| WOMEN Although the bible states that women are to be in subjection to men (1 Corinthians 11:1-10, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, Titus 2:5) this does not mean women are inferior to men. Nowhere does the bible indicate women are of lesser value than men. In fact, the bible shows there were many women who were in positions of power and authority. For example, There were queens that were allowed to have their measure of rulership (1 Kings 10:1-10, Daniel 5:10, Acts 8:27). There were also women that were true prophetesses of Yahweh (Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4-5, 2 Kings 22:14-15, Luke 2:36-38). Women were allowed to take Nazirite vows along with the men (Numbers 6:1-4). The bible also indicates it is alright for women to work for a living, to own their own businesses, and to look after the needs of others, even outside the household (Proverbs 31:3-30, Acts 9:36, Acts 16:14, Acts 18:1-3). God also hears the prayers of faithful women and answers them (Genesis 30:22, 1 Samuel 1:12,20). Jesus had no qualms towards healing women as well as men (Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 15:28, Luke 8:2-3, Luke 13:11-12) or forgiving them (Luke 7: 36-50, John 8:1-11). Women are not to be disrespected (Exodus 21:7-8, Exodus 21:10, Exodus 22:16, Leviticus 19:29, Proverbs 5:15-20, 1 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 5:28). The bible shows that women were allowed to participate in the spiritual education of others (Romans 16:1, Romans 16:12, Romans 18:1,26, 1 Timothy 5:4, 2 Timothy 1:5). The bible speaks of women who were blessed for doing the will of God in spite of what others wanted them to do. One example is of two midwives who refused to kill all the newborn boys according to Pharaoh's decree. Yahweh blessed these midwives with families because of this (Exodus 1:15-21). Another example is a woman who bravely killed an enemy army chief with her own two hands (Judges 4:17-24). There is also the account of Rahab, a city prostitute that risked her life hiding Yahweh's spies. For her faith she was rescued from Yahweh's wrath and taken care of (Joshua 2:1-21 and 6:15-25). And let's not forget the woman with the alabaster case full of perfumed oil that she poured onto Christ's head. He considered this a good deed, and thus made sure she'd be remembered for it (Matthew 26:6-13). Women should be modest in how they dress, and not be overly concerned about their physical beauty (1 Timothy 2:9). They are not to be gossipy, slanderous, or otherwise speaking ill of others (1 Timothy 3:11). Women are supposed to be good examples of behaviour, teach good things to others, and not be given to drinking lots of wine (Titus 2:3). It is a blessing for a woman to bear children (Genesis 20:17-18, Genesis 30:22-23, Psalms 113:9, Psalms 128:3). Under the Law, if a husband falsely accused his wife of adultery and it was proven to be a false accusation, the man was to make his wife pregnant (Numbers 5:28). God also made sure that the women weren't treated with contempt. If a man were to take more than one wife, he was to be sure the first wife didn't get less of anything because of it (Exodus 21:10). There were many other faithful women mentioned in a positive light in the bible: Esther saved a nation (Book Of Esther). |