Women throughout the ages have struggled enough to gain a voice in the male-dominated society. They were always considered inferior to men and were thought to be weak in leading and taking up responsibilities. In this unequal scenario, the bible implies a modest model for women. From chapter one in the Old Testament, the bible shows that God created women to be helpers for men and not slaves. God did create man first and gave him responsibilities over his creation, but he saw that it was not good for man to be alone, so he created woman to be his companion again in his likeness. Thus, women are not any less equal than men. The Bible showcases women as wives and homemakers. They also help the men in the field and rearing the cattle. Women in the Bible also indulge themselves in handcraft and pottery. This proves that women are capable of running a family and should not be confined to mere household chores.
Another stereotypical belief that the Bible breaks is that women are incapable of taking up jobs and participating in the economic or social spheres. When coming into the Old Testament, we can see women taking up the role of religious leaders. They travel alongside the apostles and spread the word of God. History also shows us some great women who broke the chains of male chauvinism and stood strong in proclaiming their faith. Fortunately, modern society encourages women to have independent positions and ensure that they can solve their problems. They make great efforts to push women to gain proper education and claim an occupational position according to their potential. We, at the moment, can proudly say that there is a change in the mindset of the people and this change is visible in society.
The word of God gives a picture of how he wants his most complex creation to be. Proverbs 31 talks about how a woman can live in modesty and remain in this chastity. According to the sermon of Jonathan Pokluda, he refers to women to be a ‘FANTASY’. Women should be ‘faithful’ as the proverb says in verses 11-12. She should be ‘attentive’ to the needs of the household as explained in verses 15-16. The verses 18-19 say that a woman of God is ‘not lazy’ and is very hardworking. She is ‘tender’ to the needs of the poor and does not hesitate to help anyone in despair. She is ‘aesthetic’ in nature. She makes coverings in linen and purple. She is ‘sensible’ as she talks with wisdom and does not indulge in gossip. She spreads kindness through her teachings. Finally, she is a woman who ‘yields to God’. She is not just of the outside beauty but is filled with purity from the inside. It is not the beauty of a woman from the outside that matters but the beauty of the heart. In this fast-paced world, where boss ladies are an attraction, Proverbs 31 women stand alone. A woman should be calm but not weak, feminine but not fragile.
ANGELINA JOSE JOJI