Women of faith in the Bible
A historical survey

The situation of women in both the Old and the New Testament was quite different from the situation of women today. There were no “women’s rights” at that time. But we know women from the Bible, both from the Old and the New Testament. They were not leaders in our sense of the word, because that was out of the question at that time. But they were women that God used in His plans. Let me mention Mirjam and Ester, whom I am sure all of you know. 

The first woman I would like to take a closer look at, is Mirjam, the sister of Moses and Aron. We have no report on her life. There are some short accounts on Mirjam. The first story is when she is watching her little brother in the basket on the Nile. When Farao’s daughter comes and sees Moses, Mirjam reacts quickly. Remember she is just a girl, but she saves her brother’s life. Well, that is some girl, and we know the rest of the story.  

Then many years pass by, and we hear nothing about Mirjam. The next we hear about her is during Exodus. Read from Micah 6,4: "I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aron and Mirjam." The Israelites cross the Red Sea. After the crossing we read from Exodus 15,20: "Then Mirjam the prophetess, Aron’s sister, took a tam- bourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing". 

This is one of the first song and music events we hear about in the Bible, and Mirjam was the leader. She became the women’s leader, prophetess and leader of song and praise and worship. 

Then there is a dramatic change in the relationship between Mirjam, Moses and Aron. She has been talking against Moses, and that leads to her FALL. She is no longer a leader, she is jealous and bitter. She is the oldest, she has gifts as a prophetess, but she couldn’t be humble and servile to Moses. It has to do with the wife of Moses. (Also Aron talks against Moses, but only Mirjam is punished). She got lepracy. But Moses cried out to God to heal her, and so God did. After 7 days of expulsion from the camp, she comes back. 

The next thing we hear about Mirjam is that she dies. But her song of praise never dies. What can we as women today learn from Mirjam? Courage and ability to act, in spite that she was a woman and all the implications of that in those days. I love her for her dancing, song of praise and worship. So dear sisters, let us sing and dance and praise the Lord! 

Could we say that Mirjam was rebellious? In that case I like her, not that she was rebellious to God, but that she dared to follow her conviction, in spite of the fact that she was a woman. 

Working on this material, I read Esther’s book again. I was struck by the fate of queen Vasjti, who was dethroned “only” because she wouldn’t appear in front of king Xerxes and his men. Now Esther became queen. Her story is a very dramatic one. It is also in some ways a “Cinderella” story. She was totally under the great king Xerxes, but God used her in His plan to save His people. And when Esther pleased the king, she could also have great influence in politics. I read this story with “new eyes”. 

Let us move to the New Testament, and I would like to draw our attention to Mary Magdalene. She is referred to as the sinful woman from Luke 7,36–50. “Mary wept and wet the feet of Jesus with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7,38. She was forgiven much, and she loved Jesus from all her heart, in contrast to the pharisees who did not think that they ever did anything wrong, and who never needed forgiveness. 

Many male preachers have emphasized Mary Magdalene’s role as a prostitute and all the bad feelings connected with that. All my life I have asked myself why all the men who bought sex from Mary never are mentioned. She has become the prototyphe of the sinful woman. This is something men have enforced upon women. 

Jesus is not like that. Mary follows Jesus, and she serves the Lord. She also organ- izes other women to serve. She doesn’t try to escape when the authorities take Jesus, and she follows him to the cross. She is also the first who comes to Jesus’ grave. It is to her that Jesus first shows himself after he had risen from the grave. Jesus tells her to go and bring the good news to the disciples. She goes and witnesses, but they don’t believe her. Remember that in those days the testimony of a woman was not valued. But why did Jesus use Mary to bring the good news? Couldn’t he have sent a man? 

Is this a message to us women, encouraging us to witness? Do women today dare witness for the leaders of the church like Mary did, even when the leaders of the church reject women’s testimony referring to theological documents? Or are we brought to silence because men lift a warning finger to us? Mary Magdalene teaches us something. 

Finally in this historical survey I will draw our attention to Martha and Mary, sisters of Lasarus. I must admit that I always have had some problems with this text. I have listened to many sermons on these two sisters, where Martha always was critisized because she was doing the wrong thing. I always felt that Martha has been treated unfair by many preachers. I also know that the same preachers appreciate the good food that they are served after service! 

In Luke chapter 10 we read that Martha opened her home to Jesus, and she prepared food etc. But Jesus says that Mary has chosen the better. Does it mean that our strength is in listening to the words of Jesus, and letting his Spirit inspire us? I think so. 

But I have one more problem with this text. Knowing that Mary, living 2000 years ago, was not allowed to share with others what Jesus had given to her, because she was a woman. I think that Jesus wants to say to us women: Let me inspire you, and go out and tell all people! 

 
Margun Warem

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