There are many more examples of a woman having an impact on God’s people and for His purpose. Women are by no means least in God’s Kingdom and have the ability by equity to earn places as a servant, teacher and leader within the church. She of God’s image does this by Grace for that is her prime quality and although often time not recognized by most men within the church; is constantly looked to for support in key areas and ministries such as intercession prayers, vigils, hospitality and visiting the sick and comforting those left behind when someone has died. The Christian woman fill many roles as God intended as is epitomized in examples such as Mother Theresa; who took care of the diseased outcasts and paved the way for others to admire and follow not only other women but men as well.
As stated, “God is respecter of no person” - Acts 10:34 which includes women who are as divinely created as a man processing many attributes that true leaders recognize and employ for Righteousness sake and when it comes to Spiritual wisdom, understanding and knowledge has equal ability and recognition as stated, “And do not reject the teaching of your mother” - Prob. 1:8. It is not ironic or coincidental but by the Holy Spirit that the wise sayings of Proverbs not only give woman an identity for this source at the beginning but also dedicates and concludes an entire section of a good woman at the end with statements like, " for her price is far above rubies" and "her own works praise her in the gates" - Prob. 31:10-31.
God is making a point of just how critical it is for a Christian woman to heed to her Righteous calling. Whether she is single, married; a widow or celibate; the woman has been given a place of honor at the Lord’s table to be both the natural and Spiritual example of Godly love for her role and is what God uses to bind all other aspects of leadership, servitude and Sanctifications. She does it with her inherent Grace and single minded dedication to those she serves and the vision she follows and fights for. The Christian woman is God’s gift to the human race and although not perfect still manages to fill voids often left by the man; nurturing, balancing and gifting those in her charge.
Flush it Out! - I am woman, divinely made in the Glory of God.
God, as indicated by the inspired Word gives more attention to the creation of women not only with more narrative than the creation of man but in the intuitive description as stated, “made He a woman, and brought her to the man” - Gen. 2:22. God took more interest to create, fashion and detail the woman as someone wanting to impress another; namely the man, when she was presented to him like one would a gift. God wanted man to not only like the woman but more to love her bodily, mentally and spiritually. God also indicated her place and the vision she was to be for him. The women is made from a man’s rib which is below his shoulder and head indicating her key to his leadership as well as his in sacrificing for her. She is the one who extents his borders in support; working together for a common goal as stated, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” - Gen. 2:24. God’s Blessings starts with the unity of a husband and wife; and Adam and Eve never had biological parents! So who would they be leaving?
God is both the father and mother. As the Father; He is their source for Truth and knowledge with the Garden as the mother for nurturing growth, respectively. Leaving this utopia is God’s instruction for dominion of the world outside of Eden. This is why God tells the man to ‘cleave’, hold on to and rely on the woman for success with the principle of unity. Unity of the body, mind and spirit. God’s plan starts with this kind of unity but certainly is not limited by it. For the principle of unity will produce desired results for good as well as evil. What is explicit in this sixth day creative process is hierarchy, unison in unity and purpose. No other creation during Genesis reveals a relationship that is intimate, respectful and harmonious. Now, to be clear; single women can have and has had these attributes as they ultimately formulate this with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. What are critical to God are obedience, reverence and humility; for which He is constantly looking for to demonstrate His Glory through as stated, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him”. - 2 Chron. 16:9. The Woman is uniquely designed for this relationship with God and His Glory.
Rahab - Without her, Joshua would never have been able to spy out the Kingdom of Jericho. Rahab born into idolatry but is converted as she recognizes the God of Israel as stated, “for the Lord your God, He is God in Heaven above, and in Earth beneath” - Jos. 2:11. Rahab seizes the opportunity given to her by God to aid Joshua; God’s Anointed man and risk death for God’s will. She also states her claim for Salvation not only for her but her family as stated, “Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token” - Jos. 2:12. She enters into a covenant with the spies because she is within God’s will. Rahab demonstrates the heart of God that anyone who turns from their disobedient ways and confesses the true God of the universe will be Blessed and given a place in His Kingdom. Rahab who married one of the spies, is the mother of Boaz and is given honor and virtue in Jesus’ genealogy as stated, ”And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab (Rahab)” - Matt. 1:5. The woman is intuitive to see “the writing on the wall” and when she takes initiative; the results can not only benefit her but often others. Such is the unselfish nature of a woman inspired by God.
