Book Review: Twelve Extraordinary Women

Twelve Extraordinary Women
How God Shaped Women of the BibleAnd What He Wants to Do with You
by John MacArthur

Published by Nelson Books

Written as a sequel to the best selling book “Twelve Ordinary Men”, John MacArthur’s character study formats deal with the lives of 12 principal women of Scripture.He states that it was a hard decision to decided which women to include in his character study, finally he chose what he feels are 12 women who are critical to the story of redemption.

 
As the journey begins into each of their lives, you’ll discover spiritual lessons that have been taken directly from the trials of Jesus followers and relatives.The lives of Eve, the mother of all, Sarah, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Mary, The Samaritan woman, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene and Lydia are revealed in brief character studies.From each o­ne of these women lives we see the ordinary, common and in some cases low o­n the social scale lifestyles, yet each of them were made extraordinary by a life-changing encounter with God.These women are woman we can relate to as we see aspects of our own character in their personalities, short comings, struggles, failures and most of all their deep seated desire to be everything Christ wants them to be.

 
It will fill you with hope as you see these ordinary women transformed into the extraordinary, not because of any of their own natural qualities or traits, but because the o­ne true God refined them like silver.As their lives unfolded between the pages in a way I’ve never imagined before, I discovered new and exciting aspects of myself in each person.It is the type of book that will draw you in and cause you to see your own personal traits that Christ wants to refine.These women stand as a reminder of both our faithfulness and our potential.

 
John MacArthur brings out the unique feature of the Bible in that it exalts women.It is his hope as you meet these women in Scripture and get to know them o­n a personal level, they will challenge, motivate you and encourage you with love for God in whom they trusted and served.

Review by Melissa Waters