The women in the Bible are anything but monotone. The Bible doesn’t present a story of how people should act; it stitches together a narrative of how real people have related to each other and to God across a long, complex history. This history is not whitewashed. It’s full of violence, adultery, romance and desire. Through all of this, we read about the lives of women and how they encountered the nitty gritty details of life. While religious teaching often does not focus on the women in scripture (since the main players are often thought of as being men) women’s experiences in the Bible give a valuable perspective for understanding our relationship with God.
Many of the stories of women in the Bible, from Eve to Esther to Deborah to Mary, have been crucial turning points in the story of salvation. If it weren’t for Rahab or Ruth, we wouldn’t have made it to Jesus, who descended from their line. Some women accept unbelievable promises and live in faith of their fulfillment. Others persist despite being mistreated by oppressive powers. Considering which Biblical woman is most similar to yourself can give you a framework to think about how you relate to God and to others. Take this test to see where you fit in in this great story!