There are a lot of women in the Bible who have done phenomenal things—helped kill kings, thwarted the plans of evil men, and taken care of prophets. The women in the Bible range from prophet to businesswoman, queen to prostitute, murderer to sorceress. These were not perfect women, and many were not in perfect situations, but they were part of God’s bigger story. Their names, their actions, and even their failures were not left out.
If you’ve ever read the book of Matthew, you would notice that in chapter one, there’s a list that reads like a database, almost like Ancestry.com. What makes this list so significant is that, unlike most other genealogies in the Bible, this one includes the names of women. These are women who, in different ways, played a significant role in God’s redemptive plan—plans that were set in stone from the foundations of the earth. They weren’t chosen because they were flawless. They were chosen because God works through the willing, the brave, the broken, and the faithful.
Their inclusion is no accident. It reminds us that every woman, regardless of her past, pain, or path, can be used powerfully in God’s narrative. The focus of the Bible will always be God; nothing comes close to that truth. Yet, I find the following women’s stories in His divine story to be great lessons for leading ladies to learn from.
Eve
Let’s start with Eve. Perfect life, perfect husband, amazing home, everything she needed provided for, and an intimate, face-to-face communion with God. The only perfect life ever experienced by a woman. Hers was a life we can all dream of. As the first woman on earth with everything at her disposal, she gave that all up for the deception that God didn’t mean her well and that what she had—which was given by God—wasn’t enough.
Tamar
Twice widowed after being married to evil men, she was put aside and left to be forgotten. Using her wits, she devised a plan to get what was owed to her. During this time in history, women were generally dependent on male relatives for provision and protection. Marriage was necessary for obtaining a woman’s place in society, as it provided access to resources, social standing, and security.
Rahab
A prostitute in a pagan country destined to be destroyed by God. Typically, a woman of the night is not expected to be anything much in life. Who knows her background, but whatever it was, it may not have been roses—as here she was, plying her trade with her body. I am sure no one expected any bright future for her, but she outwitted military men, protected spies, and brokered protection for herself and her family, saving them from death.
There is also mention of Bathsheba, taken by a king in his lust and widowed by this same king because he failed to accept responsibility; and Ruth, an outsider who was kind and industrious, both of whom were part of the line that led to Jesus.
Then we land at Mary. In her prime, young, and planning her wedding, she gets an interruption in her life plans. She accepts this watershed moment in her life with grace and trust, launching into a life she couldn’t have scripted.
Different women. Different life experiences. All part of the foundation of the Christian faith.
Three Lessons We Can Learn from These Women
Perfect Circumstances Do Not Equal Success
Eve had everything at her disposal, yet she failed to keep first things first—faith in God. Wherever you are in your journey of becoming, keep God first. Don’t run ahead of Him, and don’t get distracted by what you don’t have. Never make decisions based on the deception that you need more than what God has already given.
The Hard Part Does Not Hinder
We all have different life stories. They affect our mental development, emotional capacity, and even our life paths—but they don’t disqualify us. What you’ve been through doesn’t mean you’re not capable. You’re not less valuable because of where you come from or what’s happened to you.
Be Open to God’s Upheaval
One of the most famous Christmas carols sung yearly is titled “Mary, Did You Know?” And honestly—she didn’t. She didn’t know the full extent of what her “yes” meant, but she still said it. Be open and accepting of God’s interruptions and sudden turns. His plans are always for His glory, and being a part of that is both a privilege and your reasonable service.
These women remind us that it’s not perfection God is after—it’s participation. Their names in Matthew’s genealogy are proof that your story, no matter how complicated, can still be used in the bigger picture. Whether you’re starting out like Eve, fighting for your future like Tamar, coming from a rough past like Rahab, or stepping out in faith like Mary—there is room for your life to be part of something eternal.