Food 4 Thought by Marcia Dixon MBE

THE PURPOSE OF A WOMAN

Has anyone ever wondered what women’s lives would be like if Eve hadn’t eaten the forbidden fruit, as outlined in Genesis 3? I have.

For one, our relationships with men would be brilliant. Men and women would understand each other perfectly; would have total respect for each other; would see each other as equals; and we’d be united in following God’s command to multiply and have dominion in the world He created.

Adam and Eve were created as equals – with Eve designated the role of helper. The Hebrew word for helper is ‘ezer’ and is used 21 times in the Old Testament. Two of those times it is used in reference to Eve; three other times it’s used when Israel called on powerful nations to help them when overwhelmed by aggressive nations, and 16 times when God is referred to as our Help.

Eve was created to be Adam’s helper, working alongside him, as his equal, to help him fulfil God’s mandate for humanity.

The disharmony between men and women arose because Eve succumbed to the tempting words of the serpent and then caused Adam to do the same. Both were judged by God and expelled from the Garden of Eden. Eve was told that, due to her actions, she would experience pain in childbirth and have a desire for her husband who would rule over her.

This judgement – some would say curse – has been played out in women’s lives through the centuries. In fact, prior to the advent of modern medicine, childbearing was not only painful; it often resulted in death. Even today, maternal mortality rates still remain high in some parts of the world, and are higher for some ethnicities than others. For example, in the UK, the maternal mortality rate amongst Black mothers is said to be nearly four times higher than amongst white mothers (UK Parliament report).

Furthermore, some would say the existence of patriarchy – a system of society or government where men hold the majority of power – is a result of the fall, hence the debates in modern society about a woman’s role. Then there’s the whole issue of submission in marriage – as described in Ephesians 5 – which has been used by (some) men to justify domestic violence and abuse of their wives to “keep them in line”. Were it not for the fall, men would not behave in this way towards their spouses.

Jesus died to break every curse and reverse the impact of sin on people’s psyche, on their lives and on their relationships. This is why women flourish when they accept the Gospel. They are able to fully love God, themselves and others and, for some, they are able to recognise for the first time that they are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’.

Women of faith should demonstrate, through their lives and accomplishments, God’s original intention for humankind, and for women specifically. Women should be viewed as more than just wives and mothers – even though these are honourable callings. Women can serve in the whole gamut of roles, as the Bible shows us: as political leaders (Deborah, a judge), royalty (Queen Esther), spiritual leaders (Miriam, a prophetess), business women (Lydia, a merchant of purple cloth, and Priscilla, who alongside her husband Aquila made tents, and worked alongside the apostle Paul in Ephesus and Corinth).

It’s important for everyone to be mindful of God’s primary purpose for women before sin entered the world. Women were created to be men’s helpers – not beneath them, not above them – but working alongside them, as equals, to fulfil God’s purposes.

BRING BACK EVANGELISM MEETINGS

When I was younger, churches used to regularly hold evangelistic outreaches to win people to Christ. I got saved at a youth outreach.

Evangelistic meetings were major events. Churches put a lot of time, energy and prayer into them, so that they were well executed, and people would get saved.

I get the impression that churches are more into friendship evangelism these days, i.e., members are encouraged to share the Gospel with friends and family and invite them to church. Whilst friendship evangelism is great, how will those who have no Christian friends or relatives hear the Gospel? The answer is by evangelistic outreach – whether it’s street evangelism, prison ministry, or a church runs one.

Evangelistic outreaches still have the power – whether they last a day, a week or a month – to transform lives and communities.

I still remember the time in the noughties when the church I was attending held a service focused on reaching people involved in gangs, guns and crime. Nine hundred people attended that service!

When the sermon was over and the altar call was given, men responded, crying. Some took their drugs to the altar with them. Some went and got their weapons and laid them on the rostrum. Several gave their hearts to God. The Holy Spirit moved tremendously.

The Church is the vehicle God uses to proclaim His message of salvation. Let’s not be afraid to continue using evangelistic outreaches as one of the tools to reach the lost and those God wants to bring into His Kingdom.