Throughout scripture women proclaimed God's word & prophesied.
The Samaritan woman at the well told/preached to men in her town. How, she'd found the promised Messiah. And they followed her to see/meet Him.
Priscilla taught Apollos.
Esther persuaded a king to withdraw his decree, saving the Jews from destruction.
Another bold break in tradition is when Ruth (a gentile) proposed to Boaz & he accepted.
Notable example, Judge Deborah:
Judge Deborah found in Judges chapters 4 & 5. The LORD choose her, spoke through her (the Palm of Deborah) & used her to defeat the Canaan king, freeing the Israelis. Deborah is recorded a prophetess, poet, warrior & 4th Judge of Israel.
Although Deborah was the only female Judge. She's 1 of 4 women my search found to be called an OT prophet. Miriam, Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14 & 2 Chron 34:22), Noadiah (Neh 6:14). Generally we connect the word prophet to OT figures foretelling future events (Isa, Dan, Eze, Joel, Zec etc). In the NT the primary use of the word means, one chosen to teach, refute or admonish scriptures. Find a Vines dictionary link at the bottom.
Judge Deborah, put into a leadership position in Israel by the Lord. Paul placed Phebe in a leadership position at the church in Cenchrea, a port in Corinth.
Women's rights were culturally, socially & politically oppressed. Woman weren't allowed to partake in public debate. Paul's conundrum was the places he was establishing churches were under Rome's rule/control/laws. This problem speaks volumes to his writing that women remain silent or to get with their husband later.
Corinth was a major trading hub & idol worship was rampant during the time (Acts 17:16-23).
Peoples from many regions & religions came to trade here. A sanctuary was in Corinth dedicated to an idol goddess, Aphrodite. Prostitution was a well known attraction & the women dressed for the occasion.
Women of the time (culturally) wore a head covering. Not so much with the ladies of the night. No head covering, gold (or fancy) ribbons, pins, excessive makeup etc. were trade advertisements. Christianity was in it's infancy, the message was, this is God's house dress accordingly.
Rom 16:
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
(NOTE: KJV translates servant of the church, AMP a deaconess, CEV a leader in the church, Darby minister of the assembly, DRA in the ministry of the church, ERV special servant, NIV a deacon, YLT ministrant of the assembly. I believe deacon (a Church leadership role) would be the accurate translation).
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
(NOTE: Paul calls her a protector of the faith & himself. And tells the whole congregation to do whatever business she asks. Find Vines dictionary link below on succourer)
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(NOTE: Not only had these women risked themselves for the gospels sake. They lead church groups in their homes).
Acts 2:
2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
4 and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(NOTE: Jesus fill many with the promised gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit)
16 this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
(NOTE: Joel foretold this event)
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
(NOTE: Peter says, Joel told us: men & WOMEN shall be filled with the Holy Spirit & THEY shall prophesy = Teach, refute & admonish scripture)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(NOTE: CHRIST gave these gifts/offices to his church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers. I believe the order Paul puts then in is also an order of importance. Prophets being 2nd to apostle)
Closing thoughts:
God's word is alive & active (Heb 4:12) always accomplishing its purpose, NEVER returning to Him void (Isa 55:11). No matter who the speaker is male of FEMALE!
The fundamental purpose of every Christian (man/WOMAN) is to share the gospel: Christ died for your sins, was buried & rose on the 3rd day (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Anyone that gets in the way (like trying to shut women up) is impeding this Christ given commission (Matt 28:19). Doing injustice to God 1st, themselves & the lost person that will remain lost.
Eph 5:25 (paraphrase) God tells the man, not the woman, to put higher value on his wife's life then on his own. Point: God doesn't see woman as 2nd class or of lessor value.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Prophet https://studybible.info/vines/Prophet
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Succorer https://studybible.info/vines/Succorer.
Post is My Opinion Only.
The Samaritan woman at the well told/preached to men in her town. How, she'd found the promised Messiah. And they followed her to see/meet Him.
Priscilla taught Apollos.
Esther persuaded a king to withdraw his decree, saving the Jews from destruction.
Another bold break in tradition is when Ruth (a gentile) proposed to Boaz & he accepted.
Notable example, Judge Deborah:
Judge Deborah found in Judges chapters 4 & 5. The LORD choose her, spoke through her (the Palm of Deborah) & used her to defeat the Canaan king, freeing the Israelis. Deborah is recorded a prophetess, poet, warrior & 4th Judge of Israel.
Although Deborah was the only female Judge. She's 1 of 4 women my search found to be called an OT prophet. Miriam, Huldah (2 Kgs 22:14 & 2 Chron 34:22), Noadiah (Neh 6:14). Generally we connect the word prophet to OT figures foretelling future events (Isa, Dan, Eze, Joel, Zec etc). In the NT the primary use of the word means, one chosen to teach, refute or admonish scriptures. Find a Vines dictionary link at the bottom.
Judge Deborah, put into a leadership position in Israel by the Lord. Paul placed Phebe in a leadership position at the church in Cenchrea, a port in Corinth.
Women's rights were culturally, socially & politically oppressed. Woman weren't allowed to partake in public debate. Paul's conundrum was the places he was establishing churches were under Rome's rule/control/laws. This problem speaks volumes to his writing that women remain silent or to get with their husband later.
Corinth was a major trading hub & idol worship was rampant during the time (Acts 17:16-23).
Peoples from many regions & religions came to trade here. A sanctuary was in Corinth dedicated to an idol goddess, Aphrodite. Prostitution was a well known attraction & the women dressed for the occasion.
Women of the time (culturally) wore a head covering. Not so much with the ladies of the night. No head covering, gold (or fancy) ribbons, pins, excessive makeup etc. were trade advertisements. Christianity was in it's infancy, the message was, this is God's house dress accordingly.
Rom 16:
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
(NOTE: KJV translates servant of the church, AMP a deaconess, CEV a leader in the church, Darby minister of the assembly, DRA in the ministry of the church, ERV special servant, NIV a deacon, YLT ministrant of the assembly. I believe deacon (a Church leadership role) would be the accurate translation).
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
(NOTE: Paul calls her a protector of the faith & himself. And tells the whole congregation to do whatever business she asks. Find Vines dictionary link below on succourer)
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(NOTE: Not only had these women risked themselves for the gospels sake. They lead church groups in their homes).
Acts 2:
2 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
4 and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(NOTE: Jesus fill many with the promised gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit)
16 this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
(NOTE: Joel foretold this event)
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
(NOTE: Peter says, Joel told us: men & WOMEN shall be filled with the Holy Spirit & THEY shall prophesy = Teach, refute & admonish scripture)
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(NOTE: CHRIST gave these gifts/offices to his church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers. I believe the order Paul puts then in is also an order of importance. Prophets being 2nd to apostle)
Closing thoughts:
God's word is alive & active (Heb 4:12) always accomplishing its purpose, NEVER returning to Him void (Isa 55:11). No matter who the speaker is male of FEMALE!
The fundamental purpose of every Christian (man/WOMAN) is to share the gospel: Christ died for your sins, was buried & rose on the 3rd day (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Anyone that gets in the way (like trying to shut women up) is impeding this Christ given commission (Matt 28:19). Doing injustice to God 1st, themselves & the lost person that will remain lost.
Eph 5:25 (paraphrase) God tells the man, not the woman, to put higher value on his wife's life then on his own. Point: God doesn't see woman as 2nd class or of lessor value.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Prophet https://studybible.info/vines/Prophet
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words: Succorer https://studybible.info/vines/Succorer.
Post is My Opinion Only.
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