Lesson 17 Explore 4: Women—Respect and Dignity Under God’s Care
WHEN on earth, Jesus perfectly reflected his heavenly Father’s personality and way of doing things. He said: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak... I always do the things pleasing to him.”
(John 8.28, 29: Jesus then said: “After you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things. And the One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.”)
(Colossians 1.15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;)
Thus, by noting the way Jesus interacted with women and his attitude toward them, we have a window into understanding God’s view of women and his expectations for them.
Based on what is recorded in the Gospel accounts, a number of scholars have acknowledged Jesus’ view of women as nothing short of revolutionary. How is that so? And more important, do his teachings still have a liberating influence on women today?
How Jesus Treated Women
Jesus did not consider them to be mere sexual objects. In the view of some Jewish religious leaders, contact with the opposite sex could lead only to lust. Since women were feared as a source of temptation, they were not allowed to talk to men in public or to go out without wearing a veil. On the other hand, Jesus advised men to control their own fleshly desires and treat women with dignity instead of cutting them off from social relations.-
(Matthew 5.28: But I say to you that everyone who keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.)
Jesus also said: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.”
(Mark 10.11, 12: He said to them: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if ever a woman after divorcing her husband marries another, she commits adultery.”)
He thus rejected the prevailing rabbinic teaching that allowed men to divorce their wives “on every sort of ground.”
(Matthew 19.3: And Pharisees came to him intent on testing him, and they asked: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife on every sort of grounds?”)
(Matthew 19.9: I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”)
The concept of committing adultery against his wife was alien to most Jews. Their rabbis taught that a husband could never commit adultery against his wife-only a woman could be unfaithful! As one Bible commentary puts it, “Jesus, by putting the husband under the same moral obligation as the wife, raised the status and dignity of women.”
The effect of his teaching today: In the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, women associate freely with men at meetings. However, they need not fear indecent looks or undue familiarity, because Christian men are careful to treat “older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with all chasteness.”-
(1 Timothy 5.2: to older women as mothers, to younger women as sisters, with all chasteness.)
Jesus took time to teach women. In contrast with the prevalent rabbinic view that kept women in ignorance, Jesus taught them and encouraged them to express themselves. By refusing to deprive Mary of the joy of being taught, Jesus showed that a woman’s place is not only in the kitchen.
(Luke 10.38-42: Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village. Here a woman named Martha received him as a guest in her house. She also had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and kept listening to what he was saying. Martha, on the other hand, was distracted with attending to many duties. So she came to him and said: “Lord, does it not matter to you that my sister has left me alone to attend to things? Tell her to come and help me.” In answer the Lord said to her: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things. A few things, though, are needed, or just one. For her part, Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”)
Mary’s sister, Martha, also benefited from his teaching, as shown by her intelligent answers to Jesus after Lazarus’ death.-
(John 11.21-27: Martha then said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. Yet even now I know that whatever you ask God for, God will give you.” Jesus said to her: “Your brother will rise.” Martha said to him: “I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone who is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?” She said to him: “Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”)
What women thought mattered to Jesus. At that time, most Jewish women believed that the key to happiness was to have a worthy son, if possible one who was a prophet. When one of the women cried out: “Happy is the womb that carried you!” Jesus seized the opportunity to tell her about something better.
(Luke 11.27, 28: Now as he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd called out to him: “Happy is the womb that carried you and the breasts that nursed you!” But he said: “No, rather, happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!”)
By indicating that spirituality was more important, Jesus pointed her to something more than the traditional role imposed upon women.-
(John 8.32: and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”)
The effect of his teaching today: Teachers in the Christian congregation welcome the comments by women at congregation meetings. They respect mature women for being “teachers of what is good,” both in private and by example.
(Titus 2.3: Likewise, let the older women be reverent in behavior, not slanderous, not enslaved to a lot of wine, teachers of what is good,)
They also rely on them to tell publicly the good news of God’s Kingdom.-
(Psalm 68.11: Jehovah gives the command; The women proclaiming the good news are a large army.)
see the box “Did the Apostle Paul Forbid Women to Speak?” on page 9.
