Through the middle ages, women were considered either virtuous and perfect, or evil and sinful. This tradition originates from the patriarchal stories in the Bible, whereby women are barely mentioned in comparison to the focus of the many, great men. Bible, meaning library, has 66 books where there are only four positive accounts of women and only seven negative accounts of women. Some examples are:
The Good Girls
Deborah and Jael - Judges 4
- Deborah is first introduced as a prophet and a leader, giving her high status and respect.
- In 1 Corinthians 11:5 it calls Deborah a 'prophetess', which some may consider unexpected for God to raise up a woman as a prophetess, but the New Testament clearly says that God lets women have prophecy too, and they are to practice it appropriately.
- Deborah is a judge (a shaphat) so was used greatly by God. This is a blessing, suggesting that she has unique qualities that are recognised by God.
- She is made to look even more admirable by the direct comparison in the same teaching to Jael, who broke a promise to Sisera and killed him and so is a sinful woman.
Esther - Esther 8
- The story teaches that Esther saved the Jews from Haman, by pleading to King Xerxes to put a stop to Hamans' plan to kill all the Jews.
- Once Esther reveals to the King that she is in fact a Jew herself, it shows how courageous she is. This is enhanced when she has the type of authority over the King by convincing him to save her people.
- Esther is a saviour to her people. 'Saviour' in Judaism is a title for God, putting Esther on a similar level to Jesus (God in the flesh) who, some may believe, could have some God in her.
The Bad Girls
Eve - Genesis 1-3
- Shortly after the Bible begins, the famous rebellion of Eve in the Garden of Eden is told.
- The serpent tricked Eve into thinking she could eat the fruit on the tree of knowledge of good and evil, so she "took of its fruit and ate". The consequence of this disobedience to God was pain in childbirth for women and men ruling over their wives.
Jezebel - 1 Kings 16:31
- Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, served and worshipped Baal.
- This goes against the monotheistic religion of Judaism to only worship one God.
Salome - Matthew 14:1-11
- John the Baptist had been resurrected, and Herod did not like him, but didn't kill him because he was liked by the people for being a prophet.
- Salome ordered Herod to "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.", which he had to do.
The Good Girls
Deborah and Jael - Judges 4
- Deborah is first introduced as a prophet and a leader, giving her high status and respect.
- In 1 Corinthians 11:5 it calls Deborah a 'prophetess', which some may consider unexpected for God to raise up a woman as a prophetess, but the New Testament clearly says that God lets women have prophecy too, and they are to practice it appropriately.
- Deborah is a judge (a shaphat) so was used greatly by God. This is a blessing, suggesting that she has unique qualities that are recognised by God.
- She is made to look even more admirable by the direct comparison in the same teaching to Jael, who broke a promise to Sisera and killed him and so is a sinful woman.
Esther - Esther 8
- The story teaches that Esther saved the Jews from Haman, by pleading to King Xerxes to put a stop to Hamans' plan to kill all the Jews.
- Once Esther reveals to the King that she is in fact a Jew herself, it shows how courageous she is. This is enhanced when she has the type of authority over the King by convincing him to save her people.
- Esther is a saviour to her people. 'Saviour' in Judaism is a title for God, putting Esther on a similar level to Jesus (God in the flesh) who, some may believe, could have some God in her.
The Bad Girls
Eve - Genesis 1-3
- Shortly after the Bible begins, the famous rebellion of Eve in the Garden of Eden is told.
- The serpent tricked Eve into thinking she could eat the fruit on the tree of knowledge of good and evil, so she "took of its fruit and ate". The consequence of this disobedience to God was pain in childbirth for women and men ruling over their wives.
Jezebel - 1 Kings 16:31
- Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, served and worshipped Baal.
- This goes against the monotheistic religion of Judaism to only worship one God.
Salome - Matthew 14:1-11
- John the Baptist had been resurrected, and Herod did not like him, but didn't kill him because he was liked by the people for being a prophet.
- Salome ordered Herod to "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.", which he had to do.
A good outline of these women's stories, as recorded in the Bible. Even better if you'd included your own reflection on them!
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