As we celebrate Women’s Month, we honor the courage, faith, and resilience of women who shaped biblical history. Among these remarkable figures are Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, the daughters of Zelophehad. Their boldness in claiming their inheritance set a precedent for justice and equality, proving that God values the voices of women.
A Bold Stand for Justice
During the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land, inheritance was typically passed from father to son. However, Zelophehad had no sons—only daughters. These five women refused to be left without a heritage and took their case to Moses and the leaders.
“They came forward and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting and said, ‘Our father died in the wilderness… Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.’” (Numbers 27:2-4, NIV)
These sisters stepped into a space where women traditionally had no say. Their courage teaches us that when something isn’t right, we shouldn’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.
God’s Approval of Women’s Voices
Moses took their case before God, and God Himself affirmed their request, showing that He values justice and fairness for all.
“So the Lord said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.’”(Numbers 27:6-7, NIV)
God listens when we speak up for what is right. He values justice and is not bound by human traditions that limit women’s roles.
Faith That Changed the Law
Because of these women’s faith and persistence, a new law was established, ensuring that if a man died without a son, his daughters could inherit his land.
“This is what the Lord commands for Zelophehad’s daughters: You must give them property as an inheritance… Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter.’”(Numbers 27:8, NIV)
Faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about taking action and trusting God to bring justice. Their courage led to a lasting legal shift, proving that faith and action bring transformation.
A Legacy of Strength and Determination
Even after the law was established, these women continued to follow God’s direction, ensuring that their inheritance remained within their tribe, as per God’s command.
“No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors.” (Numbers 36:7, NIV)
Women are not just bystanders in history, we are active participants in God’s plans. When God opens a door, we must walk through it with confidence.
Women Have a Right to Be Heard
The courage of Zelophehad’s daughters echoes the promise that God is a defender of those who seek justice. Their voices mattered, and their plea changed an entire legal system.
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3, NIV)
Advocating for justice is not just a worldly pursuit, it is a godly mission. When we stand for what is right, we align ourselves with God’s heart.
Courage Breaks Barriers
These five sisters refused to accept limitations. They believed in a God who grants justice and stepped forward, even when society didn’t favor them.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV)
Boldness in faith leads to breakthrough. When we trust in God and take courageous steps, He goes before us and makes a way.
Women Are a Vital Part of God’s Plan
Their story proves that women have a place in God’s grand design. From the beginning, He intended for both men and women to carry out His will.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NIV)
Women are equally called to fulfill God’s purposes. The daughters of Zelophehad remind us that in Christ, we all have a divine inheritance.
A Celebration of Women’s Strength
As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us be inspired by Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah, women who dared to believe in justice and changed history. Like them, we can stand boldly, speak up for what is right, and trust God to make a way.
“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (Psalm 46:5, NIV)
May their story remind us that women are not just part of history, they shape it. Let us rise with courage, faith, and determination, knowing that God values our voices and honors our faith.
Discipline. It’s a word that can sound rigid or intimidating, yet it’s the secret ingredient to achieving your goals and living a purposeful life. As we step into this new year, let’s explore how biblical wisdom can shape our understanding of discipline and help us thrive in every area of life. Here are seven powerful Bible verses that can guide you to embrace discipline and build a life worth living.
1. Hebrews 12:11
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline isn’t easy, and let’s be real, most of us would rather binge-watch our favorite shows than stick to a workout plan or study for exams. But think of discipline as planting seeds. The effort you put in now even when it feels tough will lead to a life full of peace, stability, and purpose. Start by asking yourself, What seeds am I planting today?
2. Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
Imagine a city without walls, completely vulnerable to attacks. That’s what life feels like without discipline. Self-control acts as a shield, protecting your mind, time, and energy from distractions and harmful influences. This year, rebuild those walls by setting boundaries, whether it’s limiting screen time, managing your finances, or saying “no” to toxic habits.
3. 1 Corinthians 9:25
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
Athletes don’t just show up on game day and hope for the best; they train hard every single day. Think of your goals as your personal championship. Whether it’s excelling in your career, strengthening your faith, or building relationships, discipline is the training ground that prepares you for success. What’s your eternal crown, and how are you working toward it?
4. Proverbs 12:1
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely. Learning from mistakes and being open to correction is essential for growth. When a mentor, teacher, or friend offers constructive criticism, don’t dismiss it. Instead, use it as an opportunity to refine yourself. This year, adopt a growth mindset that embraces learning, even when it’s uncomfortable.
5. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
Discipline isn’t something you have to muster up on your own; it’s a gift from God. Through His Spirit, you have the power to conquer procrastination, overcome fear, and stick to your commitments. When you feel overwhelmed or tempted to quit, tap into the strength God has already placed within you.
6. Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Ever feel like your efforts are pointless? Maybe you’ve been working hard, but the results aren’t visible yet. Don’t lose heart. Discipline is about consistency, not instant gratification. Whether it’s staying faithful in prayer, working on your side hustle, or investing in relationships, your perseverance will pay off. Keep going; your harvest is coming.
7. Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Discipline is easier when you have a clear direction. Let God’s Word be your guide this year. Start a habit of reading the Bible daily, even if it’s just a verse or two. Allow Scripture to shape your choices and priorities, illuminating the path toward your purpose.
Bringing It All Together
Discipline isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. It’s about taking small, consistent steps that lead to big changes over time. Whether you’re setting fitness goals, working on your faith, or pursuing career dreams, these verses remind us that discipline is both a gift and a responsibility.
This year, challenge yourself to embrace discipline as an act of worship and a step toward becoming the person God created you to be. Your future self will thank you.
In a world that often leaves us searching for belonging and questioning our identity, the Bible offers profound insights into who we are and where we truly belong. These seven Bible verses highlight the unshakable foundation of our identity in Christ and the sense of belonging we find in God’s family.
1. Ephesians 2:19
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
Through Christ, you are no longer outsiders. Instead, you are integrated into God’s family as full members.
2. 1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
You are God’s own people, set apart to reflect His light in the world. It’s a compelling reminder of our unique identity and purpose.
3. Romans 8:16
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”
The familial connection between you and God not only affirms your identity but also assures of your inheritance and future glory with Christ.
4. Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Regardless of your backgrounds or social status, you all belong to God’s family through faith in Jesus.
5. 1 John 3:1
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
God has shown His love by calling you His children. You therefore belong to Him.
6. Colossians 3:3
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
Your old identity is gone, and your new life is secure in Christ. This hidden life in God provides a stable and eternal sense of belonging and identity, rooted in Christ.
7. Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Your identity and purpose are known to God even before birth. It’s a powerful reminder that you belong to Him and are created with intention and love.
Come feel Africa’s rhythm! Its heart tells stories of winning, strength, and togetherness. As the sun shines on its big lands and lively cultures, we’re on the edge of Africa Day. It’s a party that goes beyond borders, celebrating what it means to be African.
A – Abundance of Blessings
Africa is blessed with natural wonders and resources, reflecting God’s abundant provision. Psalm 68:19 reminds us, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
F – Faithful Foundations
Africa’s history is intertwined with faith, from the ancient civilizations to modern-day believers. Hebrews 11:1 inspires us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
R – Richness of Diversity
Africa’s diverse peoples and cultures showcase the beauty of God’s creation. Galatians 3:28 proclaims, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
I – Inheritance of Identity
Africa’s heritage is a testament to the enduring legacy of its people. Psalm 16:6 assures us, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
C – Call to Community
Africa’s communal spirit fosters unity and solidarity among its inhabitants. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
A – Affirmation
The Bible affirms the inherent value and dignity of every individual, echoing the principle of ubuntu prevalent in many African cultures.”So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27
As we journey through the spiritual essence of AFRICA, let us embrace its blessings, celebrate its diversity, and honor its heritage. For in this vast and vibrant continent, we discover echoes of God’s faithfulness, reminders of our shared humanity, and glimpses of His divine purpose for all creation. Let us unite in prayer, as Psalm 133:1 proclaims, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
How does the Bible view women? At face value, some of its messages and examples can seem oppressive or devaluing. But when you learn more about how Jesus responded to the Bible’s historical and cultural context, you may rethink your first impressions. Christ entered into a specific time and culture that had assumptions very different from ours. How can understanding the biblical context inform our reading? How can the context help us to better understand who Jesus is—what he values, loves, and expects of his followers? Take a look, traveling all the way back to the culture Jesus entered.
How the Greeks Viewed Women
Let’s begin with the philosophers. Writers and thinkers often infuse a culture with certain beliefs—and this was especially so in the Greco-Roman world. When examined closely, some of their ideas may seem surprisingly antiquated to the modern reader.
For example, the revered philosopher Plato believed that women should be confined to the home while men tended to the business of state and commerce. Aristotle went even further, teaching that women were inferior to men, incapable of abstract thought, and emotionally volatile. Thus husbands and fathers were to rule over their wives and daughters. This thinking reflects the basic attitude toward women during the classical period.