Did the Apostle Paul Forbid Women to Speak?
“Let the women keep silent in the congregations,” wrote the apostle Paul.
(1 Corinthians 14.34: let the women keep silent in the congregations, for it is not permitted for them to speak. Rather, let them be in subjection, as the Law also says.)
What did he mean? Was he belittling their intelligence? No. In fact, he often referred to the wholesome teaching of women.
(2 Timothy 1.5: For I recall your unhypocritical faith, which dwelled first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, but which I am confident is also in you.)
(Titus 2.3-5: Likewise, let the older women be reverent in behavior, not slanderous, not enslaved to a lot of wine, teachers of what is good, so that they may advise the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sound in mind, chaste, working at home, good, subjecting themselves to their own husbands, so that the word of God may not be spoken of abusively.)
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul advised not only women but also individuals who had the gift of tongues and prophecy to “keep silent” when another believer was speaking.
(1 Corinthians 14.26-30: What is to be done, then, brothers? When you come together, one has a psalm, another has a teaching, another has a revelation, another has a tongue, and another has an interpretation. Let all things take place for building up. And if someone speaks in a tongue, let it be limited to two or three at the most, and in turns, and someone must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the congregation and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern the meaning. But if another one receives a revelation while sitting there, let the first speaker keep silent.)
(1 Corinthians 14.33: For God is a God not of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the holy ones,)
Likely some Christian women were so enthusiastic about their newfound faith that they interrupted the speaker to ask questions, as was the custom in that part of the world. In order to avoid such disorder, Paul encouraged them to “question their own husbands at home.”-
Jesus cared for women. In Bible times, daughters were not valued as much as sons. The Talmud reflects this view, saying: “Happy is he whose children are males, and woe to him whose children are females.” Some parents regarded a girl as a greater burden-they would have to find her a mate and give a dowry, and they would not be able to depend on her for support in their old age.
Jesus showed that a little girl’s life is as important as a boy’s-he resurrected Jairus’ daughter, as he did the son of the widow at Nain.
(Mark 5.35: While he was yet speaking, some men from the home of the presiding officer of the synagogue came and said: “Your daughter died! Why bother the Teacher any longer?”)
(Mark 5.41, 42: Then, taking the hand of the child, he said to her: “Talitha cumi,” which, when translated, means: “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” And immediately the girl rose and began walking. (She was 12 years old.) And at once they were beside themselves with great ecstasy.)
(Luke 7.11-15: Soon afterward he traveled to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. As he got near the gate of the city, why look! there was a dead man being carried out, the only son of his mother. Besides, she was a widow. A considerable crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her, and he said to her: “Stop weeping.” With that he approached and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. Then he said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And the dead man sat up and started to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.)
After healing a woman troubled by “a spirit of weakness for eighteen years,” Jesus called her “a daughter of Abraham,” an expression almost unknown in Jewish writings.
(Luke 13.10-16: Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And look! a woman was there who had had a spirit of weakness for 18 years; and she was bent double and was unable to straighten up at all. When he saw her, Jesus addressed her and said: “Woman, you are released from your weakness.” And he laid his hands on her, and instantly she straightened up and began to glorify God. But in response the presiding officer of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus did the cure on the Sabbath, said to the crowd: “There are six days on which work ought to be done; so come and be cured on those days, and not on the Sabbath day.” However, the Lord answered him: “Hypocrites, does not each one of you on the Sabbath untie his bull or his donkey from the stall and lead it away to give it something to drink? Should not this woman, who is a daughter of Abraham and whom Satan held bound for 18 years, be released from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”)
By using this respectful and kind expression, he not only regarded her as a full-fledged member of society but also recognized her great faith.-
(Luke 19.9: At this Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.)
(Galatians 3.7: Surely you know that it is those who adhere to faith who are sons of Abraham.)
