3 Women in the Bible with Outstanding Examples

We can learn and grow from the figures recorded in the Bible. Every March 8, we celebrate Women’s Day or International Women’s Day. On this occasion, we will learn from the women in the Bible. However, that does not mean this article is suitable only for women alone. For those of you who want to keep growing through God’s word, there is much to be learned from their example . 

These three women can become our examples in faith and action. Of course, the other women recorded in the Bible are no less remarkable, but for now we will focus on these three figures:

Mary - Still Prioritizing God in Her Life

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and kept listening to His word, while Martha was very busy serving. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me." 

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

– Luke 10:39-42

As women, we have countless activities that seem never-ending. Not infrequently, like Martha, we are overwhelmed by busyness, whether it is officework, housework, personal business, college assignments, ministry activities, and so on. As much as possible, we want everything to look perfect, neat, and beautiful to the eye. 

If you are a housewife who already has children, your days are certainly far busier than when you were still single. The activities of taking care of the household, the children, your husband, cooking, and cleaning can become a priority in life. You strive to give your best for your family and want everything to go according to expectations. 

As a result, you forget the most important thing, namely to give our time and attention to God’s word. Yet God only wants us to sit quietly, listening to Him speak through His word. In fact, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the most important thing, which could not be taken from her: the truth of God’s word.

At this moment, whom are you more like: Mary or Martha? It is not that women may not work or do many activities. However, do we still remember our most important priority , which is to make time for God? Or do we let other things consume our lives, so much so that we no longer have time to reflect on the word? Let us set the right priorities according to God’s will.

Abigail – Wise

Abigail was the wife of Nabal, a wealthy businessman who was not wise. To understand the background of this point, it would be good for you to first read the story of David, Abigail, and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25.

When David asked Nabal to provide food and drink for his men (1 Samuel 25:3-8), Nabal refused and even harshly insulted David’s messengers (1 Samuel 25:10-11). Even though David’s followers had been very good to Nabal’s servants (1 Samuel 25: 14-16). 

Nabal’s arrogant attitude made David furious, so he and four hundred of his followers set out to kill Nabal and every male living in his house. When Abigail learned of this conflict between David and Nabal, she immediately acted quickly and courageously to calm the situation. 

Then Abigail quickly took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five prepared sheep, five measures of roasted grain, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys. Then she said to her servants, “Go on ahead of me; I will follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal. – 1 Samuel 25:18-19 

Abigail did not delay, but immediately took action. With her wisdom, she did what she had to do: arrange a strategy and bring what David needed. The step Abigail took succeeded in saving her life and the lives of Nabal’s servants from David’s wrath.

When meeting David, Abigail also showed an attitude of respect and humility. She expressed her purpose with carefully chosen words. This shows that Abigail was a mature and wise. 

person. If you were in Abigail’s position, what would you do? Stay silent in fear? Panic? Or would you take a courageous step, even knowing the risk, and seek the best solution for everyone involved?

There are times when we need to make difficult decisions or take difficult actions that require wisdom and quick thinking. When this happens, we need to follow Abigail’s example. If you need more wisdom , ask the Lord, who will give it to you abundantly. 

Ruth – Keep Fighting & Never Give Up 

Then Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean heads of barley behind someone who will show me favor.” And Naomi said to her, “Go, my daughter.” – Ruth 2:2

After her husband and her two sons died in Moab, Naomi decided to return to her hometown in Bethlehem. Ruth, one of her daughters-in-law, chose to go with her. 

Imagine yourself as Ruth. You have just lost your husband and must move to a city with a foreign culture, together with an elderly mother-in-law who is grieving just as you are. Would you mourn your fate? Or would you choose to rise up and begin a new life, somehow? 

Instead of being swept away in grief, Ruth took the initiative to be independent and self-reliant. As soon as she arrived in Bethlehem, she went straight to work gathering barley. This was not an honorable kind of work; Ruth needed the compassion of the harvesters who allowed her to pick up the barley that fell behind them. Yet she was willing to do it because she was responsible for her life and her mother-in-law’s life. Ruth had the principle that life must go on.

There were many reasons for Ruth to become bitter and miserable because of the tragedy that had struck her extended family. Yet she chose to keep moving forward rather than weeping over things that could never return. 

When our lives are struck by struggles and problems, we have two choices: to collapse or to fight on. We may become carried away by our feelings, continually gloomy, feeling sorry for ourselves, regretting life, and even experience bitterness toward God. However, we can also be like Ruth, who did not see herself as the most unfortunate person in the world, but chose to rise up and keep fighting. 

No wonder, in the end Ruth married Boaz, the owner of the barley field, and became an ancestor of David and Jesus. Believe that when you keep fighting, God will see every one of your labors.

These 3 remarkable women teach timeless values to us, modern women. Mary prioritized time and attention to listen to God’s word. Abigail was wise, acted quickly, and was courageous. Ruth was strong, diligent, and never gave up. May these examples inspire us to become even better. Amen!

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