When I am asked, “What does the Bible say about women”, I often point to Mary.
Mary birthed the Messiah. Let me say that again…Mary, an unwed virgin woman, who is largely believed to have been 13 or 14 when she gave birth, was chosen by the Almighty God Himself to birth the Messiah. The Savior of the world came to us by way of a woman, in the least likely of circumstances.
But isn’t that just like God? He doesn’t show up in the ways that we think He will, or how we think that He should. God, in all of His power and majesty, chose an unlikely woman to bring forth His only Son, so that the world would be reconciled back to Him. He could have chosen ANY way He wanted and yet, He chose to use women, in our femininity, to bring forth life on this earth. I dare say that alone is proof that God not only loves women, but wants to use them in mighty ways, regardless of what the world says about women.
Does the Bible say anything about femininity?
In our current culture there is a full frontal attack on women and our femininity. Honestly, there’s a full frontal attack on masculinity too, but that’s a topic for another blog. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 “be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour”.
Someone.
The enemy doesn’t see us as better lunch because we are women, but he absolutely will use the fact that we are women to divide us any way he can. He will divide us by status, such as married, unmarried, children, no children, and even create division because of color, ethnicity, working, homemaking, etc., but these are all aspects of life, not femininity.
Femininity is really just the collection of qualities or characteristics that we possess as women or girls.
Description of a Worthy Woman
The Bible shows us in Proverbs 31:10-31 what the description is of a worthy, or virtuous woman, but I think the enemy wants to divide us even here. Looking at this passage can either encourage you, or discourage you, depending on how deep-seated we are in the lies of the enemy.
10 [a]An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.
14 She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids.
16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.
18 She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].
19 She stretches out her hands to the [b]distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].
20 She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].
23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].
26 She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
27 She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,
29 “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
[c]But you excel them all.”
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].
After reading through that short passage, you may have some mixed feelings, like maybe only a fraction applies to you, or maybe you feel like none at all applies. The truth is though, this passage doesn’t have to be literal word for word applicable to have meaning for you.
I know that not every woman is married, nor has the desire to be married and/or have children. However, there are general ideas we can glean from this passage that God wants us to know and see about ourselves as women. Things like women are precious, trustworthy, and responsible. We are kind and encouraging, comforting yet strong.
My favorite verse from this passage is verse 17, which says:
“she equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong”
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What is a woman’s role according to the Bible?
See, God isn’t telling us that we have to look, act, and feel just like every other woman there is, but that we need to be close to Him and take on His strength that He offers so we may carry out whatever His plan and purpose is for our lives as Christ following women.
He wants us to imitate Christ and love others, and in doing so, our lives will reflect things such as being trustworthy and responsible, like the Proverbs 31 woman. God also isn’t telling us that we need to abandon all of our feminine qualities in order to be valuable.
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The world and the feminist agenda are calling for things like women can and should do everything a man can or should, but that is a perverted version of what God has intended for us as women, and especially as Christ-following women at that. We were designed to be and do different things. We are equal in value as people, yes. As men and women, God loves us just as much as the other, but God did not design us to do the exact same things.
There are plenty of things that men and women can, and should, do differently, but listing them here would be too much. So, I’ll close with this thought instead: God chose a young, unwed virgin woman, to bring to human life the Savior of the world who takes away all of our sin and iniquity. He loves and chooses women to do wild things in this day and age too. Seek Him, and all else will follow.
Xo, Tilly
Blog Photo by Chelsi Peter