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The Woman’s Role in the Plan of God
God has a beautiful plan for woman-hood that will bring order and
fulfillment if it is followed in obedience. God’s plan is that one man and one woman, of equal standing before Him but of different
roles, should be bonded together as one. In His wisdom and grace He
specifically created each for his or her role.
At creation, God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and from him
God took a rib and made a woman (Genesis 2:21). She was a direct gift
from the hand of God, made from man and for man (1 Corinthians
11:9). “Male and female He created He them”, (Genesis 1:27) each
different but made to complete and complement each other.
Although the woman is considered the “weaker vessel” (1 Peter
3:7), this does not make her inferior. She was made with a purpose in
life that only she could fill. To woman has been given one of the
greatest privileges in the world, that of molding and nurturing a
living soul.
A distinction between the genders is taught throughout the Bible.
Paul teaches if a man has long hair, it is a shame unto him, but if a
woman has long hair, it is a glory to her (1 Corinthians 11:14,15).
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither
shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are
abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 22:5). Their roles
are not to be interchangeable.
In the Garden of Eden, God said, “It is not good that the man should
be alone,” and He made a help meet for him-a companion, someone to
satisfy his needs (Genesis 2:18). Proverbs 31:10-31 tells in detail
what kind of helpmeet the woman is to be. The supportive role of the
wife to the husband is very evident in this description of the ideal
woman. She “will do him good and not evil.” Because of her honesty,
modesty and chastity, “her husband doth safely trust in her” By her
efficiency and diligence she would look well to her household. The
basis for her virtue is found in verse 30: “a woman that feareth the
Lord.” This is a reverential fear that gives meaning and purpose to
her life. Only as the Lord lives in her heart can she be the woman
she was meant to be.
To become a child of God she needs to repent, confess her sins and
accept Christ through faith. With Christ she will be able to live a
self-denied life. The Holy Spirit will give strength, courage, and
direction to fulfill her duties. He will grace her life with
humility, modesty, and with that inner ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:3,4). Proper, modest dress adds to the hidden charm of a woman. She should
never draw attention to her body by being overdressed or underdressed.
To avoid confusion and establish order, someone needs to be the head
and God has ordained that this should be the man (1 Corinthians
11:3). Marriage is to be a harmonious relationship similar to that of
Christ and the Church. Christ is subject to God, man is subject to
Christ, and woman is subject to man. Why would any woman rebel at her
position in the framework of authority when even Christ, the Son, is
subject to the Father? As the wife reverences her husband, she is
obedient to the scripture (Ephesians 5:33), and her husband is then
able to bear the responsibility that God has laid on his shoulders.
The liberation movement has challenged God’s blueprint for
womanhood. Women are clamoring for freedom and fulfillment by asking
for total equality. This puts them into a power struggle into a
competitive role instead of a complementary partnership. Their quest
for freedom only leads them into bondage. Nevertheless, the
selfishness and ungodliness of many men is without excuse. In this
context some of women’s frustrations can be understood. Ironically,
the very thing that many women are rejecting is God’s way of
establishing the woman in a life that fully satisfies.
If a women moves aggressively into the man’s world and there seeks
independence and equality, she loses her femininity, that reserved,
modest sweetness that men respect and God approves.
Fulfillment comes as she cultivates those gifts for which she was
created. A woman’s submission to her husband liberates her from a
multitude of frustrating problems, and her submission to God’s order
frees her from guilt. Submission is a blessing, not a curse!
The pattern of men taking the leadership and women following will
bring a blessing to single women as well as married women, to
daughters as well as wives.
As an outward sign of this submission and her submission to Christ,
the Christian woman is commanded to have her head covered for praying
and prophesying – not teaching or usurping authority over the man (1
Corinthians 11:3-5 and 1 Tim 2:12). Man is subject to Christ and
should therefore pray with his head uncovered. Woman is subject to
man and should pray with her head covered. Wearing a head covering is
a recognition of this divine order.
Love in marriage is to be pure and is given for pleasure as well as
for propagation Woman was uniquely created for the special task of
bearing children, a creative fulfillment. God said, be fruitful and
multiply” (Genesis 1:28). To purposely choose not to have children is
sidestepping God’s principle and forfeiting one of the most rewarding
experiences in a woman’s life.
The Woman’s first duty is the making and keeping of her home. Many a
modern woman chooses a career, hires a baby-sitter, and rushes her
children through childhood so that she can be free to pursue her
selfish interests. The Bible teaches that women are to be “keepers at
home” (Titus 2:5). This means a women is to be there, loving her
husband, teaching and enjoying her children, and applying the
homemaking arts with joy in her heart. This mother is the heartbeat
of the home. She helps lay the foundation of moral standards there.
The warmth of her spirit quietly establishes security in the lives of
the little children, brings confidence, that in spite of their
problems and fears, all will be right. Why would any woman trade this
noble place for some dollars earned or for some coveted
position? “His Bible way is not just being old-fashioned; it is God’s
order. The women who wholeheartedly accept God’s plan will be blessed.
In certain instances, a woman’s role extends beyond her home.
Examples are given in both the Old and New Testaments of godly women
who had responsibilities in God’s kingdom. Also today there is a
place for the Christian woman to serve within the Church. As she
exercises her inborn attributes of love, gentleness, and compassion,
she is a living example of that which becomes godliness. Older women
are exhorted to teach the young women – not the men, “that the word
of God be not Blasphemed” (Titus 2:4,5). Single Christian women, who
do not have the cares of a home and a family, are able to fill a
special place (1 Corinthians 7:34).
There are definite guidelines for women’s behavior in the Church.
They are not to usurp authority over men. Paul instructs, “Let your
women keep silence in the churches” (1 Corinthians 14:34,35; 1
Timothy 2:11-15). The order that God has planned for women excludes
them preaching. Faithful women find places for active participation
in Christian service where they can humbly and consistently
fellowship with other Christians.
May each woman fill her role with the grace of God in her heart, live
in submissive obedience to His will, and humbly give of herself in
the daily practices of life. As each person fills his respective
place in God’s plan, there is beautiful harmony that emerges in the
heart, the home, and the church.
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