Rebekah - The wife of Issac who gave birth to the twins, Esau and Jacob. Rebekah opposes Esau preferring Jacob to continue their father’s Anointing and legacy. Although not recorded I believe she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to take action to do so. This was because even through tradition dictated the eldest son, Esau to inherit the Blessing, she saw as God saw the unrighteous heart of Esau and the Righteous heart of Jacob. We cannot boil her decision to a mere selfish scheme because of her favoritism because there was too much at stake here for God not to have orchestrated His will in choosing Jacob to father the twelve tribes of Israel. Rebekah did her part in facilitating Jacob’s ordination by his father as stated, “(the Lord said to her) and the elder shall serve the younger” - Gen. 25:23. Rebekah breaks tradition and inadvertently dishonors Issac only because she observes a higher call and that is to love and honor God first and then her husband. She demonstrates objectiveness and does not allow emotions to deter her wisdom, understanding and knowledge of the events.
Esther - Without her there would be no Israel. Esther is strategically placed by God in a pagan kingdom for such a time as needed as stated,”And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight” - Es. 2:17. She became queen even though she was a Jew and used her influence to save the chosen people when evil tried to eradicate them through the king’s right hand man Haman. Esther’s God given qualities come through when needed to not only secure the Jews but aid her king to rid the kingdom of those who would abuse his trust in them. She does this not by subversion but by appealing to the king’s heart and headship resulting in the king pleasing her as well as eliminating the cause of the injury. Esther gains not only the king’s heart but his trust as well to the point that he allows her and Modecai to issue a declaration of their own thoughts that he endorses as stated, “concerning the Jews, write as you see fit, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for a decree which is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring may not be revoked” - Es. 8:8. Esther shows how dependent God can be with a woman as He entrusts her with a task that requires composure, diplomacy, planning and timing. She had to know the disposition of the king and work towards exposing the threat without overstepping or offending the king’s pride. This takes muti-tasking and skill that few men process let alone can implement. Esther wins with Godly Grace and Power because she humbled herself to her mission.
Any leader worth the sacrifice of a vision knows it's easy to cast a vision but to grow it requires tremendous support from a base that is usually connected to a woman in one form or another. This is why men tend to sacrifice for the woman and his family to prolong his heritage through them. This is reflected in Jesus’ life during His ministry and especially at the cross where it was mainly the women that were His disciples and followers gave witness with His prepared death Anointing (For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial - Matt. 26:6) and His sacrifice on the cross (And many women were there beholding afar off - Matt. 27:55) but especially His vision’s purpose by His Resurrection (the two men asked them (the women), Why do you look for the living among the dead? - Lk. 24:5). All three examples of the woman’s Sanctified role is the fulfillment of the Old Testament where it was the priest; a man ordained for the Blessing, Death and Life of God’s will. Where by disobedience of the first woman’s hand; mankind was burden with pain, suffering and misery; but by God’s Grace and redemption all women after Jesus is restored to the original woman’s call for and to give life in the things of God’s Kingdom. A wife’s anointing (endorsement) of the husband is in keeping with God’s will and aligns for the Blessing to function. Of course there are exceptions to this.
God never forsakes His love for those who because of deceptions abandons His rules of His Kingdom but who through the Fruit of the Spirit, receives His Grace for restoration of His intended relationship. God has a heart for the women who not only loves Him but loves His purposes. The chosen people have had their share of trials and tribulations, often incubated by a woman’s emotional frenzy for justification but really is given life by man’s love for the woman’s satisfaction. The Old Testament starts with the man’s failure to coin a phrase, “to put his woman in place” and ends with a woman accepting her place as ordained; but more importantly; her husband’s steadfast Faith in his God’s will.
As Christians, we only are to take our identity as revealed by the Word and is in Christ Jesus. And just as men, when women detour from this identity, then her role not only becomes confused but is a trial and hindrance for God’s Kingdom promises and purposes. It was Eve who first was deceived by the serpent because as a woman, beauty is implicit in her design but was twisted by the pride imprinted by satan through her eyes as stated, “it was a delight to the eyes” - Gen. 3:6. Often, it is this vanity that leads many women to sin while for men it is ego. The implication is that satan knows our design and uses what is meant for a Godly benefit to be the very destruction and murder of God’s image in the woman and man.
