Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You

'Twelve Extraordinary Women' was delivered on December 14th...fine. The paperback book was heavily water damage throughout the book, mis-shaped, mark on cover showed that water had set on it discoloring it. This is not good condition as rated. I have always been pleased with delivery and condition, even when written in( that's fine).

This is a wonderful tool to help our ladies Bible study group walk through the book "Twelve Extraordinary Women". It is teaching some how to glean all there is to learn from our ancestors.

If I didn't like John MacArthur before I read this book, I would now! Dr. MacArthur took the familiar Bible stories of each of these 12 women and brought out details and made points that I had never realized, even after having read the stories many times before; I repeatedly found myself saying, "I never noticed that before!" The book was an easy but interesting read, and I looked forward to each upcoming chapter. I learned things about the Bible that I had no idea I didn't know! My favorite chapter was the one about Hannah, because Dr. MacArthur confirmed my beliefs that God rewards women who place a priority on their husbands and their children. He phrased Hannah's devotion in eloquent chapter headings: "Love for Her Husband," "Love for Heaven," and "Love for Her Home." In a world where so much emphasis is placed on women's careers and personal ambitions, I applaud Dr. MacArthur's stance throughout the book, but especially in the Hannah chapter, on God's respect for women who humbly put their loved ones above themselves. I have bought copies of Twelve Extraordinary Women as gifts for several ladies I love (and will continue to do so!), and I am planning to teach it in a small group next spring. I would recommend this book for any woman who truly seeks to understand God's agenda for her life.

John MacArthur's newest book, Twelve Extraordinary Women, surprised me. It was refreshing to read a biblical character study of women that was not a dry catalog of facts on the one hand, nor baseless, psychological hypothesis on the other. Following the successful pattern of his earlier book, Twelve Ordinary Men, MacArthur gives a brief but satisfying look at the lives of twelve women of the Bible, taken from both the Old and New Testaments. The quality that struck me immediately was the casual, inviting, sometimes humorous tone of the book. For example, the beginning of chapter two reads, "Let's be honest; there are times in the biblical account when Sarah comes off as a bit of a shrew." Throughout the flow of the individual stories are pearls of historical and theological significance, and principles distilled for personal application. The Old Testament law of levirate marriage is discussed in the chapter on Ruth. The relationship between faith and works, an important topic in MacArthur's writing and preaching, is presented again in the stories of Rahab, and of Mary and Martha. There is a wonderful section in chapter nine, "Martha and Mary: Working and Worshiping", that deals with the priority of worship over service and the primacy of faith over works. Chapter nine also provides some insight into the possible family and social lives of the two women. As is always the case with me, I wish there were more references cited, as well as a bibliography and "For Further Study" section. My husband has already read the chapter on Ruth for a paper he is writing for his Old Testament survey class, and my daughter is next in line to read it. I could see this material adapted for a Sunday school class, Bible study group or book club. And for those who have never had the personal example of a real-life extraordinary, godly woman, this will be a blessing. - Pam Glass, Christian Book Previews.com