I am so excited to see the new movie “Hidden Figures” about Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three African-American women who helped the US win the Space Race by using their mathematical skills at NASA to put John Glenn into orbit. This is one of those movies that will educate all of us about recent American history and will inspire girls and women today to reach for the stars with the gifts God has given them. Why have we not heard of these women before? Why weren’t their stories in our history books?

The answer is the same reason you may have seldom–if ever–heard the stories of many biblical women: they are simply overlooked because the ones teaching us the stories innocently discount them, choose to ignore them, or purposely deny them their rightful place. However, once you discover the important contributions of women in the biblical record, you will want to make sure the younger generation of women and girls today know their stories and follow the examples of women who changed your world.

Over the next three weeks, I want to introduce you to three women whose stories have not made it into many sermons–let alone our collective consciousness about vital events in the history of Israel and the Church. These three women have much to teach us: Jehosheba, Huldah, and Phoebe. One of the characteristics they share in common is their willingness to risk it all in order to fulfill a one-time task. These are brave women. These are strong women. These are dependable and respected women who were each given a singular task with outcomes that still influence our lives today! The fact that each of their names is recorded in the Bible along with one particular accomplishment shows that their actions left a vital legacy in the history of Israel and the Church.

Jehosheba–a name most of us can’t figure out how to pronounce–saved THE royal bloodline from destruction! That is important because it was David’s family line through which the Messiah would come 800+ years later. I am surprised we don’t have a holiday in her honor!

Jehosheba herself was a princess, the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah. The wife of King Jehoram was Athaliah–either the mother or stepmother of Jehosheba. Athaliah’s mother or stepmother was Jezebel! While you have certainly heard of Jezebel and her evil behavior against God and her pursuit of the prophet Elijah, you most likely have not heard much about Athaliah because her story is so bloody and horrific. I’ll let you read it for yourself in 2 Kings 8-11. The bottom line concerning Athaliah’s evil is that she ordered her grandchildren to be slaughtered so she could usurp the throne after the death of her son. She was later executed for her deeds. That is simply not good Sunday School lesson material. Since we don’t hear much about Athaliah, Jehosheba’s story becomes hidden as well. Let’s unveil this woman and her accomplishments.

Three inspiring things you need to know about Jehosheba: 

1. Even though she lived with 2 generations of evil women in her family, she chose to worship God wholeheartedly. Her faithfulness prepared her to be the wife of the high priest Jehoiada who would also be instrumental in helping the nation of Judah return to God. As a leader, you may have to overcome bad influences in your own life, and make difficult choices that are countercultural. 
2. She knew when to step in and risk it all in order to save her family. She bravely rescued her nephew Jehoash from the slaughter ordered by his grandmother Athaliah. Jehosheba was able to keep him hidden in a room in the temple for 7 years. At that point, her high priest husband Jehoiada was able to stage a coup against evil Queen Athaliah and establish Jehoash as the new king of Judah. More importantly, the family she saved would become the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah eight centuries later! As a leader, you may be called on to risk your position or reputation–or something even bigger–in order to help your organization/group/family be and do what will honor God. 
3. Her actions on behalf of her young nephew Jehoash had far-reaching influence for multiple generations. The Bible tells us that as the king of Judah, Jehoash did what was right in the Lord’s eyes because Jehoiada was his teacher. Unfortunately, not all of his actions were those of a godly king, but he did re-establish the worship of God in the land and ushered in a multi-generation line of good kings for Judah. Jehosheba could not have known the future acts of her nephew, but she did what was needed at the right time. And the fact that we’re able to use her as an example in 2017 shows a continuing legacy. As a leader, you can be assured that your actions today will have an influence on the next generation of leaders. You can choose now what kind of legacy you want it to be.

When I consider what I want my legacy to be, I am inspired by the influence biblical women and modern-day godly women have had on my life. I pray that my stepdaughter and granddaughters will be encouraged by my commitment to help women discover all they can be through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Join the conversation below and tell us one of the things for which you’d like to be remembered . . .