She was able to confront her past truthfully and transform into a motivating mouthpiece for the Lord. The woman at the well became one of the first mass evangelists for Jesus Christ. And imagine how stunned this woman was that the Messiah was trying to reach out to her and offer her living water for her thirst soul. The rabbinic oral law was explicit: “He who talks with a woman brings evil upon himself.” Another rabbinic teaching prominent in Jesus’ day taught, ‘One is not so much as to greet a woman.” From this, we can understand why His disciples were amazed to find Him talking to a woman in public. One great example is Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman, in public referenced in John 4. Jesus’ treatment of women was very different. Synagogue worship was segregated, with women never allowed to be heard. The oral law prohibited women from reading the Torah out loud. For example, Jewish women were barred from public speaking. The value of women that permeates the New Testament isn’t found in the cultures of some societies. This can be seen throughout the New Testament. Jesus loved women and treated them with great respect and dignity. She believed God for a son and He multiplied her faith by giving her many children. Hannah's fervent prayer and vow teaches us that consistent faithfulness and persistent prayer get God's attention. One of the most inspiring things about Hannah is the fact that she never gave up hope that God would hear her prayer. Her son later grew up to be one of the most influential and Godly figures in the Bible. She dedicated her baby Samuel to the Lord and left him at the temple to serve God “all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). She is also recognized in the Bible for her sacrifice. She left her son to be raised in the Temple, while still staying connected to him, providing counsel and wisdom to him throughout his life. She received a son, named him Samuel and didn’t fall short on her promise. She prayed to God that she would be granted a son and in turn, promised to dedicate his life to the service of God. She wanted a child so badly but was barren. Hannah is one of the most inspiring women in the Bible and also one of the most identifiable women in Scripture for a number of reasons. By turning from her idolatrous way of life she was able to be used mightily of the Lord as the great grandmother of King David. Ruth was able to overcome her past by giving her life over to the living God. Her bravery, faith and obedience can encourage us to be better followers of Christ. She had the faith to believe that God was who He said He was and faith to believe that God would provide for her and Naomi. Ruth showed remarkable faith for such a young believer. The pain Ruth must have been in was immense but she didn’t allow her past to hold her back. She also lost her husband without a child, some believing she may have been barren. On top of that, she had lost her husband and was living with her widowed mother-in-law. At the beginning of the book, Ruth is living in her home in Moab a place and people that the Israelites frowned upon. Yet, God moves so mightily in her story and uses it to encourage millions. She’s a widow from an enemy nation with no prospects. Ruth’s story captivates and significantly challenges many.
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