Women in the Bible

[Rachie]

I wrote this about a decade ago and never shared it. I know many women have issues around the treatment of women in the Bible. For me as a black female I don't have an issue with that as God has been a loving father to me and blessed me as his child. I do cover my head when I pray to God and enter church. Of course this is one sided on women's issues as it is, feel free to turn this into a debate on women's issues. I thought it would be quite a nice post in the summer down time. There is book I would recommnd on women's issues to look at which is callled Herbert Lockyear Women of the Bible.

As a female it is quite fitting to look at women prophets in the Bible. The gift of prophesy God does not distinguish based on gender. Women prophets were present in the Old Testament and the New Testament. A prophet means that someone proclaims a divine message from God. In the Old Testament, Miriam was a prophetess (Exodus 15-20) "Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron.... Sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider. He has thrown into the Sea!"
So to was Deborah in the Old Testament a prophetess (Judges 4:4). Deborah was a prophetess and judge and she led the children of Israel to peace for forty years by her prophesies she gave to Barak to go to battle against Sisera. Huldah was also a prophetess (2 Kings 22:14) (2 Chronicles 34:22). Huldah was sought out by King Josiah to authenticate the Book of Law. In the Old Testament Noadiah is also a female prophetess (Nehemiah 6:14). Herbert Lockyer in his book "All the Women of the Bible" (pg 41) describes prophets and prophetesses as being the media between God and his people Israel in the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, Anna (Luke 2:36) was referred to as a prophetess. So to did Philip the evangelist have four daughters who were prophetesses (Acts 21:3).

The gift of prophecy is one of the seven spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.There are differences in ministries and activities, but God works in all of these gifts (1 Corinthians 12-6). Through prophecy, the church becomes edified "But he who prophesies edifies the church"(1 14 Corinthians:3-4). In the book of Corinthians, women are instructed to cover their heads when they prophesy (1 Corinthians 11 4-6). Timothy in asking that women remain silent in the church, was not writing about women who had been given a ministry from God (1 Timothy 2:10). "And God has appointed these in the church, first the apostles, second prophets, third teachers, "(1 Corinthians 12 28).

In the book of Joel (Joel 2:28), it is written that God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh in the last days and on daughters.

Women clearly have had a long history serving God as prophetesses through the ages to the present day.

 

[Mary Terry]

The minister at my church recently said that it is unfair to blame Eve for eating the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge because she was tricked by the serpent (devil). But that Adam was fully to blame because he knew what he was eating and was not tricked.

I never thought of it that way but I kind of like it.

 

[Rachie]

In another forum this topic was posted and an interesting discussion was had. A forum member replied and said what I found really interesting was that Joanna, Phoebe and Priscilla where important female figures in the New Testament as well. I don't think they had minsitering roles though.

Hopefully I plan to take some time out tomorrow and going towards more country air and a switch off which will involve quite a bit of time on a trainI think I will stall my research for there for myself on these three women just out of interest. My dad has actually filled me in a bit on the role of Priscilla. For some unknwon reason these women escaped me.

I sent this email to myself to able to look into it on my journey. May be it might something for you to look into yourself if interested.

Joanna Luke 8: 1-3 23:55 24:10
Priscilla Acts 18:2 18 26 Romans 16:3 1 Corinthians 16:19 2 Timothy 4:19
Phoebe Romans 1 6 1: 2

This topic we discussed in High School of course i'm sure and there also are nuns, sisters as well who serve. I did mention in the other thread that we cannot deny that at that time Jesus' 12 disciples were males. I know with Church history that things can prorgess.

Happy reading to me.

 

[Rachie]

I think that this probably could have fitted in the Holy Spirit thread, but that kind of veered a bit and I think it is best to let that one go for me.

I am quite traditional in many ways, but I support everyone to do what they want.

I am not certain when the term Christianity came into use, but I haven't come across it myself in the Bible.

I see myself as more as a disciple of Christ, but I still have issues at times saying that as there were no women among Jesus' 12 minstering roles disciples. Life has changed since then. However, I still struggle with that term at times. A follower feels less personal to me. The word believers was used as well.

I don't know what has happened. I have some personal experiences and there are uncountable people who are using the prophetic role and using this appropriately today in ministering roles today. In fits in here as that seemed to be a role for women in the Old Testatment in the church and Anna too was a prophetess in the New Testatment. Something has happened to damage this ministering role in the public perception for some people and that is a shame. Interesting topic though.

Experience I have had, you get some ministers who may not tell you correct messages from God which can stir up trouble for that indvidual and harm some families. Jesus did say as well though to test the spirits.

You also can get perhaps those who have turned it into a money making exercise or just to boost their own ego. I have pondered this and thought perhaps some leaders may have served God greatly in their life and be great in the Kingdom of God. However, perhaps in their great age with brain changes they may be affected too, this though shouldn't alter their work for God in their life and I think for sure God has given them grace in their old age for some people. Many old people will be fine.

Nobody knows how God fully uses this role today. I think perhaps in today's world some of this anoiting is going of the direction of those who experience limitation in life.