Profiles

This is a list of some of the women we will be discussing throughout our Proverbs 31 study. I will add more as we go deeper into the lessons.

Rahab: Found in Joshua 2, 6; Hebrews 11; and James 2. Her name means "tenacious". She trusted in Israel's God and found personal deliverance when Jericho fell. She made a choice and she demonstrates that we don't have to be perfect for God to use us in significant ways. Rahab reminds us that God extends his grace to us, and we should pass it on to others.

Deborah: Found in Judges 4. Her name means "honeybee". Deborah led Israel as a prophetess and judge. In her time, prophets were chosen by God to communicate His will to His people. Her confidence was rooted in her close, personal relationship with God and she realized she was chosen by Him to guide His people. Deborah reminds us that God does use women for spiritual leadership. She was obedient and was blessed with spiritual discernment. She balanced many roles in her life - a wife, mother, a prophetess, and judge. She served him completely in each area.

Abigail Found in I Samuel 25. Her name means "father rejoices". Abigail prevented David from shedding the blood of God's people. She later married him. She strategized, was smart, and knew her political facts. Abigail sided with David when he was hurt, and reminded him of his own values when it came to unnecessary bloodshed. She also reminded him that killing Nabal would be a bad choice politically. Abigail provides us with a pattern for successful confrontation. She offered David advice, but in a wise way. She shows us that we should not hide our strengths in an effort to be acceptable to a man.

Eunice and Lois: Found in II Timothy 1:5. These women were the mother and grandmother of Timothy. They passed their genuine faith in God on to Timothy. They proved that teaching children about the ways of God at an early age does take root and can make a difference in their lives.

Lydia: Found in Acts 16. She was Paul's first convert in Europe. The early Philippian church met in her house. Lydia was a successful business woman and ruled her own household. She was a single woman. Her house was large enough to fit Paul's missionary team in, which emphasizes her success. She met with other women for prayer. Since she was the only one mentioned by name, most think she was leader of the group. She was a worshiper of God and was judged "faithful to the Lord" by Paul. Lydia was independent, successful, single, and a business woman. She proved that a woman could survive outside the home and didn't have to depend on a husband.

Priscilla: Found in Acts 18. She supported Paul's missionary efforts and led a house-church in Ephesus. Priscilla had a great relationship with her husband Aquila. Even though she should have been subjected to her husband, she was usually mentioned first in the Bible. They were equals. She also had a great relationship with God. She and Aquila traveled and moved their business to support Paul's missionary efforts. Priscilla proved that partnership is not made equal by bringing the man down, but by bringing the woman up. She and Aquila were the perfect example of what a relationship can be when it is centered around Christ.

Junia: Found in Romans 16:7. Paul mentioned that her and her husband Andronicus were prominent apostles. Apostle is used as a person commissioned by a particular church to go on a mission to spread the gospel. He refers to Junia as a prominent missionary evangelist. Paul had a high regard for her ministry in the church.