Isaiah 43:14-45:10 / Ephesians 3 / Psalm 68:1-18 / Proverbs 24:1-2
The voices of God’s people have been silenced throughout all of history. Some allowed themselves to be silenced, and some rose to speak regardless of the consequences. There has been a trend in the earth that the voices of women ought to be silenced, quieted, and subjected to authoritarian rule by those who believe women are not equal in value to men. Before I go further, this will not be a “man bashing” post. I don’t abide by such behavior.
All voices are equal in value according to the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact, when one reads the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) it is obvious that Jesus treated women as equals. Yes, the roles are different because men and women are each equipped and suited toward different callings. Men are stronger physically, although watching a woman give birth makes me wonder how strength is measured.
Most women are more nurturing and are therefore the ones who take the main role in raising children. Both genders are gifted to work inside or outside the home. Why am I speaking about this? While reading Psalm 68 today, I found an interesting verse in The New Living Translation. Verse 11 says, “The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng.”
This Psalm is about victory over the enemies of God’s people. Verse one begins with May God arise, may His enemies be scattered; may His foes flee before Him. I believe it is a good day for God to arise! When we arise, not much may happen because we are not that scary. But when Holy Spirit is within us and we arise, world watch out! When God arises…. It’s over!
As God’s enemies are being scattered, the Lord is announcing victory and the women are telling the story of victory through God. That sounds like some women preachers to me! Typically, the men went into battle, coming home with stories of victory to tell their families. I’m sure the women enjoyed repeating these stories among the community as the men recovered from war. Remember also that many of the stories from scripture began as oral stories. Someone did eventually write them down, thankfully. I’m glad we have the stories and histories to read today.
What about these women being trusted with the message of victory? Back to how Jesus felt about women. They traveled with Him, supported Him and were part of His team. It was the women who discovered the empty tomb and went to tell the other followers of Jesus what had happened. It was a Samaritan woman who Jesus met at the well, telling her all about her life. What did she do? She went into her village and told everyone about what Jesus had done.
Women’s voices have value. Women have a message to share that God has put within them. Blessed is the man who is secure enough in his calling to support and push forward the women in his life. I am blessed to have a man like that. He knows who he is in Christ and is therefore able to cheer me on as I pursue who God has called me to be. What about you? Are you using your voice to further God’s Kingdom? Are you pushing past the resistance? I encourage you to open your mouth and let God fill it with His message!
