Speak His Word Only

Primary Scriptures: Genesis 16:1–16; Genesis 21:8–21 Introduction Speak His Word Only shares with you another powerful Woman of the Bible—Hagar . Her name, Hagar , is commonly associated with the idea of flight, wandering, or sojourning , although the exact etymology is uncertain. Her life certainly became marked by movement, hardship, and encounters with God in the wilderness. Hagar was an Egyptian handmaid of Sarai (Sarah) . When Sarai remained barren, she gave Hagar to Abram as a wife so that she might obtain children through her, according to an ancient custom of the time. “And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian… and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.” — Genesis 16:3, KJV Hagar conceived, but pregnancy changed the relationship between the two women. Scripture says: “…when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.” — Genesis 16:4, KJV After conflict developed between Sarai and Hagar, Sarai dealt harshly with her, and H...

Primary Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:14–15 Introduction Speak His Word Only speaks forth another powerful Woman of the Bible. Her name is Lois, the grandmother of Timothy and the mother of Eunice. Her Greek name, Lōïs (Λωΐς), is traditionally associated with ideas such as “better” or “more desirable,” although the exact etymology is uncertain. Lois receives only a brief mention in Scripture, but what Paul says about her is profound: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” — 2 Timothy 1:5, KJV Paul remembered Lois not for wealth, position, or public recognition. He remembered her for faith—genuine, sincere, unfeigned faith. That faith did not end with Lois. Paul saw it in her daughter Eunice, and then he recognized it in her grandson Timothy. Here we see three generations touched by sincere faith: Lois → Eunice → Timothy. An Important Biblical Cl...

Primary Scriptures: Hosea 1:2–9; Hosea 2:1–23; Hosea 3:1–5 Introduction Speak His Word Only brings you another Woman of the Bible. Her name is Gomer , the daughter of Diblaim (Diblaim/Diblaim in KJV spelling), and she became the wife of the prophet Hosea . Her Hebrew name, Gōmer (גֹּמֶר) , is related to a Hebrew root carrying the sense of completion, coming to an end, or bringing something to completion . This meaning provides an interesting backdrop to the prophetic message of Hosea: sin and rebellion will not continue forever. God appoints a time when judgment comes, yet Hosea also reveals that God's purpose does not end with judgment—He speaks of restoration, mercy, and renewed covenant relationship . Gomer's story begins with a startling command: “Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms…” — Hosea 1:2, KJV Gomer's marriage to Hosea became part of a living prophetic message. Their troubled marriage illustrated something much larger than their hou...

 Exodus 2:1–10 Introduction Jochebed was a remarkable mother whose faith and courage influenced the history of Israel. She was of the tribe of Levi , the wife of Amram , and the mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses . Numbers 26:59 identifies her: “And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.” — Numbers 26:59, KJV Her Hebrew name, Yôḵeḇeḏ (יוֹכֶבֶד) , is commonly understood as “YHWH is glory” or “the glory of YHWH.” Thus, rather than simply “Jehovah-glorified,” the name carries the beautiful idea of the LORD's glory . And the glory of God can certainly be seen in Jochebed's life. She gave birth to three children who would each occupy significant roles among God's people: Miriam became a prophetess, Aaron became Israel's first high priest, and Moses became the servant through whom God delivered Israel from Egypt and gave His law to the nation.

Numbers 27:1 Then came the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph: and these are the names of his daughters; Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. Numbers 27:2 And they stood before Moses, and before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Numbers 27:3 Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the LORD in the company of Korah; but died in his own sin, and had no sons. Numbers 27:4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.  Numbers 27:5 And Moses brought their cause before the LORD. Numbers 27:6 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Numbers 27:7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak...

Exodus 1:15–21 Introduction Puah and Shiphrah appear only briefly in Scripture, yet their actions stand as a powerful testimony of courage, obedience, and the fear of God. Israel was living in Egypt and multiplying greatly. A new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and became fearful of Israel's increasing population. He first attempted to weaken the Israelites through hard bondage. When oppression failed to stop their growth, Pharaoh turned to something far more sinister: he commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill the male children at birth. But Pharaoh encountered two women who recognized an authority greater than his own. Exodus 1:17 (KJV): “But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.” That one statement tells us what governed their decision: they feared God more than they feared Pharaoh. Who Were Puah and Shiphrah? Exodus 1:15 names two midwives: Shiphrah — Hebrew Šiprâ (שִׁפְרָה), associated with ideas of be...