Women's Crucial Calling

Many modern thinkers assert or affirm that the biblical speakers and writers were "patriarchal." They assume that the biblical speakers and writers were "male dominant" throughout society at virtually all levels. It is certainly true that throughout history, ANCIENT AND MODERN, males in certain parts of the world and in certain times of history have advocated that males are superior and women are inferior. Some church denominations champion and support this view. BUT HAVE YOU READ THE BIBLE?

As we continue our journey through the Book of Exodus, in the very first chapter--and through the Book of Exodus, WOMEN HAVE A VERY CRUCIAL CALLING among God's people AND in the whole world. How could anyone engage in a study of the Book of Exodus without spending significant thought and preaching and discussion about WOMEN in this important inspired biblical book? Several scholars are beginning to realize the importance of women throughout the Bible, including the Book of Exodus. Just recently, in 2008, Shera Aranoff Tuchman and Sandra E. Rapoport published a book entitled Moses' Women, published by KTAV Publishing House, Inc., Jersey City, New Jersey. This is a very responsible, scholarly work. I hope you will read it carefully!!!

For this brief daily blog, let me mention only a few texts dealing with important WOMEN in the Book of Exodus.

1. Shiphrah and Puah, Hebrew midwives, saved numerous baby BOYS when Pharaoh and his henchmen commanded them to KILL these babies, because they "feared God." (Exodus 1:15-22). Where were all the "courageous, valiant, bold" Hebrew males who risked their lives to save their baby boys who were responsible for bringing them into the world? How could any true male Christian vilify the works and activities and efforts and functions of godly women among God's community when we all realize and know what tremendous ways women deliver the human race in so many ways?

2. Jochebed, the wife of Amram, the mother of Miriam, Aaron, and Moses (Exodus 6:20), risked her life to save her baby BOY Moses by hiding him, and protecting him until Pharaoh's daughter took Moses into her home to raise her in high places in Egypt (Exodus 2:1-10). Why didn't Amram step forth to protect his newborn baby boy? Moses survived and became a great influence in Israel BECAUSE a WOMAN saved his life and enabled him to grow to manhood. How could any true Christian fail to joyfully and openly celebrate the courage and risk and determination and perseverance of MOTHERS like Jochebed?

3. Pharaoh's daughter, a FOREIGNER, paid royal money to support Jochebed and to raise Moses, an Israelite [one of the chosen people of God], out of human compassion for a baby BOY. Much like the Good Samaritan [a FOREIGNER], Pharaoh's daughter defended and protected a male HEBREW [a Christian?], Moses, knowing the danger of adopting her child (Exodus 2:5-10). How could any true Christian look the other way and not appreciate good WOMEN who defend and protect Christians themselves? This does not make sense.

4. Miriam, the older sister of Aaron and Moses, the oldest child of Jochebed, watched carefully to make sure her little baby BROTHER Moses was safe until she was spared by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:5, 7-8). Side by side with Aaron and Moses, Miriam encouraged and guided the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness. For example, after the crossing of the Red Sea, Miriam, now a prophet of God, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the WOMEN went out after HER with tambourines and with dancing. And MIRIAM sang to them:
"Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously;
horse and rider he has thrown into the sea" (Exodus 15:20-21), the same song all the Israelites proclaimed (Exodus 15:1-18). Micah 6:4 says that God "sent before the Israelites Moses, Aaron, and Moses." Do these and similar biblical passages sound like Old Testament speaker and writers were "patriarchal"?

5. Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, priest of Midian, a FOREIGNER, became the wife of Moses, which soon gave birth to two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exodus 18:3-4). When Moses and Zipporah and their sons were returning from Midian to Egypt with God's commission to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, ZIPPORAH SAVED MOSES' LIFE when God sought to kill Moses, because Moses was still unconvinced and uncommitted to motivate the Israelites to depart from Egypt (Exodus 4:24-26). Do the inspired biblical speakers and writers teach and proclaim that WOMEN were of little or no use, according to the Book of Exodus? Moses would have died on the way from Midian to Egypt if a WOMAN had not intervened and saved her life!!!

This is just the tip of the iceberg. The ten commandments are all vital teachings about WOMEN and MEN. Some are very specific: second command: punishing CHILDREN [male and female] for the iniquity of PARENTS [male and female]; fourth command: on the Sabbath day, do not do any work, "your SON or your DAUGHTER"; fifth: Honor your FATHER AND your MOTHER; seventh: Do not commit adultery [male or female]; tenth command: you shall not COVET your neighbor's WIFE. Laws about WOMEN are "everywhere" throughout the Book of Exodus and, in fact, Exodus through Deuteronomy. For example, Exodus 21:1-11 {see verses 20-21, 26-27] gives instruction about MALE AND FEMALE slaves. Exodus 21:22-25 gives an important law concerning a PREGNANT WOMAN. Exodus 22:21-24 issues powerful statutes from God about the care of widows. The list goes on and on.

Human thought has led multitudes to think that WOMEN belong to an inferior place in society and in religion. We are the recipients of the views of our ancestors. Maybe it is time for us to RE-STUDY the whole view of WOMEN as presented in the Bible. The Book of Exodus is a good place to begin. [More thoughts in future days].

John Willis