Posted on 02/01/2008 7:52:05 AM PST by Jonathan
A Question to Ponder
It may too late in the process, but I thought we should ask this question: What is Gods view of a woman as the head of a nation? How we answer that question will, of course, betray our system of Bible interpretation; so, lets ask the text.
In the midst of his pronouncement of awful judgment, Isaiah states as part of that judgment, As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
If this were a simple exception, we might pass it by without asking what it means to the whole of mankind. If the scripture speaks for itself, without our isolating texts, then the evidence is compelling. We would begin by asking some overarching questions: Whom did God choose to write the Scriptures? Who did Christ choose as His disciples? Who are those entrusted with the biblical leadership of the local church? This list is a yard long. The short list that includes Deborah and the great lady of Proverbs 31 is the exception, not the rule.
Dont Miss the Point
This has absolutely nothing to do with the value God places on women. Godly women are important and are greatly used of our Lord, but always within assigned roles. I thank God every day for my godly mother and my godly wife. During my more than thirty-seven years as a pastor, some wonderful women were placed by God to serve with distinction in those local churches. Their servants spirits were an inspiration to everyone who knew them.
The protection and grace extended by God to women is a great witness to the heart of biblical Christianity. The elevation of women to a place of respect, as found in the Bible, is in marvelous contrast to other religions. None of this, however, gives us the answer to the proposed question.
Nor is the question answered by the law of any land. I chuckle when I imagine anyone suggesting that Jezebel was a fine individual just because she was a queen! It is true that God sets up and deposes rulers. Romans 13:1 says clearly that the powers that be are ordained of God. This tells us that God is sovereign, but it doesnt answer the question.
One More Time
So, what is Gods view of a woman ruling a nation? Feminists would say there should be no job limitations for women. Those who isolate texts would say on this issue that it is limited to marriage or to the local church; however, that serves only to reveal their system of interpretation. Philosophers would say that it makes a difference if the woman in question is a godly woman. These approaches only frustrate the discussion, because with them we are still asking man what he thinks; and man is such a flawed source.
We end up right back where we began. What does the text say? It says that in the middle of an awful judgment the people get what they deserve, and women rule over them.
In 3 words or less, I believe it would be: “Iron My Shirt”
Who was this promise made to.... The following is what was actually said....
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, "Get thee out of thy country, (do you know what that country was?) and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
And *I* will make of thee a great nation, and *I* will bless thee , and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And *I* will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall *ALL* families of the earth be blessed."
Jacob/Israel had not even been born yet.
Carry on.
nor Queen Elizabeth...
I just try to remember that we're reading someone else's mail when we read Paul's letters. That helps put it in perspective.
"Terrible judgment" my keester.
No, HE wasn’t essentially saying that - I was. Non-Seq was just responding to me.
If a godly woman were running for office this would be an interesting issue to discuss. But since Hillary is the antithesis of a godly woman, the discussion doesn’t fit any real world situation we’re currently facing.
The world expects the US to negotiate for peace at all costs, so we do, even Bush. As a Christian, I would just say to the world, Peace will come to Israel when Jesus returns, so quit wasting blood, time and money.
Rice is a good person with right ideas and abilities, so I would consider her for president, as I do all running. So far, all my picks have quit or never ran in the first place.
It had “chuckles” in the “reply to” line, so I naturally thought it was for me. Silly me.
“Jacob/Israel had not even been born yet.
Carry on.”
So, it only applied to Abraham an only before Israel was born? Oh, I see. Silly me I thought “I will” sort of implied something in the future.
I had to go back to post 30, but I found it. sorry
It’s his “back-at-cha” reply to my similar question:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1963236/posts?page=34#34
I quoted 1 Timothy 2 earlier and was told that was irrelevant because the prohibition of women being in authority over men was not in the Gospels. I will point out that 1 Corinthians isn't part of the Gospels, either.
It is.
Of course, the head of that Monarchy is Christ. And where is Christ? Within.
Greater is He who is within you that that which is in the world.
Under your own fig tree yet? ;>
The Bible talks about stoning a woman to death also, so, if hubby wants to stone her to death you're ok with that?
LOL
Monarchy for the world. Christ/God in Heaven is a different matter. If it were so, God would not have established “judges” 1st, and “given in” to wishes for 1 ruler.
Much like communism is great for a family. Terrible for a nation.
It applied to *ALL* families of this globe.... Jacob who was renamed Israel is a people NOT real estate. And again when this promise was made to *ABRAM*, his name was not yet changed... Details count and Jacob/Israel initially represented TWELVE tribes NOT one and when these tribes has their own particular 'civil war' there became two houses.... House of Israel sometimes referred to as Ephraim largest of the then tribes of Israel/Jacob NOT real estate and then that House of Judah. Details count as to what God said not words and claims of man.
No, I'm not. Can't speak for the Baptists, though.
*I* didn’t use that argument.
That’s just silly.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.