hearts today. Thank you for your continued labor in prayer for our prodigals and revival each Wednesday. It means so much!

Love in Christ,

Bryan and Rachel