Women Mentors of the Bible

Leading Us Through Scripture

As an older woman, I always try to advise or lead younger women in the goodness of God’s Word. I look to the stories of the women in the Bible who have made a difference in the lives of others by being a mentor. They may not have been a big influence in Biblical times, but their stories influence who we are as the older women of our generation.

Being an older woman it can sometimes feel as though you have no purpose. In the eyes of society, those over 40 have lost the appeal of the younger generation. Over 40 seems to say that there is nothing that you can do because you are not “in sync” with the younger generation. The image that some churches want to display is that of beauty and attraction. The idea of talent and gifts seems to be a second or even third desired ability when it comes to being a church volunteer.

It is my hope that you will know that you are very much desired by God to help the younger generation. He wants you to be the Naomi to the Ruths. God has placed the ability of Esther within you for such a time as this. He can expand your territory and make you the mother of nations so to speak.

Naomi

This is one woman who knows how to mentor. She has lost her husband and sons and must return back to her home country to find a place to live as part of a family. Both of her daughters-in-law leave with her, but after much pleading, one goes back to her people. The other, Ruth, is not going to leave that easily. She has determined in her heart to follow Naomi and remain her daughter.

It seems that Naomi has impacted Ruth’s life so much that her daughter-in-law wants to remain as her family no matter where they are. Upon their return to Bethlehem, Naomi mentors Ruth in how to work for Boaz and get him to be the kinsmen redeemer for them. Ruth works the fields and is given food for her and Naomi.

When it comes time for the land of Naomi’s husband, Boaz confronts those in line and lets them know that in order to get the land, they will also take Ruth as a wife. This is where Boaz is allowed to be the redeemer of Naomi and Ruth.

Then Boaz said, “When you acquire the field from Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the wife of our deceased relative, in order to preserve his family name by raising up a descendant who will inherit his property.” Ruth 4:5, NET

All goes as planned and Boaz takes Ruth as a wife and Naomi becomes the great-great-grandmother of David.

Naomi took the child and placed him on her lap; she became his caregiver. The neighbor women named him, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. Now he became the father of Jesse – David’s father! Ruth 4:16-17, NET

Because Naomi took time to mentor Ruth they both became redeemed and were given a life that allowed them to become the lineage of David… which is the lineage of Jesus!! Talk about being in the right family… Naomi was a mentor of kinship and redemption.

Esther

Esther became queen at a time the Jews were in line to be destroyed. She became the mentor of doing what needs to be done in order to help others. After her uncle, Mordecai, mentored her, Esther learned what it was to lead her people not by force, but by following the system.

Through being a servant of the people while leading them, Esther gained the admiration of the king by just being who she was. She allowed the official overseer of the women to pamper her and asked for nothing more. Esther didn’t seek to find fancy clothes, perfumes, or other accessories. She just went before the king with the pampering of the chamberlain, Hegai.

When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her. Esther 2:15, NET

Though she didn’t mentor anyone such as Naomi, Esther became a mentor for Christian women because she showed what it was like to follow God’s will as you do the right thing to help others.

Deborah

The role of Deborah in the Bible is influential. She is one of the major judges in the Bible…and the only female judge. She was a prophetess. Deborah is a mentor in breaking free from tradition. She is an example of how to follow God as you break barriers of culture and gender. Deborah played a role in the defeat of the Canaanites. Chosen by God because of her faith, she used her gifts to lead the Israelites to victory.

Now Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She would sit under the Date Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the Ephraimite hill country. The Israelites would come up to her to have their disputes settled. Judges 4:4-5, NET

At a time when Israel was captive in Canaan, Deborah walked in obedience as a leader. She held her court under a tree near Bethel, where she listened diligently. Deborah encouraged those that God had placed in leadership positions and encouraged them to do as God instructed. She spoke the truth and trusted God. Remaining confident in God and staying humble because of her faith, Deborah displays many characteristics of a mentor.

When Barak was uncertain…Deborah stood firm on the words that God has spoke!

She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. She said to him, “Is it not true that the Lord God of Israel is commanding you? Go, march to Mount Tabor! Take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun! I will bring Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to you at the Kishon River, along with his chariots and huge army. I will hand him over to you.” Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go. But if you do not go with me, I will not go.” She said, “I will indeed go with you. But you will not gain fame on the expedition you are undertaking, for the Lord will turn Sisera over to a woman.” Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.Judges 4:6-9, NET

As we seek to mentor the younger generation we must seek the mentors of God’s word. These are just a few of the women who can mentor us from scripture. These women show us what faith is when we trust in God before anyone else… including ourselves.

Mary, Martha, Elizabeth, Miriam, Rahab, and Sarah are a few more women of scripture that we can turn to as we take on the role of a Titus 2 woman.

Take time to know what it means to mentor in today’s society. The women of scripture are ready to share their stories with you.

Here are a few books that can help you with your study of women mentors of God’s word.

The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today by Shannon Ream

Women of the Bible Old Testament: Bible Study (Rose Visual Bible Studies)

Women of the Bible New Testament: Bible Study (Rose Visual Bible Studies

Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You by John F. MacArthur

Happy studying my Friend!!!