Forty Women: Unseen women of the Bible from Eden to Easter by Ros Clarke

Forty Women: Unseen women of the Bible from Eden to Easter Reviews

• 
  Valeria

  “Women have been part of God’s great story from the beginning to the very end. They are not important because they are women. They are important because they are people. God’s people. Saints and sinners. Victims and heroes. Faithful and courageous. Wicked and cowardly. Caring, compassionate and kind. Brave, beautiful and bold. Ordinary and extraordinary. Women who show us the worst wickedness imaginable and women who show us the deepest faith of all.”
  
  The quote from the closing chapter nicely pictures the truth I believe in and so does the most of the sections. Some of the forty women are better known then others yet all the stories inspire to thinking. I didn’t expect much from the chapter about Esther, just recently I participated in Bible study about her, but the way author wrapped it up was pleasant surprise; and there was, again, something to think about.
  I find that accounts of all forty Bible characters, named and unnamed, in writing of Dr. Clarke have a point that women of our time can understand and apply some if not all.
  
  The introduction begins with: ”I had not made any specific plans for a Lenten discipline in 2019. My preference is usually to take up a particular practice rather than to give something up.” and that gave me an idea for another lent.
  
  It's great that I came across this book/devotional and would definitely recommend it.
• 
  Jonathan Thomas

  A really good series of 40 short insights into some well known and obscure women in the Bible.
  Dr Clarke is not afraid to have a proper look at both the women and what happened to them. This is no sugar coated moralism. Her honest approach to the difficulties of life is refreshing. She is never scared to tackle the most difficult of pastoral situations.
  Occasionally I felt the chapter lacked gospel application, but then the questions and prayer always gave a heart searching application.
• 
  Engrossed Reader

  This is an excellent devotional. From the women illustrated, to the reflections and prayers. A true delight to read at anytime but especially through Lent. I know I will be dipping in and out of this frequently and maybe reading from beginning to end for a third time! Will stop recommending and just give a copy as a present instead.
  Well worth the time invested.
• 
  Cat Caird

  Really interesting exploring different women in the Bible, Ros isn't afraid to talk about some of the hard stuff too!
• 
  Christine Clark

  Such a beautiful, helpful book. Didn’t read as probably should be through the 40 days of lent, but it didn’t matter. Love this woman’s writing. Some of this will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommend!
• 
  Rose A

  Interesting. It was thought-provoking and had a different, modernising approach to Biblical characters. However, it definitely left me with more questions than answers, which may well have been the point. Worth reading over Lent!
• 
  Rachael

  I really enjoyed using this book to walk through this Lenten season! I appreciated that each day had some reflection questions and a prayer.
• 
  Karen

  This devotional can be read anytime of the year. The reflections weren’t particularly “Lenten”
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  Ellie

  This book is creatively written and made me think about the women from the Old Testament in a different light. While teaching about these women from a new perspective, the author brings details forth that I hadn't often noticed before, which I appreciate.
  
  Unfortunately, the book seems to miss the greater picture of the Bible itself by focusing in so much on the profiles of the women. I was warned when the book summary on Amazon read, "...and without women, the Easter story would not have happened at all." God has mercifully used both women and men in His plan to redeem and reconcile humanity to Himself. To say that without one group of people that God couldn't or wouldn't have succeeded in that is prideful at best.
  
  In the second chapter Clarke says, "The Old Testament is a book about infertility." The Old Testament is actually a book about Jesus woven through the tapestries of people of different ages, races, socio-economics statuses, and yes, even genders. It is a part of God's love story leading up to His redemptive plan to save humanity. and while infertility does play a part in so much of that story, to say that it is a book about infertility undermines so much of what it really is.
  
  There are many other examples throughout the book of ways in which the author is scripturally debased, and while I can hope that it is just an oversight on her part, I can't recommend this book as a well-rounded, accurate study of scripture.
• 
  Diane

  An exploration of many of the usual suspects as well as several that often go unnoticed or unnamed. The old testament section was the most interesting in many ways. The reflections and prayers, for the most part were insightful and included information on context that many may not have come across before. My only complaint is that occasionally, although the chosen passage was of a woman, her commentary was more about the men surrounding that woman. But still well worth a read and an interesting one to do through Lent.
• 
  Poppy Thorpe

  A great read for Lent. A thought provoking and moving look at 40 women from the Bible.
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  Julie Birkett

  very interesting and insightful
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  Rachael

  Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC - a solid read that explores some of the lesser known women throughout scripture which would be a good Lenten devotional.