Josh told me to do my homework on women’s roles in the bible. Well folks, here it is.

I want to look not at simple passages that the bible has about women, but about specific stories in the bible that focus on women. I think it’s a bit more fair to do it this way because it’s less difficult to shift the stories around and twist their meanings than it is to do the same with a small passage. Let’s take these pivotal women one at a time, shall we?

Sarah

Sarah was the wife of Abraham. The Pharaoh, decided that he wanted Sarah, so Abraham, instead of protecting his wife’s honor, convinces her to dress up like her sister and go to the Pharaoh. Later, when they get back together and it is discovered that Sarah is barren, she “gives” her servant to Abraham so that he can have a male heir. I’m not sure how willingly she gave the servant, though because she later becomes jealous of the servant for being able to conceive. Can you blame her? But Sarah was a good wife for giving her husband another man.

So the concept here is that your husband can be unfaithful to you if you cannot bear children? Or do you have to give him permission? I think it is important to note here that the bible does not say Abraham “took” the servant, but that Sarah “gave” her to him.

Rachel and Leah

Isaac could not afford to buy Rachel, so he agreed to work for her uncle for seven years. At the end of this period, the uncle disguised Leah (the bleary eyed sister) and gave her to Isaac instead of Rachel. Even though she eventually bore Isaac 4 sons, he was not happy. So, what does Isaac do? He agrees to work for the uncle for another seven years to get Rachel. As the two sisters/wives begin competing for the title of most male heirs, it gets a bit complicated. Here’s how it works.

• Leah bears 4 sons
• Isaac “acquires” Rachel who is barren
• Rachel “gives” her servant to Isaac to bear her children
• the servant gives Isaac 2 sons
• Leah discovers she cannot have any more children, so she follows her sister’s lead
• Leah’s servant has 2 sons for Isaac
• Rachel is suddenly cured and bears 2 sons for Isaac

Dinah

Poor Dinah. She was raped. Because of a pact made between the rapists father and the community members, Dinah had to marry her rapist.

Delilah

Alright, you’ve got me here. Delilah is pretty evil. But I’m still not sure why Sampson kept going back after she betrayed him.

Ruth

Ruth seduced a man at the request of her mother-in-law. She was seen as honoring her mother, though, so she was never seen as a “whore.”

Esther

Esther was a Jew married to the king of Persia. She did not tell him that shew as a Jew until he ordered all Jews in the country to be killed. Her pleas for the mercy of her husband were listened to. He did not tell her to sit down and shut up. Instead, he listened. The Jews were saved and, to this day they celebrate Purim in honor of Esther.

Deborah

Deborah was a judge, a prophetess, and a warrior. Deborah became judge when none of the men would.

Lessons Learned from the bible

1. If you approve your husband’s mistress, he can have one.
2. Men can sleep with as many women as they want as long as they produce countless male heirs
3. If a woman is violated by a man, it is okay to allow the man to marry her as long as it serves the better good of the community.
4. If your mother-in-law tells you to sleep around, you aren’t a whore.
5. If you ask your husband to do something, he might do it.
6. Don’t sit quietly aside and watch while your husband destroys his kingdom mercilessly.
7. Women can work when the men won’t/can’t
8. Women can fight

Still, no stories here that point to the stay at home mom as in any way “heroic.” It’s been said before, but I’ll say it again:

Well behaved women rarely make history