More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible

By Erin Brown Hollis

Welcome back to Girls' Night!

Grab your favorite snacks, your besties, and some open nights on the calendar to take a deep dive into the noteworthy drama sprinkled throughout the Bible. These days, our television entertainment also consists of some pretty outrageous drama, but the women of the Bible have riveting tales filled with much more exciting story lines than anything you'll find on a soap opera or reality TV...

More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible invites you to...

- take a breather from the pressures and distractions of today;

- delve off into the alluring, water-cooler-gossip-worthy tales of the biblical housewives; and

- discover the incredible promises of fortitude, survival, empowerment and love found through their stories in God's Word.

So, with that said, right now, I would like to invite you to join me for a good old-fashioned Girls' Night. Actually, several of them. Whatever time of the day works best for you, curl up on the couch with me and let's chat it up. Over the next few weeks we will have some fun getting to know each other and learning about Deborah, Rahab, Leah, Abigail, and Bathsheba. You know, the ladies God would love for us to chat about since He divinely plopped them right there in His Word for us. Grab your popcorn, friend. It's about to get real...

• Language: English
• Publisher: vinspirepublishing
• Release date: Jan 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463268650

Book preview

Table of Contents

Praise for The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible Series

More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction

Deborah

#RealTalk: The Down Low with Deborah

Lesson 1: Shattering the Glass Ceiling Myth

Action Steps

Lesson 2: Dreamers vs. Doers

It Will Never Be Easier to Chase Your Dream Than It Is Right Now

You Have the Time Right Now

Taking the First Step is Much Easier Than You Think

You Will Need Your Tribe

You Will Fail, but Getting Back Up Is for the Real Goal-Achievers

Rejection is God’s Protection

All Things Are Possible with Christ

Action Steps

Lesson 3: Homeboy to Hero

Action Steps

Rahab

#RealTalk: Rambling with Rahab

Lesson 1: Little People Lightsabers: Let Your Light Shine

Negating the Nots: God Can Use Anyone. Yes, even YOU.

Are You Letting It Shine?

God Can Use Us Anywhere, Anytime

Action Steps

Lesson 2: Rip Off the Backpack and Rise Up!

Action Steps

Lesson 3: Messes to Messages

Action Steps

Leah

#RealTalk: Letting it All Hang Out with Leah

Lesson 1: Confessions of The Deep Cleaning Diva

Action Steps

Lesson 2: The Grass is Greener—Where You Water It

Action Steps

Lesson 3: Less Bitter, More Glitter

Action Steps

Abigail

#RealTalk: All the Deets with Abigail

Lesson 1: Faith Not Forbes

Action Steps

Lesson 2: Shag Carpet and Foundation Cracks

Action Steps

Lesson 3: Too Submit to Quit

Action Steps

Bathsheba

#RealTalk: Babbling with Bathsheba

Lesson 1: Cow Calamity Chronicles

Action Steps

Lesson 2: Sashay All Day

Action Steps

Lesson 3: Handprints on Your Heart

Handprints on Your Heart

Action Steps

Until Next Time…

Dear Reader

Plan Your Next Escape!

Remarkable Reminders Scripture Reference Guide

Bible Study Guide

Deborah

Lesson 1: Shattering the Glass Ceiling Myth

Lesson 2: Dreamers vs. Doers

Lesson 3: Homeboy to Hero

Rahab

Lesson 1: Little People Lightsabers: Let Your Light Shine

Lesson 2: Rip Off the Backpack and Rise Up!

Lesson 3: Messes to Messages

Leah

Lesson 1: Confessions of The Deep Cleaning Diva

Lesson 2: The Grass is Greener—Where You Water It

Lesson 3: Less Bitter, More Glitter

Abigail

Lesson 1: Faith Not Forbes

Lesson 2: Shag Carpet and Foundation Cracks

Lesson 3: Too Submit to Quit

Bathsheba

Lesson 1: Cow Calamity Chronicles

Lesson 2: Sashay All Day

Lesson 3: Handprints on Your Heart

Acknowledgments

Praise for The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible Series

"Erin Brown Hollis is creatively brilliant and refreshingly real — a combination that makes More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible both entertaining and inspiring to read. With fiery wit and Southern hospitality, Erin invites you to learn more about the Bible and yourself. Erin is the friend you need to cheer you on so you can live the remarkable life to which God is calling you." Rachael Adams, founder of The Love Offering and The Love Offering Podcast