The effect of his teaching today: An Asian saying goes: “Raising a daughter is like watering the neighbor’s garden.” Far from being influenced by that mentality, loving Christian fathers care well for all their children, sons and daughters. Christian parents make sure that all their children receive proper education and health care.
CAPTION: Jesus gave Mary Magdalene the honor of reporting his resurrection to the apostles
Jesus trusted women. In the Jewish courts, the testimony of a woman was considered equal only to that of a slave. Josephus, a first-century historian, advised: “From women let no evidence be accepted, because of the levity and temerity of their sex.”
In sharp contrast, Jesus chose to have women bear witness to his resurrection.
(Matthew 28.1: After the Sabbath, when it was growing light on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the grave.)
(Matthew 28.8-10: So, quickly leaving the memorial tomb, with fear and great joy, they ran to report to his disciples. And look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and took hold of his feet and did obeisance to him. Then Jesus said to them: “Have no fear! Go, report to my brothers so that they may go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”)
Though these faithful women had been eyewitnesses of the execution and burial of their Lord, to the apostles, the women’s words were hard to believe.
(Matthew 27.55, 56: And many women were there watching from a distance, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee to minister to him; among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.)
(Matthew 27.61: But Mary Magdalene and the other Mary continued there, sitting before the grave.)
(Luke 24.10, 11: They were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. Also, the rest of the women with them were telling these things to the apostles. However, these sayings seemed like nonsense to them, and they would not believe the women.)
However, by appearing first to women, the resurrected Christ regarded them as worthy of bearing witness as his other disciples were.-
(Acts 1.8: But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth.”)
(Acts 1.14: With one purpose all of these were persisting in prayer, together with some women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.)
The effect of his teaching today: In congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, men who have responsibilities show consideration for women by taking into account their observations. For their part, Christian husbands ‘assign honor’ to their wives by listening carefully to them.-
(1 Peter 3.7: You husbands, in the same way, continue dwelling with them according to knowledge. Assign them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, since they are also heirs with you of the undeserved favor of life, in order for your prayers not to be hindered.)
(Genesis 21.12: Then God said to Abraham: “Do not be displeased by what Sarah is saying to you about the boy and about your slave girl. Listen to her, for what will be called your offspring will be through Isaac.)
Bible Principles Contribute to Women’s Happiness
CAPTION: Those who follow Bible principles respect and dignify women
When men imitate Christ, women are given the respect and freedom that God originally purposed for them.
(Genesis 1.27, 28: And God went on to create the man in his image, in God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. Further, God blessed them, and God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.”)
Instead of supporting male chauvinism, Christian husbands let themselves be guided by Bible principles, which contribute to their mate’s happiness.-
(Ephesians 5.28, 29: In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it, just as the Christ does the congregation,)
When Yelena began to study the Bible, she was silently suffering harsh treatment from her husband. He had been brought up in a violent environment, where the kidnapping of brides and physical abuse were common practices. “What I learned from the Bible gave me strength,” says Yelena. “I understood that there was someone who loved me very much and valued and cared about me. I also understood that if my husband studied the Bible, it could change his attitude toward me.” Her dream came true when her husband eventually agreed to study the Bible and then got baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “He became an example of self-control and restraint,” Yelena says. “We learned to forgive each other freely.” Her conclusion? “Bible principles have truly helped me to feel needed and protected in my marriage.”-
(Colossians 3.13: Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Just as Jehovah freely forgave you, you must also do the same.)
(Colossians 3.18, 19: You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.)
Yelena’s experience is not unique. Millions of Christian women are happy because they and their husbands together endeavor to apply Bible principles in their marriage. They find respect, comfort, and freedom in the association of fellow Christians.-
(John 13.34, 35: I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”)
Christian men and women both recognize that as sinful and imperfect humans, they are part of God’s creation that has been “subjected to futility.” However, by drawing close to their loving God and Father, Jehovah, they have the hope of being “set free from enslavement to corruption” and enjoying “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” What a marvelous prospect for both men and women under God’s care!-
(Romans 8.20, 21: For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but through the one who subjected it, on the basis of hope that the creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.)
[End of article.]