Misogyny or Responsibility?

Is Torah misogynistic? Many critics of the Old Testament try to claim that it is misogynistic, particularly in the role of women in the Hebrew community, like submission to husbands.

Well, I had a revelation about the role of women in marriage, that not coincidentally came to me when I started wearing a head-covering. Yesterday I mentioned Pete’s article on manipulatives, a Biblical principle that the modern church is sorely lacking. To summarize again, a manipulative is a physical object that reminds us of the abstract.

There are many aspects of the world and Torah that I believe Yahweh created for the purpose of pointing back to Him. I wouldn’t be surprised if He created these things for the purpose of teaching them in parables when He came to earth. For example, the Tabernacle teaches us about set-apart spaces and Sabbath teaches us about set-apart time. (More at Torahclass.com) Another example is how Israel is represented as a tree, and the gentiles are grafted in.

Marriage is one of those many examples, a manipulative to point us back to Yahweh. As Christians, we know that Jesus is described as the bridegroom and the church as the bride, but do you know that that metaphor didn’t start in the New Testament? Yup, since the OT Yahweh has called Himself a husband to the bride of Israel.

In what way does Yahweh take care of us as our husband?

• He protects us
• He delivers us
• He provides for us
• He leads us
• He pursues us
• He LOVES us!
• He serves us
• And much much more!

And how do we respond as a bride?

• We follow Him
• We submit to His authority
• We trust Him
• We love Him
• We serve Him
• We pursue Him
• We care for His children
• And much much more!

It is also important to remember when studying parables and metaphors not to take them too far. There is one meaning. So just because a husband represents God in the relationship does NOT mean that he is superior to his wife in being or ability. Also, it does NOT mean that a woman is to worship her husband.

Women and men are not given different roles because one is inferior or superior to the other, but because they are created with different abilities to suit those roles, which in turn point back to the father.

In summary, women have a responsibility of modelling how the body of believers should behave towards their husband Yeshua Messiah. It is not a chore or a punishment, but a blessing and joy! How cool is that?

Likewise, Yeshua already modeled the perfect husband, and men should follow in His pattern.

In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that if any are disobedient to the Word, they, without a word, might be won by the behaviour of their wives, having seen your blameless behaviour in fear. Your adornment should not be outward – arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on dresses – but the hidden Man of the heart, with the incorruptible ornament of a meek and peaceable spirit, which is of great value before Elohim. For in this way, in former times, the set-apart women who trusted in Elohim also adorned themselves, being subject to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Aḇraham, calling him master, of whom you became children, doing good, and not frightened by any fear. In the same way, husbands, live understandingly together, giving respect to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the favour of life, so that your prayers are not hindered. 1 Peter 3:1-7

Shalom,

Genevieve