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

by Ros Clarke, Rebecca McLaughlin (Contributer)

The first witnesses to the resurrection were not men, but women – and without women, the Easter story would not have happened at all.

These hidden voices of the Bible's story are found through the Old Testament and the New Testament. In this daily Lent devotional for 2022, join Ros Clarke as she uncovers the women of the Bible who are essential to the Easter weekend. From Eve to the Shummamite, and from Deborah to Ruth, Forty Women will open your eyes to the power of the gospel.

Exploring a different character each day to take you from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Forty Women is an uplifting and inspirational look at what we can learn from the different women of the Bible. Looking at their lives, triumphs and failures, Ros Clarke shows us how these women are examples of faith and warning against sin, whose seemingly ordinary lives connect with an extraordinary God.

The perfect Lent book for 2022, Forty Women shows us how these women’s stories cast fresh light on the Bible in unexpected ways, whilst their shared humanity reminds us of wonderful truths and promises of God's word to His people as we prepare to celebrate the ultimate promise of the resurrection at Easter.

Forty Women can be read in small groups or individually, and is an ideal read for anyone wanting to learn more about the women of the Bible and the witnesses to the resurrection, as well as for anyone looking for Biblical encouragement during Lent. Its daily devotions can easily fit into a busy schedule, and will give you a new appreciation for these often overlooked Biblical figures.

Join Ros Clarke this Lent, and see the women of the Bible as never before.

Genres: Christianity, Womens, Faith, Christian, Nonfiction, Biography

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Ros Clarke is the Associate Director of Church Society, and runs the Priscilla Program at Union School of Theology. She holds a PhD in Old Testament and has contributed to a number of IVP and Apollos books, including Marriage, Family and Relationships and Old Testament Wisdom.

Reviews

[Valeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An encouraging set of devotional reflections on women from the Bible, both better known and less familiar characters. I appreciated Ros Clarke's honest look at each person, and her discussion of themes that are sometimes neglected, such as shame and abuse. Each reflection also includes two questions (though these are sometimes a bit generic) and a prayer. I would love to see another devotional from Ros one day.

[Cat Caird · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Niya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well sumarised & structured, which makes it an easy read. The author does an excellent job at:
- Humanising these prominent women as it is often written from their perspective, bringing light to their perfectly human fear, love, insecurity and courage.
- Highlighting the significance of their devotion and strength of their faith, and showcasing the model behaviour in their actions.
- Producing relevant and thought-provoking questions, morals & prayer at the end of each chapter.

I feel enriched by the contents and would most definitely recommend (and not just to other women)!

P. S. It is not an all-round Bible study guide of God's plan and humanity's story but that it is to be expected to an extent - the book is a brief focus on the overlooked women. However, I do feel it borders on 'hyperfocused', it has a bit of a modern lens to the passages and at times it appears too dumbed down.

[Becca]

* I’m not giving this book a rating as it is a devotional book. *

I’ve been wanting to read Forty Women on the lead up to Easter for a few years now but kept forgetting to start it on time - I’m so glad I picked it up this year as it really helped me reflect on how important women are in the Bible and in the Easter story. It helped me set aside time every day to read the Bible and learn more about women in Scripture.

There were some women in the Bible I knew more about such as Eve, Pharaoh’s daughter, Ruth and Mary, and others I knew less about such as Leah and the five daughters. Forty Women gave me a snapshot into the lives of forty women in the Bible and I am keen to study their stories and the stories of other’s in more detail.

I felt connected to many of these women. It was difficult to read at times and these women are flawed in various ways, but this book really helped me see the importance of women in God’s plan.

I do recommend this book on the lead up to Easter to help reflect on the importance of women in God’s plan, both in Biblical times and today. I definitely want to get my own copy of this book sometime to dip in and out of!

[Christine Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Mary Arkless · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon the recommendation of a friend, I read this as my Lenten penance 2025.

In a way, it is a quick, little read every day during Lent, but there are questions to think about. It could be something you ponder throughout the day or think about directly after reading every day’s segment.

[Janna Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supposed to read this and complete during Lent, but was stopped for a while with other daily devotional materials. It is a nice, easy-to-read book. It helps me to learn better with those women in the Bible who I had already been familiar with, and meet those who I am unfamiliar with.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed these bite sized summaries of 40 of the women in the Bible. Solid theology and very readable.

[eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a lot of hating women icl

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Julie Birkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting and insightful

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.