Friday, April 30, 2010

I AM WOMAN HEAR ME SUBMIT

The role of women in American culture is drastically different than Biblical times. Have we ignored scriptures that state women are subserviant to men, that they are the weaker vessel? Was that just meant for the Jewish culture of that time? If part of the Bible is relevant for us today and part of it isn't, how do we know which is relevant and which isn't? This place of women in the kingdom of God is an issue that has been glossed over, excused, ignored, and taken to extremes both ways.

Women have become leaders over men, become teachers over men, even in our churches. Women are seen as humans just as capable as men. Women fight along side of men in our military. On the other hand, in Eastern cultures, especially in the Middle East, we see women degraded and treated lower than dogs. What does the Bible have to say about the role of women and what is God's perfect plan for role of women in this world?

Here are some scriptures that speak to this relevant issue. I would love to hear what others have to say about women and what their role should be in our society.


All Bible quotes from the ESV:
"And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man." Genesis 2:22

"A woman shal not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woma's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 22:5

"And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman." Ruth 3:11

"Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

"For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage." Romans 7:2

"But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of the wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." 1 Corinthians 11:3

"Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?" 1 Corinthians 11:13

"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness." 1 Timothy 2:11

"the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." 1 Corinthians 14:34,35

"For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands." 1 Peter 3:5

"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit." Joel 2:28,29

I am woman. Hear me give praises to the Lord God Almighty and hear me speak words of love to my husband and to all living things that God has made. I am woman.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Hmmm...our local council has just been sued for paying men thousands of pounds more than to women, doing the equivalent work...

Brenda said...

The Bible has much to say about the role of a woman, but the main one is to be a good wife and mother. To be discreet, chaste, keepers of the home. The aged women are to teach the younger ones.

Role of the Wife in the Bible

"encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:4-5
"get married, bear children, keep house" 1 Timothy 5:14
"But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." 1 Timothy 2:15

About witnessing for God,-- A woman was the first one to tell the news about the Risen Christ.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
When a woman fears the Lord, she will try to do what He commands.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Women have different roles in society as men. The most noteable being that we bear children. We also think differently to men. We are not the same as men.

HOWEVER, we are equally loved by God and have equal value as men. And we are ALL asked to submit to God.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I don't think I'll touch this one. You are a brave one. ;)

I agree with God's Word. ;)

Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner earlier. So nice to visit this way. I love your blog titles. It made me smile to read your profile. I look forward to visiting.

Anonymous said...

I struggled with this issue. I used to think that I was off the hook when it came to Christian leadership.

That was until I heard a Christian teacher say, "Men and women both have Jesus in them, and that Jesus wants to reach people for the Kingdom."

So I guess as long as the Jesus in us is having His way, we should be doing pretty well. We are called to be disciples of the Good News!

Thanks for such an important topic!

Saleslady371 said...

When I think of this topic, the Joel scripture comes to mind. I see God pouring out His spirit on men and women to achieve His purposes. We all have to submit and it is a strength, to do so, not a weakness. Then I also think of our different personalities and how some women are very strong willed and some men are very gentle personalities. The answer is to submit to God, train us in His Word and let Him use us accordingly!

Unknown said...

I just wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such an encouraging comment.

I'm so glad it you think from a professional standpoint that I've brought the issues of depression down to an everyday-understanding.

The post probably seemed a little disjointed, however, because the blog you were on is only my notes (like handouts) for the classes I teach at my church. You can hear an audio recording of my teaching, which will make the notes seem much more intelligent. :) There's a link on both of my blogs for that in the sidebar.

Or you can read the actual blog posts I've done on depression by going here:

http://www.godspeakstoday.net/search/label/Depression

I would love additinal feedback.

Blessings,
Sandy

Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

Oops, meant to leave the previous comment under my other account, which takes you to my real profile and blogs.

Blessings,
Sandy

Jennifer Richardson said...

This feels like tossing a dixie cup full of water (or gasoline?) at a housefire, but I'm gonna give it a friendly heave anyway.

I think many of our weird and wacky bondages(in Christendom) may come from taking scriptures and trying to sort and file them into our grid of notions we already keep about life and God and ourselves. We can't possibly understand the massive heart of God by simply reading (even studying) a topic and hoping to adjust our behaviors to conform to the ideals we assign Him.

I honestly don't think we have a clear picture of real submission ...God's perspective. It's a heart thing, for sure...not a role we play. I've seen it lived out loud only rarely, and only in situations where the respect and submission is so MUTUAL that it seems effortless and as if infused with the very nature of God. I don't think we get there without the Helper taking us(which involves our submission to Him...scary, tricky stuff). Like everything else He does in us, I imagine it looks messy and flawed and quite imperfect.

I believe (this is just my two cents) that if we, as women, engage in our real lives and become our true selves...in authentic relationship with the Lord and others...this is our life's work. It is our only hope of becoming submissive to God and the authority He places into our lives because that must be done from our real hearts. Fake submission...playing a role...is no more life-giving than rebellion.
And only connection with the Lord will make that possible. So we pursue Him. Everything else, He works in us. We relax, enjoy the journey, and rest in His more-than-enoughness.

All of the "shoulds" just muddy the water. We were born for more than this.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hello, new friend! Delighted to meet you! Your meditations here are very profound...something I think truly speaks to the deepest part of the heart of a modern woman. I will have to peruse your other blogs if this is an example of what I'll find here... terrific! Thank you for stopping by, and extending your hand of friendship! You have summed up the underlying serious message of my humorous post so beautifully. And it is a privilege to have been able to share it with you. God bless you! ~Janine

Angela said...

I SO connected to Jennifer's comment..wow...

Fake submission...playing a role...is no more life-giving than rebellion.
And only connection with the Lord will make that possible. So we pursue Him. Everything else, He works in us. We relax, enjoy the journey, and rest in His more-than-enoughness.

I did the 'fake' submission, which only made more of a tyrant shrew towards my husband...

HE who began the good work in me, WILL complete it...it is a process, this submitting towards my husband...a process that I praise God HE is in control because the 'shoulds' I was doing before was making it a complete mess..

Thanks for sharing the Word of God. I love it! Also thank you for linking up on Fearless Friday. praying and joining you in standing in the gap.

Joyfulsister said...

Being in Ministry with my husband for over 20 years I find submissive as respecting my husband and praying for him as the leader of our home just as Christ os the head of the church. just as he will in turn respect me as a woman of God and his helpmate. These are just mt thoughts :) Thanks for dtopping by it is always a blessing to hear from you.

Hugz Lorie

Joyfulsister said...

Sorry about the errors it's time for bed LOL and my eyes are so sleepy lol.

Gregg Metcalf said...

Great post!

Brian Ray Todd said...

A blessing to read the comments. Surely a topic that the holy spirit has risen, as my son brought up the out of balance relationships today and associated chaos in society today. My last blog post was about this subject. Note that everyone agrees that seeking the Lord first, the word of God and following Jesus is the answer in this politically correct era. thank you for tackling this live issue. Blessings, Brian