The Woman's Role in the
Plan of God
God has a beautiful plan for womanhood that will bring order and
fulfillment if it is followed in obedience. God's plan is that
one man and one woman, of equal standing before him but of
different roles, should be bonded together as one. In His wisdom
and grace he specifically created each for his or her role.
At creation, God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and from
him God took a rib and made a woman (Genesis 2:21). She was a
direct gift from the hand of God, made from man and for man (1
Corinthians 11:9). "Male and female He created He
them", (Genesis 1:27) each different but made to complete
and complement each other. Although the woman is considered the
"weaker vessel" (1 Peter 3:7), this does not make her
inferior. She was made with a purpose in life that only she could
fill. To woman has been given one of the greatest privileges in
the world, that of molding and nurturing a living soul.
A distinction between the genders is taught throughout the Bible.
Paul teaches if a man has long hair, it is a shame unto him, but
if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her (1 Corinthians
11:14,15). "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth
unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all
that do so are abominations unto the Lord thy God"
(Deuteronomy 22:5). Their roles are not to be interchangeable.
In the Garden of Eden, God said, "It is not good that the
man should be alone," and he made a help meet for him, a
companion, someone to satisfy his needs (Genesis 2:18). Proverbs
31:10-31 tells in detail what kind of helpmeet the woman is to
be. The supportive role of the wife to the husband is very
evident in this description of the ideal woman. She "will do
him good and not evil." Because of her honesty, modesty and
chastity, "her husband doth safely trust in her" By her
efficiency and diligence, she would look well to her household.
The basis for her virtue is found in verse 30: "a woman that
feareth the Lord." This is a reverential fear that gives
meaning and purpose to her life. Only as the Lord lives in her
heart can she be the woman she was meant to be.
To become a child of God she needs to repent, confess her sins
and accept Christ through faith. With Christ she will be able to
live a self-denied life. The Holy Spirit will give strength,
courage, and direction to fulfill her duties. He will grace her
life with humility, modesty, and with that inner ornament of a
meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great
price (1 Peter 3:3,4). Proper, modest dress adds to the hidden
charm of a woman. She should never draw attention to her body by
being overdressed or under dressed.
To avoid confusion and establish order, someone needs to be the
head and God has ordained that this should be the man (1
Corinthians 11:3). Marriage is to be a harmonious relationship
similar to that of Christ and the Church. Christ is subject to
God, man is subject to Christ, and woman is subject to man. Why
would any woman rebel at her position in the framework of
authority when even Christ, the Son, is subject to the Father? As
the wife reverences her husband, she is obedient to the scripture
(Ephesians 5:33), and her husband is then able to bear the
responsibility that God has laid on his shoulders.
The liberation movement has challenged God's blueprint for
womanhood. Women are clamoring for freedom and fulfillment by
asking for total equality. This puts them into a power struggle
into a competitive role instead of a complementary partnership.
Their quest for freedom only leads them into bondage.
Nevertheless, the selfishness and ungodliness of many men is
without excuse. In this context some of women's frustrations can
be understood. Ironically, the very thing that many women are
rejecting is God's way of establishing the woman in a life that
fully satisfies. If a woman moves aggressively into the man's
world and there seeks independence and equality, she loses her
femininity, that reserved, modest sweetness that men respect and
God approves.
Fulfillment comes as she cultivates those gifts for which she was
created. A woman's submission to her husband liberates her from a
multitude of frustrating problems, and her submission to God's
order frees her from guilt. Submission is a blessing, not a
curse! The pattern of men taking the leadership and women
following will bring a blessing to single women as well as
married women, to daughters as well as wives.
As an outward sign of this submission and her submission to
Christ, the Christian woman is commanded to have her head covered
for praying and prophesying - not teaching or usurping authority
over the man (1 Corinthians 11:3-5 and 1 Tim 2:12). Man is
subject to Christ and should therefore pray with his head
uncovered. Woman is subject to man and should pray with her head
covered. Wearing a head covering is a recognition of this divine
order.
Love in marriage is to be pure and is given for pleasure as well
as for propagation Woman was uniquely created for the special
task of bearing children, a creative fulfillment. God said,
"be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). To purposely
choose not to have children is sidestepping God's principle and
forfeiting one of the most rewarding experiences in a woman's
life.
The Woman's first duty is the making and keeping of her home.
Many a modern woman chooses a career, hires a baby-sitter, and
rushes her children through childhood so that she can be free to
pursue her selfish interests. The Bible teaches that women are to
be "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5). This means a woman is
to be there, loving her husband, teaching and enjoying her
children, and applying the homemaking arts with joy in her heart.
This mother is the heartbeat of the home. She helps lay the
foundation of moral standards there. The warmth of her spirit
quietly establishes security in the lives of the little children,
brings confidence, that in spite of their problems and fears, all
will be right. Why would any woman trade this noble place for
some dollars earned or for some coveted position? "His Bible
way is not just being old-fashioned; it is God's order. The women
who wholeheartedly accept God's plan will be blessed.
In certain instances, a woman's role extends beyond her home.
Examples are given in both the Old and New Testaments of godly
women who had responsibilities in God's kingdom. Also, today
there is a place for the Christian woman to serve within the
Church. As she exercises her inborn attributes of love,
gentleness, and compassion, she is a living example of that which
becomes godliness. Older women are exhorted to teach the young
women - not the men, "that the word of God be not
Blasphemed" (Titus 2:4,5). Single Christian women, who do
not have the cares of a home and a family, are able to fill a
special place (1 Corinthians 7:34). There are definite guidelines
for women's behavior in the Church. They are not to usurp
authority over men. Paul instructs, "Let your women keep
silence in the churches" (1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 1 Timothy
2:11-15). The order that God has planned for women excludes them
preaching. Faithful women find places for active participation in
Christian service where they can humbly and consistently
fellowship with other Christians.
May each woman fill her role with the grace of God in her heart,
live in submissive obedience to his will, and humbly give of
herself in the daily practices of life. As each person fills his
respective place in God's plan, there is beautiful harmony that
emerges in the heart, the home, and the church.