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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