22 Fearless Women in the Bible

Sarah

She is the next woman mentioned in the Bible after Eve. She laughed when told that she would bear a son, but that same laugh turned into amazement and triumph when Isaac was born. Genesis 21:5-7 says, “Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. And Sarah said, ‘God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.’ She also said, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.’” Only God could have said that Abraham and Sarah would have children at that age. God said so and it happened. This is the power of God. Sarah also demonstrated faith and obedience while believing God's promises. She left her comfortable and familiar surroundings to launch her journey with God. Sarah became a mother of nations and kings came from her.

Ruth, the Moabite

Ruth’s story captivates and significantly challenges many. She’s a widow from an enemy nation with no prospects. Yet, God moves so mightily in her story and uses it to encourage millions. At the beginning of the book, Ruth is living in her home in Moab; a place and people that the Israelites frowned upon. On top of that, she had lost her husband and was living with her widowed mother-in-law. She also lost her husband without a child, some believing she may have been barren. The pain Ruth must have been in was immense but she didn’t allow her past to hold her back. Ruth showed remarkable faith for such a young believer. She had the faith to believe that God was who He said He was and faith to believe that God would provide for her and Naomi. Her bravery, faith and obedience can encourage us to be better followers of Christ. Ruth was able to overcome her past by giving her life over to the living God. By turning from her idolatrous way of life she was able to be used mightily of the Lord as the great grandmother of King David.

Priscilla

Priscilla ministered the Gospel together with her husband Aquila. The Bible describes her as an effective mentor, when she and her husband take Apollos aside and explain to him the way of God more accurately. The two were a Spirit-filled couple with a godly marriage that resulted in a powerful ministry of the Lord. Paul mentions to the church in Rome that the couple risked their lives for him. The two welcomed Paul into their hearts and home, to live with them and work with them, making tents. Paul established them in the doctrines of the faith, and they in turn, taught others such as Apollos. Priscilla is never mentioned apart from her husband. While they were equal as persons according to their marriage, their functions were different. In marriage, they were one. Paul writes, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

Mary Magdalene

Mary Magdalene was delivered from a life of demonic oppression and experienced the resurrected power of Christ. As a result she was one of the first to announce the risen Christ. Many popular depictions of Mary Magdalene don't do her story justice or speak her truth as a true disciple of Christ. Though she has been reinterpreted over and over again, she remains a potent and mysterious figure. When Mary and the other women, along with the twelve joined Jesus, they were taking a serious risk. Jesus was spurred into action after the arrest of John the Baptist. Much of John the Baptist's ministry took place on the east bank of the Jordan in Herod's territory of Parea. When John was imprisoned, Jesus took up his ministry in Herod's territory of Galilee which was viewed by Herod, not only as a challenge but also a threat. Despite the risk, Mary Magdalene was committed to Jesus' ministry.

Hannah

Hannah is one of the most inspiring women in the Bible and also one of the most identifiable women in Scripture for a number of reasons. We recognize her for her sorrow. She wanted a child so badly but was barren. She prayed to God that she would be granted a son and in turn, promised to dedicate his life to the service of God. She received a son, named him Samuel and didn’t fall short on her promise. She left her son to be raised in the Temple, while still staying connected to him, providing counsel and wisdom to him throughout his life. She is also recognized in the Bible for her sacrifice. She dedicated her baby Samuel to the Lord and left him at the temple to serve God “all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). Her son later grew up to be one of the most influential and Godly figures in the Bible. One of the most inspiring things about Hannah is the fact that she never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer. Hannah's fervent prayer and vow teaches us that consistent faithfulness and persistent prayer get God's attention. She believed God for a son and He multiplied her faith by giving her many children.

