Voices In The Wilderness!

Before I ever understood what the Bible said about the creation of woman, I learned something about the value and influence of a woman by watching two of them. 

My mother and my grandmother. 

You see, they were among the first women to shape my understanding of strength, love, sacrifice, and care. Long before I could explain what a woman’s role meant or what scripture said about her place in God‘s design, I watched womanhood lived daily.

I watched the strength and the tenderness of my mother and my grandmother. I saw how they cared for other people and carried responsibilities that went unnoticed. I saw their sacrifices, their resilience, and their wisdom expressed not only through what they said, but the lives they lived.

They taught me that strength does not have to be loud and that nurturing is not weakness. Also that compassion has power.

They taught me that a woman can influence generations simply through the way she loves, teaches, encourages, prays, and shows up for the people that God placed in their lives.

So, my understanding of the value of women did not begin with the debate about roles. It began by watching my mother and my grandmother. And perhaps that is why, when I began to look more closely at what the Bible says about women, I realized something important…

Before woman was ever formed from man’s side, she was already included in the image of God.

Created In His Image

Genesis 1:27 tells us, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

I need you all to  pay close attention, before we ever arrive at the story of Eve being formed from Adam’s side, Scripture establishes something that should never be overlooked.  Male and female were created in the image of God. 

This is powerful because it clearly shows the value of a woman was never something given to her by society. 

It was never dependent on a title.

It was never determined by her relationship status. 

It was never based upon what she could do for someone else. 

Her dignity was established by her Creator. She bears the image of God! 

And, I say this as a man, that perhaps that is where every conversation about women should begin.

Not with what society says she should be.

Nor with what others expect her to do.

But with what God declared her to be.

Simply, created in His image… 

From His Side 

Now, we arrive at Genesis 2:18, which tell us after creating Adam, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” 

Notice that God Himself recognized that Adam was alone, and God, in His wisdom, created woman. 

She was not an afterthought, but she was intentional, and part of God’s design. 

Genesis 2 tells us that God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and formed the woman from his side.

There was something deeply meaningful about this picture. Woman was not formed from the dust the same way Adam was. God took from Adam’s side.

And while scripture does not give us permission to create meanings beyond what God has written, the image itself invites us to reflect upon relationship, companionship, and the intentionality of God‘s design. She was brought into the story because God said something was missing.

“It is not good that man should be alone.“  Notice, God created someone who would share life with him. Someone with her own God-given identity.

Her own strength.

Her own wisdom.

Her own purpose.

And together, they reflected something about the fullness and beauty of God‘s creation.

Women In The Story Of God

Throughout Scripture, God continued to demonstrate that women were never insignificant to His purposes.

Their names, stories, prayers, courage, faithfulness, and influence are woven throughout the biblical story.

Deborah: Strength and Wisdom

Let’s begin in Judges 4 and 5, we meet Deborah.

Deborah was a prophetess and a judge in Israel during a difficult period in the nation’s history. People came to her for judgment, and she also provided leadership during a time when Israel needed direction.  Her story reminds us that strength and womanhood are not opposites. That women don’t need to be “like” men, but their strength is inherent in their design by God. 

Deborah was not significant because she tried to become someone else.  She walked in the assignment God had given her.  She used the wisdom, courage, and faith God placed within her.

And through her life, we see that God can use a woman to provide direction, encouragement, and leadership to an entire nation.

Ruth: Faithfulness That Reaches Beyond the Moment

Let us not forget about Ruth.  Her story did not begin with power, position, or public recognition.  It began with loss.

Yet in the middle of uncertainty, Ruth demonstrated faithfulness, loyalty, courage, and trust.  She chose to remain with Naomi and famously declared, “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”  — Ruth 1:16

Ruth reminds us that influence does not always announce itself.  Sometimes it is revealed through faithfulness.

Through staying, serving and loving.

Ruth reminds us that we must trust God even when we cannot see where the road is leading.

Ruth may not have understood everything God was doing through her life, but her faithfulness became part of a story much larger than she could see.  And generations were influenced by a woman who simply chose to remain faithful.

When I think about the influence of my mother and grandmother, and even women in my life perhaps this is one of the things I understand more clearly today.

Sometimes the people who shape us the most never realize the full extent of their influence.

Mary: A Willing Heart

And then there was Mary.  A young woman chosen by God to carry Jesus into the world.

When the angel appeared and explained what God was asking of her, Mary did not have every answer.  She did not know how every detail would unfold.  But she responded, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.”— Luke 1:38

Pay close attention; Mary reminds us that God sees women. God calls women.  And God uses women in His divine purposes.  Her willingness became part of the greatest story ever told.

Through Deborah, we see strength and wisdom.

Through Ruth, we see faithfulness and devotion.

Through Mary, we see surrender and obedience.

Different women, different stories and different assignments. 

Yet each one mattered to God.

In Those Moments, We Are, Who?

Perhaps this is where the conversation becomes personal.  Let’s ask ourselves how do we see the women God has placed in our lives? 

Do we truly value them?

Do we recognize their influence?

Do we honor their wisdom?

Do we appreciate the sacrifices they have made?

In being totally honest, I did not always recognize the value of some people God placed in my life. As you look back do you feel the same and do you now realize how much of who you are was shaped by them? 

Perhaps that is true of a mother.

A grandmother.

A wife.

A daughter.

A sister.

A friend.

A teacher.

A mentor.

Someone whose prayers covered us before we understood what they were praying for.  Someone who encouraged us when we were discouraged.  Someone who corrected us when we needed correction.  And, someone who believed in us when we struggled to believe in ourselves.

Final Thoughts

Today, when I think about women and their place in God’s design, I cannot begin with an argument.  I begin with gratitude.

I think about my mother.

I think about my grandmother.

I think about what I saw before I had the language to explain it.  I saw strength, I saw compassion, I saw sacrifice, I saw care and I saw influence.

And years later, when I began to study and understand the Scriptures more deeply, I discovered that the God who created woman had always given her value and purpose.

She was created in His image. She was intentionally formed, and she was included in His plan.  And throughout Scripture, God used women to influence families, nations, and generations.

Perhaps that is the beauty of God’s design.

There is no need to diminish one another in order to understand one another.  There is no need to compete with what God created.  There is room to appreciate the beauty, strength, wisdom, and purpose God has placed within both men and women.

And perhaps when we understand where woman began, we will better understand how she should be treated.

She was created in the image of God.

She was intentionally formed by God.

She was seen by God.

She was used by God.

And she has influenced more lives than history will ever fully record.

My mother and grandmother taught me that before I understood the theology. Scripture simply helped me understand why. So, thank

you ladies for all you do and God bless you! 

Let Us Pray. 

Remember, the Gospel is good news for all situations!