The Bible is full of stories and teachings about women who were wise, strong, and faithful. These women followed God's will and used their gifts and talents to serve Him and others. They are examples for us today of what it means to be a wise woman according to the Bible.
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is not just having knowledge or intelligence. Wisdom is the ability to apply God's truth to our lives and make good decisions that honor Him. Wisdom comes from God, who is the source of all wisdom (Proverbs 2:6). We can ask God for wisdom, and He will give it to us generously (James 1:5). We can also learn wisdom from His Word, which is able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
What are the characteristics of a wise woman?
The Bible describes many characteristics of a wise woman, but here are some of the most important ones:
- A wise woman fears the Lord. This means she respects and honors God as her Creator, Savior, and Lord. She loves Him with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. She trusts Him and obeys His commands. She seeks His will and His glory in everything she does (Proverbs 31:30; Psalm 111:10).
- A wise woman builds her house. This means she cares for her family and her household. She is diligent, industrious, and resourceful. She provides for the needs of her loved ones and manages her affairs well. She is not lazy or wasteful, but works with her hands and makes good use of what God has given her (Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 31:10-31).
- A wise woman speaks with wisdom and kindness. This means she uses her words to edify, encourage, and instruct others. She does not gossip, slander, or lie. She does not quarrel or nag, but speaks the truth in love. She is gentle, gracious, and respectful. She knows when to speak and when to be silent (Proverbs 31:26; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 10:19).
- A wise woman is a blessing to others. This means she serves God by serving others. She is generous, hospitable, and compassionate. She helps the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and the afflicted. She shares the gospel and makes disciples. She mentors younger women and teaches them how to live godly lives (Proverbs 31:20; Titus 2:3-5; Matthew 28:19-20).
Who are some wise women in the Bible?
The Bible mentions many women who were wise in different ways. Here are some of them:
- Jochebed was a wise mother who saved her son Moses from Pharaoh's decree to kill all the Hebrew baby boys. She trusted God and hid Moses in a basket by the Nile river, where he was found by Pharaoh's daughter and adopted by her (Exodus 2:1-10).
- Esther was a wise queen who risked her life to save her people from Haman's plot to destroy them. She prayed and fasted for three days before approaching King Xerxes without being summoned. She invited him and Haman to two banquets, where she revealed Haman's evil scheme and pleaded for her people's lives (Esther 4-7).
- Ruth was a wise widow who remained loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi after both their husbands died. She left her homeland of Moab and followed Naomi to Bethlehem, where she worked as a gleaner in Boaz's field. She obeyed Naomi's instructions and proposed marriage to Boaz, who was her kinsman-redeemer. She became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ (Ruth 1-4).
- Abigail was a wise wife who prevented a bloodshed between her foolish husband Nabal and David's men. She heard that Nabal had insulted David and refused to give him any food or water after he had protected his sheep from harm. She quickly gathered provisions and met David on his way to take revenge on Nabal. She apologized for Nabal's offense and persuaded David to spare him and his household (1 Samuel 25).
- Deborah was a wise judge who led Israel to victory over their enemies. She was a prophetess who heard from God and gave His messages to His people. She summoned Barak to lead an army against Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, who had oppressed Israel for twenty years. She accompanied Barak to Mount Tabor, where God gave them a decisive victory over Sisera's chariots and troops (Judges 4-5).
- Mary was a wise virgin who became the mother of Jesus Christ. She was a humble and obedient servant of God who accepted His will for her life. She conceived Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Him in a stable in Bethlehem. She treasured all the things that happened to her and pondered them in her heart. She followed Jesus throughout His ministry, death, and resurrection (Luke 1-2; John 19:25-27).
- Mary Magdalene was a wise disciple who followed Jesus and supported His ministry. She was delivered from seven demons by Jesus and became one of His most faithful followers. She was the last person to leave the cross and the first person to see the empty tomb. She was the first person to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection and the first person to proclaim the good news to the other disciples (Luke 8:1-3; John 20:1-18).
How can we become wise women today?
We can become wise women today by following the examples of these women in the Bible and by applying their principles to our lives. We can also:
- Pray for wisdom every day and ask God to guide us in His ways (James 1:5; Psalm 25:4-5).
- Read and study God's Word regularly and meditate on its truths (Psalm 119:97-100; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Seek godly counsel from other wise women who can teach you, correct you, and encourage you (Proverbs 12:15; Titus 2:3-5).
- Learn from your mistakes and repent when you sin (Proverbs 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
- Be humble and willing to learn from others, especially from God (Proverbs 11:2; James 4:6).
Being a wise woman is not easy, but it is rewarding. It brings honor to God, blessing to yourselves, and benefit to others.Strive to be wise women who fear the Lord and do His will.
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