The Samaritan Woman

Jesus loved women and treated them with great respect and dignity. This can be seen throughout the New Testament. The value of women that permeates the New Testament isn’t found in the cultures of some societies. For example, Jewish women were barred from public speaking. The oral law prohibited women from reading the Torah out loud. Synagogue worship was segregated, with women never allowed to be heard. Jesus’ treatment of women was very different. One great example is Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman, in public referenced in John 4. The rabbinic oral law was explicit: “He who talks with a woman [in public] brings evil upon himself.” Another rabbinic teaching prominent in Jesus’ day taught, ‘One is not so much as to greet a woman.” From this, we can understand why His disciples were amazed to find Him talking to a woman in public. And imagine how stunned this woman was that the Messiah was trying to reach out to her and offer her living water for her thirst soul. The woman at the well became one of the first mass evangelists for Jesus Christ. She was able to confront her past truthfully and transform into a motivating mouthpiece for the Lord.

Mary of Bethany

The quintessential worshiper and intimate follower of Christ, Mary of Bethany is described in the Bible as "seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word" (Luke 10:39). Mary of Bethany is one of the most beautiful characters in all of Scripture, preparing the way for the Lord’s burial. Mary was the sister of Martha, and her brother was Lazarus from whom Jesus raised from the dead. We see Mary three different times in the Bible, beginning with the incident in her home of her sister, Martha referenced in Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus, and presumably the disciples who traveled with Him, were being entertained. This is probably her most recognized feature. Jesus commended her for “choosing the better,” meaning that Mary’s desire to be near her Lord and hang onto His every word was far more beneficial than running herself ragged with preparations for a meal. Jesus further said that choosing the better thing, learning of the Lord, would not be taken away from Mary. Her priority in life was Christ, the knowledge of Him, and the nearness to Him has chosen what will last through eternity.

Esther

Esther is an inspiring story about a remarkable woman who was willing to risk her life to save her people. She was a woman of principle who was willing to put the lives of others ahead of even her own life. She was an outstanding example of serving others even under the most stressful circumstances. Jesus Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Most of the time our lives may be pretty routine, but all of us have a few defining moments when we may be called on to put godly principle above personal benefit. Esther modeled bravery and courage when she risked her life to save the lives of her people. She teaches us that we must break intimidation and use our influence to bring glory to God.

Miriam

Moses' sister Miriam displays remarkable intelligence and confidence. She not only helped to save her brother's life but also helped set Israel's deliverance in motion. The Hebrew woman, Jochebed, and her daughter Miriam saved him by hiding him among the reeds at the edge of the river. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him. Miriam was strategic, arranging that the real mother of the baby should be a wet-nurse for the baby. She was a self-possessed girl who followed and watched over Moses, ultimately saving his life. Later, Miriam, with her brothers Moses and Aaron, led the Hebrew people through the forty years when they reverted to the nomadic life, searching for the Promised Land.

Achsah, daughter of Caleb

Achsah, in the Bible is the daughter of Caleb, the friend of Joshua (Joshua 15:16). Caleb promises his daughter Achsah to whoever takes the town, and Othniel, son of Kenaz takes on the challenge. He succeeds and marries Achsah. She came with quite a bit of land as well. Achsah came with quite a bit of land, called Negev. The Negev is known for its dryness and Achsah asks her father for water. Caleb gives her springs known as the upper and lower springs (Joshua 15:19). She stepped out on faith and claimed additional blessing for her family because she was bold enough to ask for more. Just like our heavenly Father is ready and willing to bless us, we must also go to Him with this same faith.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

Mary, mother of Jesus, is one of the most admired figures in Scripture and considered by many to be the greatest of all Christian saints. She was a willing servant who trusted God and obeyed His call. While her life held great honor, her calling also required great suffering. Though there was joy in motherhood, there was great pain in the privilege of being the mother of the Messiah. Despite these things, she responded to God with great obedience and submission to His plan. Her life never robbed Jesus of His glory, for her mission was to witness the glory of the Son of God. She surrendered her life and her reputation to the purposes of God. Her submission shows us that when we consecrate our life to the Lord, He can do amazing things.