One morning, many years ago, I was washing dishes while listening to a bible study program on the radio. I didn't know much about the bible back then, some 40 years ago, but I knew, even at the age of 20, that I needed to know what this book actually said, as opposed to what other people claimed it said.
My roommate, Margie, walked in just as I was finishing up the dishes. Noticing the bible study program on the radio, she commented, "I just don't like what the bible says about women". Being rather new to bible study, I asked her, "What does the bible say about women?" Margie, who attended Catholic school as a kid, looked thoughtful for a second, then turned to me with a sheepish grin on her face and said "I don't know". We both sort of giggled and shared an "ah-ha" moment. Neither one of us knew what the bible actually said about women, or what it said about anything else for that matter.
But it was a wake up call for me personally. I decided then and there that I would dedicate some free time to discovering as much as I could about the bible and what it really does have to say. And with regard to women in general, there is no more liberating passage about women and their significance to society, than Proverbs, Chapter 31. It contains the definitive bible passage on this topic. And it doesn't say a thing about keeping women "barefoot and pregnant".
In case you don't have a bible handy, I've included the passage here, for your reference. As you will see, the bible defined "women's lib" thousands of years before "modern" women decided to burn their bras. Which, I've also discovered, was not a good idea. LOL.
The following text is taken from the King James Bible & edited slightly for modern english.
My roommate, Margie, walked in just as I was finishing up the dishes. Noticing the bible study program on the radio, she commented, "I just don't like what the bible says about women". Being rather new to bible study, I asked her, "What does the bible say about women?" Margie, who attended Catholic school as a kid, looked thoughtful for a second, then turned to me with a sheepish grin on her face and said "I don't know". We both sort of giggled and shared an "ah-ha" moment. Neither one of us knew what the bible actually said about women, or what it said about anything else for that matter.
But it was a wake up call for me personally. I decided then and there that I would dedicate some free time to discovering as much as I could about the bible and what it really does have to say. And with regard to women in general, there is no more liberating passage about women and their significance to society, than Proverbs, Chapter 31. It contains the definitive bible passage on this topic. And it doesn't say a thing about keeping women "barefoot and pregnant".
In case you don't have a bible handy, I've included the passage here, for your reference. As you will see, the bible defined "women's lib" thousands of years before "modern" women decided to burn their bras. Which, I've also discovered, was not a good idea. LOL.
The following text is taken from the King James Bible & edited slightly for modern english.
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
Pro 31:19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Pro 31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers fabrics unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
Pro 31:30 Flattery is deceitful, and beauty fades: but a woman that obeys the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
I readily admit that I can't sew, but I believe that the general intent of the passage is that women can be creative, skilled, intelligent, deal makers, money makers, and diligent workers whose efforts will bless herself, her spouse, and her family.
I hope my former roommate has also found this truth as well. She has been a hard working woman who owned her own business, was faithful to her husband and raised a fine son. He is now married and a father. Surely Margie's example will be a blessing to her son as well as his wife and children.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Pro 31:16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
Pro 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
Pro 31:19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Pro 31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
Pro 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro 31:22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro 31:24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers fabrics unto the merchant.
Pro 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Pro 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Pro 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
Pro 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Pro 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
Pro 31:30 Flattery is deceitful, and beauty fades: but a woman that obeys the LORD, she shall be praised.
Pro 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
I readily admit that I can't sew, but I believe that the general intent of the passage is that women can be creative, skilled, intelligent, deal makers, money makers, and diligent workers whose efforts will bless herself, her spouse, and her family.
I hope my former roommate has also found this truth as well. She has been a hard working woman who owned her own business, was faithful to her husband and raised a fine son. He is now married and a father. Surely Margie's example will be a blessing to her son as well as his wife and children.
