INTRODUCTION
To the one who has yet to ask God questions and wait on Him to teach them the truth, the Bible reads like a text concerned only with male voices and the "patriarchy." Genealogies seem to be chronicled with mostly male names, as though the offspring were begotten without mothers. Many find God's word offensive, full of hatred, and not progressive. But that is farthest from the truth, and God's truth will cease to be what it is if it could be changed at will and by circumstances. One cannot change the validity of God's word whether they believe it or not but they can grow in wisdom to see from God's perspective, and thus love His ways that are far excellent. Some may think they can never agree with God's word because of the many "contradictions." I will only engage that thought/contention to the extent by which the thinker desires to know God for themself, to love Him, and thus search Him out as hidden treasure to know the real meaning behind all perceived and superficial (yet not concrete nor fundamental) "contradictions." I agree, that to the unlearned--that is the one who has not yet learned from God through His Spirit and Word, the Bible will appear as full of contradictions. It is only by growing in Godly wisdom that one will unravel these "contradictions" and recognize them as plain truths. And so I say, do not question God but certainly, ask God many questions and wait on Him to teach you! After all, the wise will hear and increase in learning. This series of posts on women in the Bible is an attempt at collectivizing the mentions, works, and narratives of women in Scripture and sharing the profound truths and reality of godly womanhood. I, by no means, seek to set women apart as a minority or marginalized group, as though separate from the "main" story. Because in the context of Truth, women are not separate entities nor are they, second-class citizens, as some perceive. Women and men are both active participants in God's kingdom and recipients of God's grace and love. Neither is superior to the other, nor inferior. If you are a woman, and are discouraged or seem to be experiencing some cognitive dissonance in regards to relating to God, based on many misconceptions of God's word, I want to be of help! I am not the one to tell you, "just believe what it says." No, I encourage you to ask God many questions and to prepare to learn of His answers through His Spirit's leading in His word! With what I share here, I will encourage you, regardless of your background, to get to know your Heavenly Father and to see yourself through His lens!
1. A RENEWED PERSPECTIVE
There are many vain traditions and ideas we have consciously and subconsciously inherited, from those before and those around us. And such philosophies have fortified themselves in our minds, even unknowingly, although they are unstable pillars we lean on for truth, comfort, and judgment among other things. God gives us a prescription to cure us from being consumed by these things. It is necessary that we be transformed from the inside out and to learn all over again how to live but this time from our real Father and by His loving discipline and correction. READ MORE
2. WOMAN AT CREATION
We cannot mention woman without mentioning man, and we cannot mention mankind without mentioning the fulfillment of and precursor to all things--Christ. It is necessary to establish the foundation and reason for the creation of man and woman, and this reason precedes creation. God created mankind for Himself to be in a relationship with. He modeled the creation of man and woman, and thus their relationship to be a figure and representation of His relationship with His people. That collectively God's people are the bride of Christ and wife. The man was created to reflect God's role as a protector, provider, and head of the Church, and the woman was created to reflect the helpfulness, nurture, submission, and body of Christ. The head and body together make one unit which is the person. Thus, the head of the body is Christ and the body of the head is the Church. This will not change. So, as conferred to humans, these roles do not change because they are a reflection of that which is eternal and true and must therefore be consistent. READ MORE
3. MODESTY
God hates double standards far more than you think you do. In fact, His standard is Holiness, without which no one will see Him. To His, we have been called.
Modesty is for both men and women of God.
I discuss here specifically as is pertinent to women.
As we grow in our walk, we learn by the help of the Holy Spirit to embrace His will for our lives. We ditch excess and extravagance, the trends, and worldly fashions for godliness inside and out. By minimizing the concerns of the external, we can concentrate on growing spiritually without the snare of beauty and fashion idols that only serve our carnal desires. Modesty pertains to good conduct and humility in Christ...READ MORE
4. THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN
The woman described in this chapter gets a lot of hype for many reasons: other women dislike the seeming idealism that envelops her and label her character as unattainable, some try to emulate her while others despise what she represents (from their worldview and perspective). She appears to exceed the standards of modern womanhood, yet she is the embodiment of a standard: 'The Virtuous Woman'. She is to be admired and the source of her character and strength is certainly to be desired...READ MORE