Women!
“But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core. I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.’”
Psalm 82:5-6 (NLT)
There is much debate about the role of women in society and more recently in the church. It has split some denominations with some seeing the role as a silent one of support only and others seeing no reason against a fully active role. We find many women mentioned in the Bible, and it is interesting to see what roles they played:
Very early on in the history of Judges’ ruling Israel, we find a married woman leading Israel. Deborah was not only a judge but also a prophetess. She led Israel into a battle which, when won, resulted in 40 years of peace (Judges 4).
Rahab, although a prostitute, was able to recognise the danger she and her family were in and had the wisdom to use it to her advantage to save not only herself but also her family (Joshua 2:12-13).
Abigail saved a whole extended household by her quick thinking and generosity and in so doing secured her future. (1 Samuel 25).
When Ahimaaz and Jonathan were trying to get a message of warning to King David, it was a woman who disguised the well’s hiding place by drying grain over it (2 Samuel 17:15-29).
Again, a woman saved the whole town of Abel (known for its wisdom) from destruction by convincing the town to give up one troublemaker, Sheba son of Bikri, when he caused Israel to rebel against King David (2 Samuel 20).
Christ led the way in His treatment of women; He refused to be bullied by Martha into taking away the better thing her sister Mary had chosen, even though it went against tradition (Luke 10:38-42). Women were at His death and those women were the first to be told of His resurrection (Luke 24:1-8) with Mary Magdalene being the first person to see Christ after His resurrection (John 20:11-18), even before His ascent to the Father.
The Proverbs 31 woman is of such a high standard that there are not many people who can match those attributes—that’s how God views us. He sees us, men and women, at our ultimate potential. With God there is no glass ceiling and no limits (Galatians 3:28).
Prayer
Loving eternal Father, thank You for the incredible human potential we have as your children. Help us to keep our focus on Your son, in whose name we pray.
Amen
Study by Jackee Brown
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Jackee Brown is a member in the Worldwide Church of God UK Congregation in London.
Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God London
Indian YMCA Student Hostel
Mahatma Gandhi Hall
41 Fitzroy Square
LONDON W1T 6AQ
Meeting Time:
Saturday 2:30pm
Local Congregational Contact:
Martin Ryan
Phone: 07958 386944
Email: martin_ryan@wcg.org.uk