Numbers 27:1–10
1 Corinthians 15:58
Mark 16:1–6
Introduction
Today, we celebrate women, not just as individuals, but as pillars, as keepers of memory, and as shapers of generations. We celebrate mothers and spiritual mothers, both young and old, as the bedrock of our heritage. A bedrock is the solid foundation upon which all else rests. A woman who stands in faith holds families, churches, and communities together. If a mother is saved, an entire family walks on the thread path of salvation. Apostle Paul tells Timothy:
"I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."
2 Timothy 1:5
- Women of Hope – Hope for Generations to Come
Numbers 27:1–10
In this passage, we encounter the daughters of Zelophehad—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah, and Tirzah—five bold women who stood up in a male-dominated culture to claim their rightful inheritance. They were not afraid. They had no precedent, but they had hope.
These women were not merely fighting for land; they were standing for their father’s legacy and securing a future for their descendants. Because of their courage, God responded: “The daughters of Zelophehad are right.” The call to celebrate our heritage, persisting in mission, is a worthy call and God says, "It is neat and right so to do."
This is the power of a woman who walks in faith and hope and refuses to be silenced by outdated tradition when it contradicts justice. These daughters represent women today who stand in courtrooms, classrooms, churches, parliament, marketplaces, and homes—preserving our heritage, passing down good values, and fighting not just for themselves, but for generations unborn.
I personally have fond memories of my mother instilling hope whenever any of her children fell into despair. Her words fuel possibilities, courage, and boldness in us to persist to prevail. Mothers are indeed the bedrock of our heritage, since generations cannot boast of anything if a mother does not preserve them.
Women, you are torchbearers of hope. When the world tells you “no,” your God says, “yes, you are right.” So don’t be weary in doing good. Your faith builds legacies.
- Women of Faith – Steadfast in God's Work
1 Corinthians 15:58
Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord…”
This verse is not for pastors or reverend ministers, catechists, and presbyters/elders only, but to every faithful brother or sister who serves even in the background, often unnoticed, often uncelebrated.
Think of our faithful Christian women who have and are serving for decades in the church—weeding the church compound, cleaning and washing church premises, curtains and clothes, coming to prayer meetings, nurturing children, and counselling the young ones in the church. I tell you, you are doing the Lord’s work, and your labour shall not be in vain.
There’s faithfulness in the woman who prays before dawn, who cooks with love, who teaches Sunday school, who encourages her neighbor, etc. Whether you're young or old, employed or retired, single or married, your faithfulness in the little things builds the heritage of faith in others. Keep it up and never give up on them.
To all women of faith, I say to you, remain sure and steadfast. Let your life be a living testimony for what you do in secret, God sees, and He rewards.
- Women of Forgiveness – Carriers of Mission
Mark 16:1–6
The women at the tomb—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome—came to anoint Jesus. They came in mourning but left on a mission. They were the first to hear the resurrection news, and they carried it to the disciples. "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11). Carriers of the mission may sound like nonsense to people, but our persistence will bring sense of illumination to them.
Remember, these were women whose hearts had been healed and forgiven. Mary Magdalene had been delivered from demons (Mark 16:9). The others had walked with Jesus, forgiven, redeemed, and made whole.
Forgiveness is not just a personal gift; it's a generational healing. A mother who forgives teaches her children mercy. A wife who releases bitterness sows peace in her home. A young woman who forgives herself is empowered to move forward with dignity.
Women, you are carriers of resurrection hope because you have known the power of God's forgiveness. Your past does not disqualify you—it equips you! Like the women at the tomb, you are the first witnesses of God's power to restore.
- Women of Love – The Heartbeat of Heritage
If hope inspires, faithfulness builds, and forgiveness heals, then love sustains.
It is the love of a mother that tarries through the night when a child is sick. It is the love of a sister who cares for aging parents. It is the love of a Christian woman who feeds the hungry and speaks kindly to the lonely.
Paul tells us that love never fails. And when we talk of heritage, we must understand that the true heritage is the love passed down to us. Properties may be out of use. Traditions may change. But the love of a godly person endures in the lives of all s/he touches.
Women, you are the heartbeat of love in the home, in the church, and in the world. Keep loving, even when it’s hard. Keep giving, even when you feel empty. God is your strength, and His love through you changes lives.
Conclusion
To every woman, "You are the bedrock of our heritage." You carry the legacy of the daughters of Zelophehad. You carry the faithfulness of the women at the tomb. You carry the forgiveness of Mary Magdalene. And you carry the love of Christ.
To our men and children, let us honour our women. Let us listen to their wisdom. Let us support their calling. For when we uplift our women, we strengthen our heritage.
As 1 Corinthians 15:58 declares:
“Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Women of hope, faith, and love, your work—whether seen or unseen—is precious to God. Your hope will persist for many. Your faith will speak to generations. Your love will never be forgotten. You are, indeed, the bedrock of our heritage.
Shalom aleikhem...