How did these attitudes affect a woman’s life? The picture is not a pretty one. A young Greek girl is routinely married off to an older man. Her husband is free to take a concubine, and romantic love is not expected within marriage. Her role is to bear and raise children and run the household. She will rarely leave the house. Her education is limited to learning domestic tasks. She is not permitted to vote or hold property. Why would she be? As Euripides the playwright notes, “A woman is handicapped by intellect.” Thucydides helps him along by writing, “The name of a decent woman, like her person, should be shut up in the house.”
How the Jews Viewed Women
By Jesus’s time Greek ideas—including these ideas about women—had gradually crept into Jewish culture, despite Old Testament writings to the contrary. In the creation account in Genesis, God creates human beings as both male and female, giving them co-equal stewardship over the earth (Genesis 1:26-30). Throughout the Old Testament, women are given equal access to God’s law and held equally responsible to keep it.
The Old Testament record is replete with women whose great courage often surpasses that of the men around them. The stories of Miriam, Rahab, Ruth, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther are prime examples of women whose insight and fortitude greatly influence the biblical narrative and the way God’s people understood themselves.
The Jewish understanding of women was so affected by exile, conquest, and trade that by Jesus’s time women were discouraged from studying Torah, God’s law, and encouraged to stay home to fulfill household duties. They attended synagogue assemblies seated separately from the men. The Greek-educated Jewish philosopher Philo, a contemporary of Jesus, saw women as having weak judgment and considered them unfit to learn the law. Some rabbis even went so far as to encourage men to limit their conversations with their own wives. What was the point of talking to someone with little knowledge of the law?
How Jesus Viewed Women
Into this distortion of God’s original intent for women comes a new teacher, the rabbi called Jesus of Nazareth. What do we know about Jesus’s relationships with women? Did he hold the same opinions as his culture? Let’s take a look at a few of his encounters with women.
Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman in public (John 4:4-30)
Jesus shocks the woman at the well by asking her for a drink. Thus he steamrolls over cultural taboos against men speaking to women as well as Jewish prejudice against Samaritans. “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”
Jesus then reveals himself to her as the Messiah and the giver of the living water for which she longs.
Jesus teaches a woman one-on-one (Luke 10:38-42)
Women were not expected to study Torah, yet this renegade rabbi singles out one woman and opens Scripture to her. Mary “sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching.” This position was that of the traditional rabbinic student.
When her sister complains about needing help, Jesus tells her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus comforts a widow and confronts death (Luke 7:11-17)
“Don’t cry,” Jesus says to a grieving widow whose son lies dead in his coffin. He touches the coffin, defying ceremonial law. Jaws drop in amazement as the young man sits up and begins to speak. Jesus gives the widow’s son back to her, alive and well.
Jesus touches an “unclean” woman (Luke 8:43-48)
Ceremonially unclean due to a chronic hemorrhage, a woman touches the hem of Jesus’ cloak. “Daughter,” Jesus speaks tenderly. “Your faith has healed you. Shalom.”
Jesus touches an infirm woman (Luke 13:10-16)
The religious leaders object to Jesus’s laying his healing hands on a crippled woman on the Sabbath.
“You hypocrites!” Jesus does not mince words. “Any one of you would untie your ox or your donkey from the stall and take it out to give it water on the Sabbath.Now here is this descendant of Abraham whom Satan has kept in bonds for eighteen years; should she not be released on the Sabbath?”
Jesus deals with a woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11)
The woman’s accusers are silenced by Jesus’s words, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” But he is gentle in his conversation with her.
Jesus allows Mary to anoint him (John 12:1-8)
When people are horrified at Mary’s extravagant outpouring of love, Jesus silences them all. Rather than rebuking her for touching him in this intimate way, he lavishes high praise on her. “Leave her alone; she’s anointing me for burial. This story will be told wherever the Gospel is preached.”
Jesus appears first to a woman after his Resurrection (John 20:11-18)
Although women were considered to be unreliable witnesses in court, Jesus assigns Mary Magdalene the task of being the first witness to the Resurrection.
Scripture’s Good News for Women
So what did Jesus really think of women? Did he touch them? Did he talk with them? Did he teach them? Did he give equal moral standing with men? Did he value them?
The record speaks for itself. First-century women in Palestine were second-class citizens. Sadly, some church leaders have still viewed and treated women in this way. But Jesus turned the tables on his culture, and his example calls us to do the same. Again and again, Jesus affirmed women’s value and dignity.
As the apostle Paul affirms in Galatians 3:26-28 (NIV): “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”