Walking With Christ

I’ve heard a lot of arguments saying that the bible was written by men just to support the patriarchy. I have a hard time disagreeing more with that statement. I find it detestable and utterly untrue. It is true that there are a lot of men spoken of highly in the bible. I would also say that nearly all of the bad actors in the bible are also male. In the cases where the bible speaks about a woman in a bad way it is never because she was a woman. In most cases, the bible focuses on the action, the motivation, and the consequence of that combination as a means to highlight the things we need to know.

Let’s talk about the women of the bible.

Twenty-four of the thirty-nine books of the old testament are named after people. Fifteen of the twenty-seven books of the new testament are named after people. Even without any knowledge of the bible at all, a person can read the names of the books of the bible and find two women listed. Ruth and Esther were important enough to have their own books in the bible. We can obviously speak about Mary, the mother of Jesus, but it’s so easy to stop there and just gloss over the other women who have been vital throughout history.

First, let’s talk about some of the women of the bible who had some problems.
1. Eve. Genesis 3. Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the garden then gave it to Adam.
2. Jezebel. 1 Kings 16–21 and 2 Kings 9. Baal worshiping queen who opposed God’s prophets.
3. Delilah. Judges 16. Known for betraying Samson.
4. Potiphar’s wife. Genesis 39. Attempted to seduce Joseph then accused him of wrong doing when he politely ran away like his hair was on fire.
5. Athaliah. 2 Kings 11 and 2 Chronicles 22–23. The only know reigning queen of Judah who tried to kill off the royal family of Judah in a power grab.
6. Herodias. Matthew 14 and Mark 6. Got John the Baptist killed for denouncing her marriage to her dead husband’s brother, Herod Antipas.
7. Sapphira. Acts 5. Her and her husband Ananias both lied to the apostles about giving the proceeds of a land sale to the apostles.
8. Lot’s wife. Genesis 19. Turned into a pillar of salt for looking back to see the destruction of Sodom after being explicitly told not to do so.
9. The witch of Endor. 1 Samuel 28. Condemned for trying to contact the dead prophet Samuel for King Saul instead of seeking wisdom from God.
10. Gomer. Hosea 1–3. Wife of the prophet Hosea who was shown to be unfaithful.

This isn’t a comprehensive list of women who did bad things in the bible, but this list is considerably shorter than the list of women who were used as good examples. The simple truth is that women have been vital to many key points in history.

Deborah was a prophet and the only female judge of Israel. Esther literally saved the children of Israel from complete destruction through the schemes of an enemy. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi and her faith in God spawned an entire book of the bible. Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who bravely hid two spies because of her faith in the God of Israel. The woman at the well was the first person that Jesus announced directly that He was God. The fact that He even spoke to a woman, let alone a Samaritan women, broke every societal mold there was when it came to women. Mary Magdelene was the first witness to Christ’s resurrection. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, was known for her faithfulness and joy at the promise of her son. Sarai, who later became Sarah, was the wife of Abram, who would become Abraham and the father of Israel. Hannah prayed for a son and then dedicated that son, Samuel, to God’s service.

This list could go on and on. There are so many examples where the gentle, and sometimes not so gentle, influence of a woman was the very reason that things worked out in a positive way. Nearly every great man in the bible was supported by an amazing woman who gave support and advice. Nearly every great man of the bible had a mother who helped to shape him into the man he needed to be for the role God had planned.

It is the heart of a mother that gives strength to nations. Women are nurturing and compassionate, just ask any mother. Women are protective, get between a woman and someone they love at your own risk. Women are patient, just ask any husband who ever had an idea. Women can show unconditional love, just ask any kid who struggled with doing the right thing growing up. Women have hidden reserves of wisdom, given freely to any who are smart enough to ask. Women are these things and so much more. The mysteries of the female heart are never ending. They can empathize with just about anyone who is hurting or struggling. They feel emotions that some men are simply unaware of existing. They have an inner strength that is not forged in fire but is somehow stronger than anything else this world has to offer.

Speaking as a guy, women are the greatest treasure to found in this life outside of salvation itself. To find the right woman is to be made complete. Not perfected, yet, but complete. I find my greatest source of strength and encouragement in my wife. She always lifts me up even when I don’t want to be lifted. She has supported me, carried me at times, through the healing process that marks the end of many generational curses. She was the light I saw in the darkness. To God goes the glory for sending her to me. She is all the proof I need that He has a perfect plan for my life.

Ladies, thank you for doing all that you do on a daily basis. You are not perfect, but that makes you even more beautiful. You, yes, you perform a vital role in this world and without you this world would be a dark place. You are more than you know to more people than you are aware of. God made you for a divine purpose. He knows the things you keep hidden from the world. You are not alone. He is with you through your struggles. He sees you where you are. He loves you as you are, but He knows who you will be and wants to see you get there.

Gentlemen, take time to thank the ladies in your life. They put up with us. They encourage us through every foolhardy and goofy plan that pops into our heads. They put up with our antics and odd quirks. They bring so much light into our lives just by being who they are. They make us better in so many ways. Whatever role they fill in our lives, be thankful that they are there. Let them know how much you appreciate all of the things that they do even if we don’t always see them.