"Erin Brown Hollis brings Bible stories to life with colorful word pictures, witty lingo, and lighthearted comments that will make you smile. She draws you in with her fun repackaging of familiar stories, then inspires you with tales of the brave faith these women demonstrate. Erin will encourage you with her own stories about when God helped her triumph, and you’ll gain plenty of applications for your own faith journey. For a truly enjoyable read, choose More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible." ~ Sarah Geringer, Proverbs31 Ministries Daily Devotional Contributor, and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus

With charm and wit, Erin Brown Hollis gives a fresh voice to the housewives of the Bible. Hollis takes readers deeper into study with scripture and challenges readers to step into relevant action through practical application. Grab your girlies, this is such a fun and fresh approach to studying God’s word! ~ Lauren H. Brandenburg, wife, mother, author—The Death of Mungo Blackwell

"We need to let drama remain in Hollywood and not in our hearts. This is often easier said than lived out, isn’t it? Erin Hollis gets this and so do our fellow gal pals mentioned in the Bible for they faced their own doubts, shame, and insecurities. One was called to lead when no man would; another was seduced by the same man who had her husband murdered—what? Yep. Drama. But God didn’t give up on these women in the midst of their drama. Like she did in the first Remarkable Housewives of the Bible, Erin has proven once again that God will not give up on us as we struggle with the drama within or around us. Allow the stories and Erin’s wisdom in this book to help you take your temporal, Emmy award worthy messes and turn them into eternal, God-honoring winning messages that truly inspire and encourage others." ~ Tracy Steel, author of A Redesigned Life

"More riveting than any TV series, The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series is a delicious treat that teaches, entertains, and reminds us that we’re all in this together, girlfriends! Erin Brown Hollis has just made her way to my must-read list." ~Debby Mayne, author of Bucklin Family Reunion southern women’s fiction series—High Cotton, Fit to Be Tied, and Out of Pocket

"There’s a new voice in Bible studies that had me turning pages like it was a novel. The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series, by Erin Brown Hollis, will delight and challenge at the same time. Written in an amusing style, there is deep insight in application for today’s women. I highly recommend it." ~ Ane Mulligan, bestselling author of the Chapel Springs series.

"The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series by Erin Brown Hollis is one of the most practical yet breath-of-fresh-air series I’ve come across in a long time. With all the negative housewife examples and stories that flood our households via TV and other media, we are in desperate need of a series like this. I commend the author on her well-researched and organized books, and particularly the fact that amidst the very interesting stories of the housewives in the Bible, we find practical steps to become godly examples for others. Young women are looking for role models, and the housewives highlighted in this book are exactly what they need!" ~ Kathi Macias, Bestselling author of more than 50 books, including Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today

"Erin Brown Hollis has created a bridge between the modern Christian and how we relate to the sometimes-scandalous women in Scripture. The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series approaches our biblical history in an easy, humorous way that reminds us that our struggles aren’t new, and that we have loads to learn from women who have already walked through it. Hollis’ voice is relatable and hilarious—reading her words lets me pretend we are gathered around her TV watching and laughing along to a crazy reality show. Except none of these characters are staged. She identifies lies we believe in our everyday and pens powerful, practical responses for the reader to use as spiritual weapons of truth. At the end of each chapter, we find simple but effective action items all women can take toward healthy spiritual living. Through her story telling, I am reminded that these historical women are my ancestors—my family—and that I am not alone even in my toughest situations." ~ Shontell Brewer, author of Missionary Mom

"Hollis’ scriptural discernment, hilarious wit, and heart for an epic girl’s night makes me want to read The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series on repeat. More than anything, I want to hang out with Erin in real life and talk culture and Bible and truth and drama! And you will too! Finally, a get-in-the-Word read that’s relatable and an absolute memory maker!" ~ Bekah Pogue, author of Choosing REAL book, devotional and journal. Bekah is a retreat leader, Pasture founder, a spiritual director-in-training, and soul care celebrator. Connect with her at bekahpogue.com.

Looking for a fresh approach to Bible study? Look no further than Erin Hollis’ The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series! Sharing life lessons and experiences in their own words, Erin shares the stories of five remarkable women of the Bible in her latest book. Erin’s witty and friendly tone instantly invites readers deeper, and GNO will never be the same as women of today take away important truths and biblical wisdom that never go out of style. Gather your gal pals, and dig into Erin’s delightfully fun new Bible study series! ~ Catherine Bird, Author of The Art of Amen, Becoming a Girl of Grace—A Bible Study for Tween Girls & Their Moms, and Building Circles of Grace—A Bible Study for Tween Girls & Their Moms

More Remarkable Housewives of the Bible

Erin Brown Hollis

Vinspire Publishing

www.vinspirepublishing.com

Copyright ©2020 Erin Brown Hollis

Cover illustration copyright © 2020 Hope Smith

Cover design by Elaina Lee/For the Muse Designs

Ebook and Interior design by Woven Red Author Services, www.WovenRed.ca

First Edition

Printed and bound in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, please contact Vinspire Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 1165, Ladson, SC 29456-1165.

