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WOMEN OF VALUE

BETHLEHEM: Sunday night, Nancy Zaboun’s husband had beaten her and the police were called to the scene.  The police asked the husband to sign a pledge promising he will not do it again.

The next day, in broad daylight, before witnesses, Nancy’s husband slit her throat and stabbed her to death.  She was the 4^th woman to be murdered by relatives in the PA controlled areas of Judea, Samaria and Gaza in the past 2 weeks.

Meanwhile, around the same time, a blonde Olympic tourist plops a big kiss on the cheek of an Arab reporter as he is speaking in front of the camera.  

Everyone is laughing – including the reporter – but would they be laughing if it happened in an Islamic country under Sharia law? Not likely. The blonde and the reporter would be severely punished…..we won’t get sick guessing how.

So what is the difference between countries whose laws have a biblical foundation and those nations with Islamic foundations?  ….especially as it pertains to women?

Let's begin with G-d's Word. Are there any important women in the Bible? I mean important like leaders, history makers, entrepreneurs?  The Bible is full of influential woman who impact history through their wisdom and deep commitment to G-d. They inspire the nation of Israel by providing the people with examples of integrity, courage, and leadership that is to be admired even today.  Several, laid their lives down risking all to lead the nation of Israel into victory.

Two women in the Bible who stand out as awesome examples of people who live fully for G-d, and thus shape the world around them for good, are Deborah and Esther (Hadassah).  Deborah was a judge, prophetess and military leader during the time Israel had judges leading them.  Esther was an orphaned minority living in a foreign land, who, through her obedience and faithfulness, saved her entire nation.

Deborah was an authority figure, making decisions for her nation based on G-d’s wisdom and prophetic insight. She judged Israel at a time of great oppression. The Canaanites had huge military superiority and were severely oppressing the Israelites.  One day, Deborah calls for Barak, the commander of the Israelite army. She prophesies that G-d will deliver the Canaanite army into his hands. This, in the natural, did not seem possible, but G-d was speaking through Deborah so Barak tells her, “I’ll only go if you go with me.”  He wanted to make sure she wasn’t just using “wishful thinking” which could cost him his life.

Deborah prophesies a second time in response to Barak and lets him know that she will go, but because he responded as he did, G-d will defeat the Canaanite leader, Sisera through the hands of a woman. And, that is exactly what happened!  Sisera’s army falls at the hands of Barak. Not one warrior is left standing except Sisera who escapes on foot.  He stops to rest in the tent of Jael who ends his life with a tent peg through the head.

Sisera was dead and the Canaanite king, Jabin was destroyed. Deborah sings a beautiful song about her victory that is forever recorded in G-d’s word (Judges, chapter 5). The Israelites have rest and peace for forty years.

Esther, was not a leader in Israel. She was an exile, a minority, living without her parents, being raised by her uncle.  She was young and had a very obedient spirit. She honored her uncle and did not question his love for her.  When asked to enter a beauty contest to choose a new queen, she does so willingly, perhaps leaving behind any dreams she had for a normal future. Once she is part of the king’s harem, her destiny is decided. Esther , like Deborah, walked with great integrity. She didn’t follow the crowd or pursue selfish gain. She followed wise instructions and was eventually chosen to be queen.

When an edict is sent out throughout the kingdom to slaughter the Jews on an appointed day, she is asked by her uncle to use her position in royalty to reverse the death sentence on her people.  Esther is living the epitome of a Cinderella story, yet is asked to risk it all, even her own life, to save the Jews in Persia. Understanding her own inability, she calls for a fast……and I mean a real fast! No food, no water for 3 days! At the end of the fast, she promises to approach the king, understanding that her life may end at that point.

Esther implements a supernatural strategy given to her during her fast. The result is victory beyond what she could have dreamed. The enemy of the Jews is destroyed and the Jews are given authority in the land and the edict is reversed. Esther’s uncle even ends up being given great responsibility by the king!

What f these women had been thought of as “second class” or “only for men’s pleasure”. What if they were denied a real and powerful relationship with the true G-d? What if no one had considered their potential? In both cases, Israel would have been condemned to a meager existence and possibly total destruction.

This is worth your careful consideration when you are comparing the G-d of Israel to any other god. He alone gives honor and blessing to both men and women. He alone places great value on every life.