Now, to be clear! The woman has done wonderful things and is equal in God’s sight and in many cases are more suited in certain areas of the family; the workplace and leadership. They are indispensible to the man and the ministries of God. The world has abused women leading to disobedience of God’s Kingdom and without clear wisdom, understanding and knowledge; the woman constantly is in search of acceptance and validity not only to the man; their children but also to each other. For some of the religious mind, it is easy to say, “It’s the woman’s fault why things are upside down in this world”; but this is not only chauvinistic but also irresponsible on their part, especially as a man. The woman does carry the burden of some injustices in this world and many have had to bear the consequences of their actions that were generated from such selfish reasons especially when generated from perspectives of envy, lust and pride.
The woes of mankind start with a woman and ends with one. Adam named her Eve meaning life and a key sign in the Heaven’s before Jesus returns is the woman as stars and planets come into alignment not seen for thousands of years. God’s symbolism for a woman is implied Revelation of seasons and judgments; and is significant in everyday activities; including birth, life and death. We cannot do without the woman and her impact forges long term results that either sustains or destroys all that has been built for God, country and inheritance. Outside of the obvious physiological differences between a woman and a man; both are equal in the ability to start, continue and finish any task they are faced with. What some men see as advantages for superiority is constantly dispelled both by history and influence by the woman who uses their God given gift to purr rather than roar. If this offends some women, it is only because their innate identity has been twisted, smudged and hidden by the world.
Sept. 20, 2017.
I am Woman; hear me purr?
Although not precisely written, it is understood that Adam stood there as Eve was tempted, for immediately after biting the apple, she gave it to Adam as stated. “And gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat” - Gen. 3:6. Now, man’s prime role is vision. Adam did not cast the death vision that would result from eating this apple and basically gave into Eve’s desire for satisfaction. This is repeated with Abram, who gives in to Sarah’s impatience and decides to fulfill God’s promise from a carnal mindset with Hagar producing an offspring which is today’s Israel’s prime enemies. This death vision is struck down when Mary accepts her role by accepting the Immaculate Conception and Joseph’s reverence for God’s hand on Mary for redemption. For in those days, a man’s shame affected his integrity and honor not only for his family but also his future with his peers. Joseph walked by Faith in humility for nine months before any credible authority endorsed the immaculate conception of Jesus as stated, “and (the wise men) worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh” - Matt. 2:11.
No, I did not get it wrong; contrary to the infamous statement, “I am woman, hear me roar”! The Word is right and the world is wrong. For a woman is perfectly made and God has a specific place for her in His heart. For some, this may be offensive whether secular or Christian but the Spirit knows the Truth of it and is made clear in the Bible and not by the world’s twisting of God’s ordination of a woman.
Joseph’s life outlines what God requires of a man as he is given a vision to forge ahead for as stated, “He (Jesus) shall save His people” - Matt. 1:21. Mary is able to walk in her Anointing of Grace because she remained humble but also did not create or maintain strife with her husband which enabled Joseph to be Spiritually led. As inspired by the Spirit, the author records an ideal relationship between a man and a woman with the focus on the woman. The woman has the ability designed within her to finesse, orchestrate and encourage her husband, family and those outside. She is physically opposite to a man to be pleasing, vulnerable and relational to the man as well as having equal mentality and spiritual acumen. All qualities that disarm a man and appeals to his hidden intimate nature to protect provide and comfort those he loves and lead. Consider, the women of God who used these qualities and more to support God’s purpose and vision carried by the man.
Then why is the man ordained to be leader and head of a household or for that matter most Christian endeavors? God is perfect! Therefore whatever and however He does it; is perfectly established. The man was created first and given the breath of God, not only indicating life but primarily the Spirit of God. The man is ordained with the responsibility to administer the ways, vision and ethos of God’s Kingdom while the woman is ordained for it support, growth and longevity. The woman is ordained for a more important and critical role than the man. No vision can succeed or stay alive without a force that not only supports it but also feeds it.