Does the Bible Undermine the Woman? (2)

As we forge ahead in this discourse, it is important to note that this is not another advocacy for feminism or a pitch for the battle of the sexes. We are concerned with correcting the notion that the Bible is sexist or that the God of the Bible has something against the woman.

As we pointed out in the last post, in creation both the man and the woman are equal image-bearers of God. Whatever disparity that may have reared was as a result of the Fall.

The noetic effects of sin on the minds of 'men', could be said to be responsible for the perspectives and traditions that define the cosmos as a man's world, to the disadvantage of or the demeaning posture against women.

In biblical history, at different times, we see God showing a departure from the prejudice against the woman. At the threshold of Israel's civilization as a nation, Miriam emerged as a strong player, a significant personality, and a unifying force in bringing to bear God's plan for the new nation (Ex 15). She could be said to be a stateswoman.

Ranked along with Aaron her brother (not as subordinate but as equal), who became the founding father of the Levitical priesthood, Miriam was known as "the prophetess," and led the choir of maidens who sang the triumph-song after the crossing of the Red Sea, just as Moses led the menfolk (she was eminently skilled in music). This was even before the Levitical order was instituted, which of course turned out to be a predominantly male leadership.

In Micah 6:4, God reminds Israel of His dealings with them and mentioned Miriam along with Moses and Aaron as a leader who God used to bring them deliverance out of slavery.

Certainly, a misogynistic God wouldn't have given a Miriam the spotlight, neither would a sexist Bible have recorded the account of her strong leadership, especially in a patriarchy.

Some have argued that the role of women was limited to the prophetic, and not extended to the priesthood, as the priests (who were strictly men) were meant to teach the laws of God, thereby forbidding women from the teaching ministry.

What should not be forgotten is that the Aaronic priesthood was a product of a patriarchal structure that virtually excluded women from Jewish formal education, and since it took some formal education to teach, it follows that only the crop of those enlisted would be placed in the roles that require such education.

Moreover, the Levitical priesthood, which is the reference point of those insisting on "male-only" priesthood, was imperfect, limited, and temporary (Hebrews 7). The priesthood of Christ, which was typified by Melchizedek, takes away every inhibition in the priesthood order— gender, social, racial, and any other.

In my next post, we will consider another example of the departure from the norm, as orchestrated by God to affirm His disposition to the woman.

To be continued ...