Thursday, June 5, 2014

"Yes All Women" are valued by God


            I recently heard murmurings of a Twitter trend called #yesallwomen.  A young man desired revenge for the lack of sexual attention he had been shown by women, resulting in his murder of 6 people and ending with his own suicide.  These events have inspired women to speak up against the misogyny they encounter in day-to-day life.   
            I was a bit slow to learn of the tragedy and ensuing response.  However, after reading articles and posts in which people vocalized the value of women, what came forth from me was a resounding: “YES!”  Much of what I’ve seen from the public is a support of biblical teaching, but I think this connection may be going unnoticed.  I want to share a *small* glimpse of what God teaches about women.


Women are created and known by God.
Samaritan woman: “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.  Can this be the Christ?” John 4:29

            No woman is an accident.  No woman is hidden from God.  In his infinite wisdom, God created us with care and intentionality.  He knit us together in the womb, and knows our every thought.  [See Genesis 2:18, Psalm 139, John 4:17-18]
 

Women are loved and saved by God.
Jesus: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34

            In sending Jesus to absorb mankind’s punishment for sin, God’s grace and mercy is extended to the world.  The greatest gift that can ever be given, salvation from sin and eternal life with God, is offered to all who follow Christ.  God does not show favoritism between males and females.
            The woman referenced in the verse above suffered from 12 years of bleeding, and was instantly healed by reaching out in faith to touch Jesus’ garment.  Such bleeding deemed her unclean by society, but she could never be too filthy for Jesus.  Forgiveness and salvation come not by our own works, so no person is beyond Jesus’ reach.  No person is a burden to him either – even though Jesus was on his way to heal a dying girl, he did not rush through the crowds as if the bleeding woman was an interruption to his mission.  Of even greater significance, I must point out that she was not only physically healed; being called daughter by Jesus affirms that she was spiritually saved by her faith in him.  [See John 3:16-18, Romans 2:11, Galatians 3:26-28, Mark 5:21-34, Leviticus 15:25, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:12, Romans 7:16-17]


Women are entrusted to do great works by God.
Esther: “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law.  And if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16

            Esther was used by God to bring a screeching halt to Haman’s plot of Jewish annihilation, which enabled the ancestral line to continue from Abraham to Jesus.  Her statement above reflects a confidence I also see in God’s people of the New Testament: “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).  A more prevalent great work that God entrusts women with is that of being a wife and mother.
            God created women to be helpers, not in inferiority to men, but as part of a unique relationship designed by him as Creator.  In marriage, man and woman become one.  The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church, and the wife is to respectfully submit to his leadership.  Such an excellent wife is declared more precious than jewels, and is entrusted to teach the generations of women behind her.  Of course, single women are similarly to walk faithfully as helpers and teachers of God’s goodness.  [See Genesis 2:18, Ephesians 5:22-33, Proverbs 31:10-31, Titus 2:3-5 & 11-15]

            In short, women are valued by God!  He created us, loves us, and desires that we be united with Christ as heirs in his kingdom.  Our value lies not in whether we can do what men do.  Our value is not in whether we provide sexual pleasure.  Our value lies in being given life by the God of the universe.  My value is found in my relationship with God, being forgiven by him and loved as a daughter!


For further exploration:
 
 

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