Women of Valor: Something Beautiful for God

by Marilynn Chadwick

There are many heroines found in the pages of the Bible. The Hebrew term used in Proverbs 31:10 for the famed “virtuous woman,” eshet chayil, can be better translated as “woman of valor” (Proverbs 31:10 JPS Tanakh 1917). I’ve come to believe women are at our best when engaged in a courageous fight for someone outside ourselves. While I love biblical heroines, I equally love stories of ordinary women who changed their world. This week and next week we will look at real life women—ordinary heroes who live out the biblical definition of being a woman of valor.

I’ve been privileged throughout my life to be influenced by many strong and courageous women. From my own mother and grandmothers to teachers and coaches, church and community leaders, and extended family members. Most of us can point to women who shaped our life somewhere along the way. They left their imprint on our character, our hopes, and our dreams. At times, they sacrificed their own dreams so we could reach ours.

Africans have a beautiful way of referring to all women as “mothers” whether they have children or not. They believe all women give life to their families and communities. Africans know that mothers can change the world. Thus, they have this saying: “To educate a girl is to educate a nation.” By their very nature, women are life-givers. Throughout history, courageous and noble women have discovered a mysterious truth: They found life when they gave their lives away—pouring themselves out in service to their families, to their communities, and to the hurting and broken of this world.

Most women I know are both nurturers and warriors. I’m reminded of my friend Jacqui, who waged a long and agonizing fight to gain custody of the daughter she lovingly fostered. Jacqui vowed, “I will not give up. After all, I’m a ‘Mama Bear’ fighting for her cub.” Or our daughter Bethany, a young mother of five who educates her children at home and juggles the busy and often unpredictable life of a pastor’s wife, along with her own writing and teaching. Most women know what I’m talking about when I speak of their fierce, fighter side. God designed women to be both nurturers and warriors.

The great evangelist D. L. Moody is said to have issued this powerful challenge to his sons from his deathbed: “If God be your partner, make your plans large.” Courageous men and women say to God, “Use me. Send me to the broken of this world!”

Mother Teresa dared to leave her comfortable and affluent life to serve the destitute in India. Her work has been celebrated the world over. Some have wondered about what were reported to be her “dark nights of the soul.” She was not a depressed woman, and those who knew her best said she would simply see those dry spells as nudges from God, telling her that it was time to go back out among the poor. She would see Jesus, once again, in the faces of those she served, and the joy of the Lord would always return.

Mother Teresa’s life of service was so compelling that the hard-boiled atheistic journalist, Malcolm Muggeridge, turned to Christ after extensive interviews with her. These interviews resulted in him writing a biography of her life, Something Beautiful for God. The apostle Paul similarly encouraged women to adorn themselves with good deeds, which would make them—like Mother Teresa—beautiful. Or as the Message paraphrases it: We should be “doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it” (1 Timothy 2:8-10 MSG).

Women of Valor: The Proverbs 31 Woman - Part Nurturer, Part Warrior

by Marilynn Chadwick

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies

Proverbs 31:10 KJV

I have come to love the biblical phrase “woman of valor.” I think you will, too, as you journey with me over the next two weeks.

Deep down, I believe most women long to be world-changers. To use their powerful influence for good and give life to those around them. The Bible presents us with many examples of women who changed their world. Some were wives and mothers. Others were prophets, judges, and leaders. Some were old and wise. Others were youthful and passionate for God. All were warriors who discovered the secret that when they gave their lives away to others, they got back far more in return.

The Hebrew term used in Proverbs 31:10, eshet chayil, is more accurately translated “woman of valor.” “A woman of valor who can find? For her price is far above rubies” (JPS Tanakh 1917). Did you know valor is actually a military term? It was used for warriors like King David and his mighty men of valor. A woman of valor is a nurturer but also a warrior. I believe God knew women would have to be warriors for their families and communities.

The concept of a woman of valor is quite common among Jews, even today. A long-standing custom the evening before Shabbat is for the husband to recite or even sing what is actually an acrostic poem in Proverbs 31, “The Woman of Valor,” as a way to honor his wife.

Valor means showing courage in the face of danger. So naturally, it requires a measure of mental toughness.  But the Proverbs 31 woman also had to be physically strong: She “works with eager hands…gets up while it is still night; provides food for her family…plants a vineyard” and “sets about her work vigorously” (Proverbs 31:13, 14 NIV). Her arms are described as “strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31:17).

I have to smile when I think about her “strong arms” because it reminds me of my friend Beth. We’ve both loved being mothers and now grandmothers. But we agree—when raising our own children, we were used to the constant physical demands that come with lifting, dressing, and bathing little ones. Our arms grew strong. But lifting grandchildren is a little harder.

So, Beth started doing 100 pushups a day. “I want to be able to lift all those grandbabies,” she laughed. She does her first set during her normal exercise time—then she drops to the floor for a few more throughout the day. “It’s amazing how they add up,” she said. Beth—and her 100 daily pushups—give us a good mental picture of what it looks like to make our arms strong.

The Amplified Bible describes the Proverbs 31 woman’s strength in more detail: “She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong” (Proverbs 31:17 AMP).

Why not begin now to reflect on how you can strengthen yourself—spiritually, mentally, and physically. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even want to try Beth’s 100 pushups challenge!

Women of Valor: Pharaoh’s Daughter, The Unlikely Vessel Who Saved Israel

by David Chadwick

Pharaoh's daughter is the last woman of valor we are going to look at this week. You can find her story in Exodus 2:5.

An unnamed Egyptian princess was used by God to save the nation of Israel by saving Moses. After the nursing time from Jochebed that you learned about earlier this week, Pharaoh’s daughter was the one who raised Moses in Pharaoh's court.

Apparently, Moses’s name was given to him by Pharaoh's daughter. I find that so interesting! Moses is an Egyptian name that means “out of the water.” Scripture is full of treasures and whispers of God’s intricate plan. Sometimes, we have to look to see all of the incredibly brilliant connections of our Creator! For instance, I see so many parallels to Moses coming out of the water of the Nile River and the Red Sea to save a nation. And Jesus coming out of the water from his baptism to inaugurate his earthly mission and begin the kingdom of God here on earth, and eventually to save the world! Jesus was the better Moses, but Moses gave us a glimpse of what was to come!

Being raised in Pharaoh’s court for 40 years was a part of God’s plan as well. Think about Moses learning about the sun, moon, and the stars. Their movement. Their ability to guide long journeys (like 40 years in the wilderness). Surely Moses learned leadership, oversight, and many other necessary lessons that would end up helping him later on lead God’s people to the Promised Land.

Without Pharaoh's daughter, we would have never had Moses. The man he became was an intricate part of God’s plan. God used her in his story even though she was not a follower of the one true God of the Hebrews. Yet, without her, the story of Moses doesn’t exist!

God is able to use anything and everything to accomplish his purposes. Remember Romans 8:28. God works ALL things together for good. For his providence. For his glory. For our good. Moses is one of those stories! He was needed to lead God’s people to a Promised Land where the Savior of the world, Jesus, would be born. And Pharaoh’s daughter was essential to this part of God’s story becoming a reality!

This week, we have learned about five women of valor, used by God for his glory! May all people, especially women, follow these examples in becoming people of great faith, courage, deep trust in God, and a heart to do whatever it takes to advance the kingdom of God!