All characters in this work are purely fictional and have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

Scripture Quotation taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Copyright © 1973, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 978-1-7341507-0-4

Published by Vinspire Publishing, LLC

To the girl who needs a friend;

To the woman who never feels enough;

To the ladies with big dreams in their hearts;

To the groups searching for their next study or book club selection;

And to the reader looking for a good time,

This book is for you.

More importantly, God is for you. Always.

And to my Babies.

My greatest gifts will forever be the two of you.

Thank you for keeping a smile on my face, hope in my heart and a pep in my step.

Love you to God and back a million bajillion times.

Introduction

Hey there! What are you up to today—Wanna hang out?

If you are returning for round two of the Remarkable Housewives series after reading the first book, let me take this opportunity to thank you for being here and also inform you that we are officially besties. You may not have bargained for such a designation, but you’re here with me again and it feels all kinds of right. You know?

To those likewise wonderful souls who have arrived at this series for the very first time: Welcome, friend! We are about to have so much fun together. Grab your favorite beverage, a snack, and possibly a pair of killer heels (or a set of comfy PJs). Invite a friend or two over if you’re feeling the vibe, and let’s get this party started!

You may be thinking, Oh Erin! I would love to, but I am so short on time these days!

I feel you, girl! Between work and kids and laundry and my nighttime TV, I just can’t seem to find a free second to spare either!

Oops…

Did you catch it? I just made my first confession to you. We aren’t even five minutes in to our time together and I am already getting real. I just openly admitted to you that my nighttime TV has become one of my things that I just can’t shake. The struggle is so real, and I get it.

My first guess in this friendship we are forming is that like me, there is something in your life that tends to pull you away from a daily quiet time, or maybe even any time alone with God.

Do you also find yourself getting sucked in to social media scroll sessions, online shopping, and all the other shiny distractions our world has to offer today tending to fill those oh-so-rare margin moments causing you to miss out on those amazing, life-giving moments that should be keeping our agendas nice and stocked?

My second guess on this journey we are taking is: maybe you, too are searching for other ways to fill your time. Maybe you are looking to grow your relationship with Christ. Or maybe you are looking for your next super fun Bible Study for your own Girls’ Night group. (Side note: can I join?!?)

First, we need to decide what to do, right?

Well, when I have free time (side note: what is free time, by the way?), you will find me:

reading for pleasure;

lying on the couch watching the latest trending show;

window shopping online (which equates to filling my virtual basket with hundreds of items only to empty said cart at about 12:04 a.m. when I remember that I am in fact, not made of money); or

bribing my mom to keep my precious progeny so Momma can have that suddenly rare night out on the town, because #momlife and #adulting.

Since many of you may have guessed or possibly relate to the fact that (b) is my most real answer and (d) is my most desired answer, I realized I needed to come up with a way for all of us to throw Bible Study into our answers too–our intentional, desired, don’t-want-to-miss-a-day-without-it answers. Because let me fill you in on something I’ve been learning lately: the ladies of the Bible are remarkable. They are relatable. They are real women like you and me striving, thriving, and in lots of cases barely surviving on this crazy journey called life.

We need the kind of content these women have to offer. Because their incredible stories come coupled with lessons from God as an added bonus.

We need to be reminded that we aren’t alone when we feel like we’ve failed one too many times.

We need encouragement to chase that dream, fight for that vision, or run after that lifelong goal.

We need pointers for dealing with tough situations and hands to hold in rocky waters.

We need to thrive in studying God’s Word. Because there, and only there, will we find the hope and answers to all of the moments mentioned above.

After reading about Delilah late one night, I discovered there are intriguing, scintillating, occasionally out-of-her-ever-loving-mind ladies sprinkled all throughout God’s Word. In all the time we’ve been hanging out with our girls (or more realistically chillin’ on our couches watching reality TV, scrolling the ‘gram or window shopping online), we could have been digging in the Word for our entertainment, while also growing spiritually at the same time. It’s all about the two-fer activity, y’all. Life is best lived with balance and efficiency. And I’m here for all of it.

Enter: The Remarkable Housewives of the Bible series.

