Bible – The Bible Society of Lesotho

As we celebrate Women’s Month, it is an opportune time to reflect on the significant roles women have played throughout biblical history. The Bible is full of stories of women who exhibited immense faith, strength, wisdom, and leadership. These narratives not only highlight the contributions of women in biblical times but also inspire and empower women today to embrace their God-given potential.

Esther, the Queen who Saved a Nation
The story of Esther is a testament to bravery and divine providence. As a Jewish queen in Persia, she risked her life to save her people from destruction. Her famous declaration, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16), exemplifies her selfless courage and determination.

Deborah, the Prophetess and Judge
Deborah stands out as a remarkable leader in a male-dominated society. As a prophetess and judge, she led Israel to victory against the Canaanite oppression (Judges 4-5). Her wisdom and leadership were pivotal in the deliverance of her people.

Ruth, the Loyal Daughter-in-Law
Ruth’s story is one of loyalty, love, and redemption. Despite being a Moabite, her unwavering devotion to her mother-in-law Naomi and her faith in the God of Israel earned her a place in the lineage of King David and Jesus (Ruth 1-4). Her life exemplifies the virtues of kindness and fidelity.

Abigail, the Wise Counselor
Abigail’s quick thinking and wisdom prevented David from committing unnecessary bloodshed (1 Samuel 25). Her intervention not only saved her household but also demonstrated the power of wise counsel and peacemaking.

Priscilla, the Early Church Teacher
In the New Testament, Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, played a crucial role in the early church. She is noted for her knowledge of the Scriptures and her ability to teach others, including the eloquent Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). Priscilla’s story underscores the importance of women in ministry and education.

Sarah, the Matriarch of Nations

Sarah, wife of Abraham, is celebrated for her unwavering faith. Despite her old age and initial doubt, she believed in God’s promise and became the mother of Isaac, through whom the nation of Israel was established. (Genesis 17:15-16)

Miriam, the Prophetess

Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, played a crucial role during the Exodus. She led the women of Israel in song and dance after crossing the Red Sea, exemplifying leadership and the power of worship. (Exodus 15:20-21)

Conclusion

As we honor African Women’s Month, let us celebrate the incredible contributions of biblical women who have paved the way for future generations. Their stories are not just historical accounts but enduring lessons of faith, courage, wisdom, and leadership. By reflecting on their lives, we can find inspiration and empowerment to live out our own unique callings with confidence and grace. By drawing on these biblical examples, we can appreciate the profound impact women have had throughout history and continue to have today. Happy African Women’s Month!

The Song of Moses

1 Moses and the Israelites sang this song in praise of the Lord:

I sing praises to the Lord

for his great victory!

He has thrown the horses

and their riders

into the sea.

2 The Lord is my strength,

the reason for my song,

because he has saved me.

I praise and honor the Lord—

he is my God and the God

of my ancestors.

3 The Lord is his name,

and he is a warrior!

4 He threw the chariots and army

of Egypt's king

into the Red Sea,

and he drowned the best

of the king's officers.

5 They sank to the bottom

just like stones.

6 With the tremendous force

of your right arm, our Lord,

you crushed your enemies.

7 What a great victory was yours,

when you defeated everyone

who opposed you.

Your fiery anger wiped them out,

as though they were straw.

8 You were so furious

that the sea piled up

like a wall,

and the ocean depths

curdled like cheese.

9 Your enemies boasted

that they would

pursue and capture us,

divide up our possessions,

treat us as they wished,

then take out their swords

and kill us right there.

10 But when you got furious,

they sank like lead,

swallowed by ocean waves.

11 Our Lord, no other gods

compare with you—

Majestic and holy!

Fearsome and glorious!

Miracle worker!

12 When you signaled

with your right hand,

your enemies were swallowed

deep into the earth.

13 The people you rescued

were led by your powerful love

to your holy place.

14 Nations learned of this

and trembled—

Philistines shook with horror.

15 The leaders of Edom and of Moab

were terrified.

Everyone in Canaan fainted,

16 struck down by fear.

Our Lord, your powerful arm

kept them still as a rock

until the people you rescued

to be your very own

had marched by.

17 You will let your people settle

on your own mountain,

where you chose to live

and to be worshiped.

18 Our Lord, you will rule forever!

The Song of Miriam

19 The Lord covered the royal Egyptian cavalry and chariots with the sea, after the Israelites had walked safely through on dry ground. 20 Miriam the sister of Aaron was a prophet. So she took her tambourine and led the other women out to play their tambourines and to dance. 21 Then she sang to them:

“Sing praises to the Lord

for his great victory!

He has thrown the horses

and their riders into the sea.”

Bitter Water at Marah

22 After the Israelites left the Red Sea, Moses led them through the Shur Desert for three days, before finding water. 23 They did find water at Marah, but it was bitter, which is how that place got its name. 24 The people complained and said, “Moses, what are we going to drink?”

25 Moses asked the Lord for help, and the Lord told him to throw a certain piece of wood into the water. Moses did so, and the water became fit to drink.

At Marah the Lord tested his people and also gave them some laws and teachings. 26 Then he said, “I am the Lord your God, and I cure your diseases. If you obey me by doing right and by following my laws and teachings, I won't punish you with the diseases I sent on the Egyptians.”

27 Later the Israelites came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and 70 palm trees. So they camped there.

1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20 ¶ And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 ¶ And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

27 ¶ And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.