by Biblical answers to questions on this controversial but important subject. (A big thanks to Kay Price for sharing her notes on this broadcast.) A lot of us have asked these questions and not had biblical answers. What really was God’s design for women? What is a helpmeet? Are women inferior because they were created second? Are women under a curse? Does culture make a difference? Are there women leaders in the Bible? Are women more easily deceived? Are women to be silent in church and not teach? Can women have authority over men? Are there women apostles in the Bible? Is the headship of husband a dominating position? If you have ever asked these age-old questions as most of us have, get ready to hear Apostle Jim Davis answer from scripture and release God’s heart for women and men. Discover erroneous translations and interpretations of scripture.
God’s original intent for women is found in Gen. 1:26, 27. God made man (mankind) in His image. Male and female He made mankind. They were to have dominion over creation, not each other. So, right at the start, God’s design was not to subjugate (to subdue and bring under the yoke of power or dominion; to conquer by force and compel to submit to the government or absolute control of another) women. It is not God’s idea to give men dominion over women.
Dr. Davis states that this is a hard saying for insecure men who fear their position may be supplanted or surpassed. There is a second witness found to support this in Gen. 2:18, 24. This speaks of God making a help meet for man. A help meet is a helper that is appropriate for, or adequately and accurately reflects who I am and all I am; the other side of me. Jesus refers to Holy Spirit as our helper but we do not receive Him as inferior in any way. Why would we think women inferior when they are called a helper?
“Help and meet,” in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, means to surround, protect, aid, and succor. Exploring the meanings of these words in Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language we find:
· 1. Surround-to enclose on all sides
· 2. Protect-to cover or shield from danger or injury, to defend, to guard, to preserve in safety. (like walls protect a city).
· 3. Aid-support, assist, either by furnishing strength or means to effect a purpose, or to prevent or remove evil (the person who gives succor).
· 4. Succor-literally, to run to, or run to support; to help or relieve when in difficulty, want, or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering (the person that brings relief).
Women were not created inferior. Women were made in God’s image; equal with man, who, jointly reflect the image of God. God is Spirit which transcends male/female differentiation. Num. 23:19 God is not a man, but has been explained in human terms so we can understand. He is described in both genders, not male only or female only. The Bible uses male analogies for God such as, King, husband, and shepherd, but He is also referred to as a protective mother eagle, a she bear with cubs and a many breasted one.
The “female” references speak of mothering, maternal attitudes, and relationship with us. “Image” conveys personhood not gender. Women (and men) are relationally, spiritually, morally, and creatively like God. We have the ability to love and communicate like Him. In Nu.27:1-8 God tells Moses that women possess the same right to the family inheritance as men.
Special distinctions of women in scriptures that definitely are not in support of women being inferior are: 1. Woman was last at the cross—Mk. 15:47. 2. Woman was first at the tomb—Jn. 20:1. 3. Woman was first to proclaim the resurrection—Mt. 28:8. 3. First preacher to the Jew—Lu. 2:37, 38. 4. Attended the first prayer meeting—Ac. 1:14. 5. First to greet Christian missionaries—Ac. 16:13. 6. First European convert—Ac. 16:14, 15.
Women are no more under a curse than men are. After sin, God said that women would bring forth children in sorrow (doesn’t really say cursed but sorrow and pain is not a blessing). He also said that men would bring forth from the ground in sorrow; that the ground was cursed and in hard labor (from the sweat of his brow) he would eat bread. Gen. 3:16-18 God predicts the effect (consequences) of sin for both, in that, woman would turn in her focus to her husband. Her husband’s response would be to begin to “rule” over her, Lord over her, misusing his headship.