This series is intended to remind us of all the female examples God has sprinkled throughout the Bible to offer us guidance on any topic available. Topics such as servant leadership, integrity, unconditional love, loyalty, truthfulness, and the true meaning of kindred friendship—just to name a few. These stories are powerful. And yes, even all kinds of dramatic, Girls’ Night entertainment worthy. It’s comforting to know that no matter what earthly joy, pain or anything in between you are experiencing, you can dig in the Word to find a character worthy of holding your hand throughout the entire journey. Characters who have been where you are and can show you where to go—to get to the other side with Christ.

So with that said, right now, I would like to invite you to join me for a good old-fashioned Girls’ Night (or Girls’ Day, depending on what time suits your fancy). Actually, several of them. Let’s do this, friend. Let’s click yes on the good ole-fashioned friend request and live our best lives. I’m picturing late night chats on porch swings and texting one another to share the latest deets we discover in the Word. I hope, I pray, this book is so juicy you want more of it. Strike that. I pray, after our time together, you want more of God. I pray you fall head over heels for the overwhelming love you find when we sit and study His storyline…

Whatever time of day works best for you, curl up on the couch with me and let’s chat it up. Over the next few weeks, we will have some fun getting to know each other and learning about some other incredible women, too. You know the ones God would love for us to chat about since He divinely plopped them right there in His Word for us.

As you read through each woman’s story, imagine her popping into the room for a few minutes to join the fun. What does she look like? Who does she remind you of? If you are reading this book in a group study, you could really turn up the fun factor by having someone dress up in character and read the story aloud. I’m envisioning theme nights. And specialty food and drinks. And games. Am I having too much fun with this already?

After each of the women’s stories, I’ll cruise back through the details she shared so we can dish some #RealTalk, when we get to chat about some observations we see emerging from her life.

Challenge: Let’s get together for the next few weeks for a few minutes each day to take a look at the lessons from these ladies’ lives. Then, let’s watch as God changes our hearts little by little, transforming us into a powerful group of women with hearts devoted to Him!

Now that we are geared up for Season Two of the Remarkable Housewives, let’s kick things off with Deborah. I promised you this book would bring the drama. Grab your popcorn, girl. It’s about to get real…

Looking Forward to Girls’ Night Awesomeness,

Erin

Deborah

The Palm Tree Prophetess

Hometown: Canaan

Family: Hubby—Lappidoth

Tagline: Take a leaf, and let me settle your beef.

For More on Deborah, Check Out: Judges 4-5

Travel back in time with me thousands of years ago to Israel. Imagine a war-torn land where emotions are running high after years of unbearable living circumstances. Think hangry toddlers turned adults who have been running amok to the tune of twenty years. Tempers are thin and the frustration is palpable. These people, the Israelites, have had enough. They are in dire need of a competent leader. Thankfully, God knows just the one to fill such an esteemed role, and, spoiler alert: there’s a twist ahead. This is Deborah’s story told in her own words…

Imagine sitting under a gorgeous sprawling palm with wind swirling in little sandy gusts as droves of people file in and out asking you to fix their lives. Not fix in the sense of a doctor, psychologist, or another form of traditional fixer. Rather as the judge and jury of the whole ordeal. Hi. I’m Deborah. I’m a judge and also a prophetess—which is just a fancy way of labeling my gift: God tells me special things He wants me to share with others. I’m looking forward to chatting with you about one of my most exciting palm proceedings today.

I suppose I should share that on this day in particular, the people in my town were mighty miffed at the wretched state of affairs. The Israelites made such poor choices for so long, God had to intervene. Pressures to give in to idol worship and other diversions from God’s intentions were rampant –these people were delivering themselves into the hands of the enemy. In fact, God delivered them directly into the hands of Jabin, the king of Canaan!

It was bad enough the Israelites found themselves as the newest property of Jabin. To make matters worse, there was a really bad guy named Sisera, the commander-in-chief of Jabin’s army, lurking dangerously nearby, causing anxiety and even hysteria to some. This dude made the lives of the Israelites a living hell for twenty years. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t need that kind of negativity up in my life. I’ve got palm trees to spruce and scores to settle!

Conditions were grim, to say the least. I saw trial and tribulation one after another, and to be honest, I was growing weary of all the melodrama. But since drama and the solving thereof happens to be my occupation, I couldn’t escape the scene.

Speaking of solving things, God spoke so clearly to me on this day it was as if He was seated under the palm tree beside me. I recall the sun being so vibrant and the air almost still when I heard His voice. My task was simple, yet so profound: tell Barak to gather 10,000 men and head up to Mount Tabor.

Well, yeah. Because herding 10,000 men ready to rock Jabin’s world is no big deal, I jumped with my orders. Immediately, I called out for Barak (not so much Obama, more so the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali). I need to stop here because just saying that to you caused me to realize how insane this order must have sounded coming out of my mouth. Ten thousand men?