Recently, the subject of women and equality has been coming up through work topics and friend's posts, and I've finally decided to write my perspective on the matter.
We are not men (shocking I know)
I don't want to be 'equal' to man, I don't think I can do anything a man does. I am not a man, I am a women. While we are no less than a man, we are no more than them either. I recommend everyone watch The Science of the Sexes as well as read this article from Discovery Health: Do Men & Women Have Different Brains?
"And
Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every
beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for
him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." Genesis 2:20-25 KJV
Women are God's creative expression of His amazing love for man. We were made to be enjoyed, cherished, treasured, protected, and loved. I don't want a man who is like me, I want a man. Masculine, protective, logical & loving, tall, dark-haired (preferred), & handsome. A guy that will make me feel petite, delicate, & beautiful. I am part of man, a vital, elaborate & intricate, individualized, porcelain masterpiece. I don't want to be compared to a man, nor do I want to be one. I am physically weaker but emotionally stronger. While men carry the weight of the world on their shoulders, we carry their weight on ours along with the rest of the family.
We were made to complete each other, not be each other. Yes women are strong, smart, & capable. We are just as capable at certain things, but in the end, were not a man (I'm not at least). There are & will always be things that my brother-in-laws are better at then I am. But there are also things that I will always be better at then they are. It's the even exchange. Cats are cats and dogs are dogs, both are awesome pets but one is not the other.
Heads and tails may be on one coin but the head will never be the tail and the tail will never be the head, they will remain on opposite sides where they balance each other out.
“Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears.
The woman came out of a man’s rib. Not from his feet to be walked on.
Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under
the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved.” – This is written in the Hebrew Talmud, the book where all of the sayings and preaching of Rabbis are conserved over time."
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
Two different renditions of the same song, but there is such power in them, power we often tend to forget. Something God has really brought home for me today is the power in His forgiveness He gives unto us freely.
A book I read recently, Unmerited Favor by Joseph Prince, really helps shed a bright light upon the amazing simplicity of His grace. He freely forgives us, past, present, future. Done. It's hard to grasp within a world where you are told you have to earn everything. A friend who is now reading the book reminded me of this today, something I needed.
But this Christ earned.
The book I'm currently reading is On the Eve of Adam by Dr. J.R.Church, quite an amazing book so far. There is so many interesting concepts within the pages of just the first four chapters that I cannot fully describe all of them, but some that apply for this that have spoken within me are these:
Excerpt from Chapter 2:
Since Adam is a prophetic figure of Jesus Christ, Eve, his bride, must be a type of New Testament Christianity--the bride of Christ. Adam gave life to Eve. In like manner, Christ gave eternal life to us. As Eve was taken from the side of Adam, New Testament Christianity has been taken from the riven side of Christ:
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5)
According to the Scriptures, Eve was deceived in the fall, yet Adam was not. Adam was willing to take her sin upon himself. The sin of Eve was accounted to Adam. He was willing to become identified with her sin. In like manner, Jesus took our sin upon Himself, that He might become our substitute, and suffer our consequences.
Chapter 4 goes into the life of Joseph from the Old Testament and compares it to the life of Christ. Something I had never considered. There are far too many similarities to bring them all to light here (you'll have to read the book) here are some facts:
The story of Joseph starts in Genesis chapter 30, the ministry of Christ starts at age 30.
The 30th chapter of Genesis is represented by the Hebrew alphabet letter chet referring to "a new beginning" representing the First Advent of Christ.
Both Joseph & Christ had miracle births
"And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach: And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son" (Genesis 30:22-24)
Rachel's (Joseph's mom) name, meaning "ewe lamb" lends to the view that Joseph was born as a lamb. In like manner Christ is the "lamb of God".
Joseph was the beloved son, as Christ is God's beloved Son
Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver and Christ was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.
Joseph was stripped of his coat of many colors, was thrown into a pit to die but came out alive, later having his coat dipped in blood and presented to his father.
Christ was stripped of His clothes (John 19:23-24) and in a similar manner, Christ was placed in a tomb--a place of death--but was resurrected! And when Christ returns, He will be wearing His vesture dipped in blood:
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood" (Revelation 19:13)
Joseph became a servant to Potiphar, as Christ took upon Himself the form of a servant
The comparisons continue but the one I want to focus on is at the end:
Joseph kept Benjamin and pressed his brothers to confess their guilt concerning him and express love for their father (Genesis 44:27-31). Once they confessed their sin, he then reveals himself to them and freely forgives them (Genesis 45:1-9). Joseph and his brothers are an allegory of God's great program for the nation of Israel.
After Jacob's death [their father], they were fearful that Joseph would seek revenge. However, their fears were groundless.
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:19-20)
Excerpt from Chapter 4: It is hard for some people to accept the fact that God freely forgives, but He does. Salvation has no strings attached. We are forgiven because of the blood of Christ, who died once and for all. We need not fear falling from God's grace. Joseph is clear about his forgiveness to the brothers and thus, presents a prophetic message to us about the love of Christ. There is no greater picture of Christ to be found in the pages of the Old Testament.
Now rereading the lyrics of the song Amazing Grace...re listening to the words of the song Grace Like Rain...the words have a whole new meaning. The amazing love of our God, it's liberating, it's freeing, and it's something we have ALWAYS had, we have NOW, and we will FOREVER keep. Amen.
