Women of Influence: Celebrating 7 Biblical Examples of Female Leadership

Women have never been spectators. Wearing many identities across time: mother, wife, daughter, mentor, leader, warrior, teacher, counselor, spiritual guide, strategist and advocate, they are relentlessly revolutionizing the norms-that-be, even in the face of raging odds. Rising from being a breed merely known for being formed from the rib, women have made the pages of history in the most notable ways with even the Bible, the world’s most prominent book bearing record.

As we celebrate women on this day set aside to remind them of everything ethereal they represent, we will like to introduce you to seven exceptional women of influence in the Bible who are models of excellent leadership:

•    Deborah

She was Israel’s first female judge and prophetess who remains a blueprint for the unequivocal words of Philippians 4:13. The story of Deborah exposes us to a woman anointed, assigned and authorized by God to function effortlessly in different pivotal capacities, challenging societal status quo. The ‘wife of Lappidoth’ combined providing spiritual guidance and keeping the peace in Israel with leading her people into a strategic battle against their mighty oppressor, King Jabin of Canaan without breaking a sweat.

Heavily guarded with divine military strategies and courage, Deborah stood up against the 20-year long ruthless grip of Sisera, a savage commander with nine hundred chariots of iron. Igniting hope in a period of damning fear and helplessness, she summoned and encouraged Barak, a mighty warrior, and with her by his side, Barak and his ten thousand warriors fought and triumphed, leading to Israel’s victory over her adversary. Beyond fighting for Israel, Deborah reminded them of the power of God, particularly in the face of seeming defeat. Her song of triumph, recorded in Judges 5 is a clear testament to this.

•          Esther

While Esther’s story will always remain a signature grass to grace story, her journey, bravery and faith will never go unnoticed in the halls of history. The story of Esther, born Hadassah introduces us to a small town girl and orphan from Persia whom grace finds and lifts through the ranks of power to a queen. This Persian girl went on to make herself an available tool in the hands of God, delivering her people from genocide.

Following an alert about a plan to wipe out the Jews, Esther used her influence as queen to intercede for her people. Her simple yet sincere words: “If I perish, I perish” in Esther 4:16 became a charge for advocacy for her people and ultimately a death sentence for her enemies.

Esther's stance against Haman was one against tyranny and abuse of power: Haman who was one of the king’s most trusted advisors wanted an entire population snuffed out of existence because Mordecai, a devoted Jew and Esther’s uncle in alignment with his firm religious beliefs refused to bow down to him.

• .     Mary Magdalene

A disciple, a believer, a witness and a redeemed. The soothing tale of a woman who encountered God and found a higher purpose in an age where women were defined by rigid social constructs will eternally remain a favourite. 

From being oppressed by the powers of the devil, to being delivered of seven demons according to the accounts of Luke 8:1-3, Mary Magdalene’s story takes an amazing trajectory with her name becoming stamped in history as the first person to see Jesus upon his resurrection. Out of extreme devotion to Jesus's ministry and fearless leadership instincts, she took it upon herself to spread the news of his resurrection to the apostles in the heat of fear and panic caused by his death. While others would have typically hidden in fear of what the Jewish leaders could do to the followers of Christ, Mary Magdalene did not blink an eyelid.

She stayed on course with Jesus and his ministry till the very end, giving her life, time and risking everything in a stance against stereotypes.

• Miriam

A sister who made a difference in a perilous and desperate time. Her story is one of a woman who courageously helped preserve and save the life of her baby brother, Moses who later became Israel’s great liberator. When Pharaoh out of tyrannical spite for the growing population of the Israelites ordered for the mass killing of all Hebrew infant boys, Miriam teamed up with her mother, Jochebed to save Moses’ life.

After their mother in a last resolve to save Moses  put him in a basket and set him to sail on the River Nile, she took up an initiative synonymous to a suicide mission to watch over him, leading him to the doorstep of his destiny. She took an even bigger risk by recommending their mother as a nanny for Moses when Pharaoh's daughter found him at the River Nile.

As it was clear she was meant for great things, it did not come as a surprise when she became a prophetess in Israel and a tremendous part of Moses’ purpose. She is credited for creating the template of what we now call women's fellowships as her remarkable move to rally women together in celebration of crossing the infamous Red sea led to the rise of something powerful. She created a formidable force of women with a sense of belonging and purpose.

• Abigail

A highly intelligent and wise strategist who taught the invaluable lesson not all wars are fought with brawl, swords and soldiers. She revised the handbook of war and the art of combat with a singular act of leadership.

The Bible brings us in contact with a woman, wife and matriarch in 1 Samuel 25 who saves her family from annihilation with exemplary wisdom. After her husband, Nabah’s reckless act of insulting David and his men after rejecting to offer them food and shelter puts her family in jeopardy and in a place of war with David, she acts in wisdom. She took food and water and set out to meet David, apologizing for her husband, taking responsibility for his actions. Her actions went beyond leaving David impressed to sparing her entire household from potential bloodshed and massacre. History also records this act also earned her the title and place of a queen in David’s reign as king.

She remains a proof of the need to apply immeasurable wisdom in one’s daily dealings.

• Lydia

An established entrepreneur who became a light leading many to the knowledge of God. Already accomplished in her field as a fashion merchant who loved God, her acceptance of the paradigm shifting message of Jesus is still celebrated as a ground breaking moment in the Christian movement. Lydia made history as the first European convert to Christianity after hearing Paul's preaching by a river in Philippi.

Unable to keep this new found treasure to herself, she made it a point of duty to lead her household to the light of Jesus, leading to a mass baptism of new saints and a win against the enemy of light. Lydia was a living, walking and breathing testament of the ability of women to excel in their chosen fields and influence generations.

•  Huldah

A prophetess and a reformist who contributed to the significant shift in the religious landscape of Judah. 2 Kings 22:14–20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22–28 brings us face to face with an anointed woman of God in a chapter of history when men dominated religious discussions.  In the urgent need for a spiritual reform in Judah, Huldah was distinctively used by God to find and interpret an old scroll of law: a catalyst of the refined religious move in Judah.

Considered a rare occurrence for a woman in a kingdom and space teeming with male prophets, King Josiah entrusted his mission to bring spiritual revival to Judah to Huldah.

Conclusion

To our trailblazing mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, as we celebrate you today on this special occasion, the International Women’s day, we charge you to make that influence: we dare you to be bold with that move and idea God has laid in your hearts. Whether in your office, home or church: lead! influence! model!