Today we will be hearing about three more of the Bible Women We Love the Most: Esther, Huldah and Jochebed.
So far in this series we have looked at favourites Mary of Nazareth, Naomi and Rachel, then Noadiah, Abigail and the Daughters of Zelophehad and, in Part 3, Ruth, Deborah and Jael.
Esther, Huldah, and Jochebed are three more remarkable biblical women with unique stories and significance to us.
ESTHER
Heidi R chose Esther, “Not because she was young and beautiful, but because of her love for her uncle Mordecai and her courage. And her cleverness, when you see how she defeated her people’s enemy, Haman. She was a great example of a nobody whom God made into a somebody to fulfill His purpose.
Lynne P’s pick was Esther: “She is brave yet humble and true. Loyal to her people and her uncle. When it came time to stand up, she did so, though it nearly cost her her life. She defeated Haman in a clever way.”
Esther sent back to Mordecai the response: “Go and assemble all the Jews who are in Susa; fast on my behalf, all of you, not eating or drinking night or day for three days. I and my maids will also fast in the same way. Thus prepared, I will go to the king, contrary to the law. If I perish, I perish!”
Esther 4:15-16
- Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai, is surely one of the most famous women in the Bible due to her bravery and intelligence.
- Her story is in the Book of Esther, which highlights her rise to Queen of Persia and her pivotal role in saving the Jewish people from a genocide plotted by Persian official, Haman.
- She dared to approach the Persian king, Ahasuerus, without being summoned—a potentially life-threatening act. She risked her life to plead for her people but she did this surreptitiously, by inviting him to a ‘party’ in her chamber.
- Esther’s story demonstrates the power of faith, bravery, and strategic thinking in overcoming adversity. Her actions are celebrated wholeheartedly during the Jewish festival of Purim, (coming up this weekend 24/25 March, 2024). It’s a fun festival that underscores the enduring significance of her story.
HULDAH
Next is Huldah. Henrietta picked her because, “unflinching, she spoke the unpleasant truth when the truth had to be said.”
Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.
2 Chron.34:22
- Huldah was a prophetess who lived during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. Her story is recorded in 2 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 34.
- King Josiah ordered the repair of the Jerusalem Temple. As works were going on, the High Priest Hilkiah found a scroll containing the laws of Moses. Josiah, concerned about the nation’s spiritual condition, sought guidance by consulting Huldah, the prophetess .
- Huldah both confirmed the authenticity of the scroll and delivered a message from God regarding the fate of Judah. She thus played a crucial role in guiding the nation back to its religious roots.
- Huldah’s status as prophetess highlights the biblical acknowledgment of women in positions of spiritual authority and leadership. Her wisdom and insight were sought after and accepted by both royalty and religious leaders.
JOCHEBED
Next comes Jochebed. Alison says: “It’s often said that a mother’s love is the closest to God’s unconditional love for us as His sons and daughters. Jochabed exemplifies all the beauty of sacrificial love and shows that this kind of love is manifested most powerfully through personal suffering.”
Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
Exodus 2:8-10
- Jochebed, mother of Moses, is one of the most significant figures in Jewish history and a central figure in the Exodus narrative.
- She courageously defied Pharaoh’s decree to kill all Hebrew male infants and hid Moses for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a teva , (a tiny ark,) on the Nile River, entrusting his fate to God.
- Her act of faith and courage ultimately led to Moses rescue by Pharaoh’s daughter who raised him as a prince of Egypt.
- Jochebed loved her son enough to give him up. Her story illustrates the profound impact a mother’s love, faith, and ingenuity can have, even in desperate circumstances. Her actions ensured the survival of her son, who would later become one of the greatest leaders in biblical history, freeing the Israelite slaves and leading them to freedom in the Promised Land of Israel.
The stories of Esther, Huldah, and Jochebed are stories of bravery, faith, and resilience. Their actions continue to inspire and serve as examples of courage and devotion in the face of adversity to us all.
That’s it for today’s look at The Bible Women We Love the Most. Next time: Achsah, daughter of Caleb, and Sarah.
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Three very different stories yet God saw fit to include them in the Tanach. I believe they tell us that as long as we follow the Lord’s guidance if He asks us to do something for the good of our people, whoever they are, that He will honour us. We shall not see our names in the Bible but our actions will be recorded in heaven.
Thanks for sharing the stories of these women Bobbie.
Esther
I am loving this series, Esther. We just had Yeshua Group and were looking at the stories of Elizabeth and Zechariah and then Gabriel’s annunciation to Mary and finally her song. It was very moving.
Hilda’s was one woman I was not so familiar with. Loving to learn more about the women.
Love the courage of Jochbed to stand and save her baby in spite of the decree by Pharaoh.
Of course Esther goes without saying as one of the bravest and smart women. May we all be called for such a time and respond as she did.
I’m so enjoying this series. Thanks for doing it, Bobbie.
Blessings
Linda
Oh that darn spell correct. First comment is about Huldah ☹️
You are right, Linda. All three are to be lauded for their extreme courage and determination, exercised with subtlety. God bless.
I did not know about Huldah, the prophetess. ‘She guides the nation back to it’s religious roots…’
How marvellous 🙏🏻👏🏻
Thank you for sharing about these wonderful women, Bobbie!
I am loving learning about them as I prepare to write about them, too, Rebecca. God bless.
This series is indeed very inspiring. If these women could do these things in their time before Yeshua came imagine what we can do today. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” The Lord has freed us from the shackles that women had in the past. We have the precious Holy Spirit too to lead us, so now all we have to do is seek the LORD and do what He tells us to do!
I think Phoebe, who I just wrote about on the More Than Writers Blog, was a Greek woman with her own means and entourage, as well as an officer of the church and a courageous one to take Paul’s letter to the Roman church: https://morethanwriters.blogspot.com/2024/04/phoebe-on-road-to-rome.html
Thank you so much for all the interesting segments of the women of the Bible Amazing and strong back in those days they had to be we need to be like them today. Looking forward to the next chapters of scripture. Blessings Bobbie
Thank you for your encouragement and for your blessings, Coleen. God bless you likewise.
I am so enjoying reading this blog.
As someone who has just begun to read the bible on a regular basis within the past few years, your blog has helped bring life to the names of people in the stories that I might otherwise would have glossed over, regarding them as insignificant. I find it exciting to read your blog, then go to the bible and read the story again with fresh eyes. I love this about your writing!
There could be no greater compliment, Melissa, than that my writing encourages you to read your Bible! There are so many exciting Bible women who often stand in the shadows behind their men, or behind biblical men in general. I am really enjoying this series of sharing some of their stories. If that encourages my readers to explore more, then I am delighted.