Luke tells us about a female slave who earned a great deal
of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the team and
annoyed them by her remarks, because she was possessed by evil spirits. We see Paul delivering the woman by using
the name of Jesus Christ. So the men who were earning using this
woman got angry, dragged the apostles to the market place, stripped them and bet
them. Finally the apostles landed in prison with their feet in stocks. We should know that Paul and Silas did not undergo this grueling experience for converting people to Christ. They were in the prison for acting in the interest of a woman. They felt it was worth undergoing such a punishment for liberating a woman. They knew they did the right thing. So they sang songs in the midnight in the prison. God knew that His men were suffering for justice. The prison doors flew open. The chains loosened. (Acts 16:16-26)
But, think about this: why would an important Christian leader like Paul, risk his ministry
for a seemingly unimportant person like this young woman? Perhaps he was annoyed with the society that allowed a young woman to be abused this way. He
knew that the men in her life exploited her. Therefore, we see this male leader
stepping in for a poor woman who was at the bottom of the society.
Some oppression of
women is caused by women. But much more is caused by or for men. If men are
causing the oppression of women, it needs men to work for the change. Brothers, leaders and pastors, women who are unjustly treated need your help. They need you to teach and train
men and women and churches and societies towards justice.
Can we learn from St. Paul?
(Source: Beulah Wood, "Can we learn from St. Paul" in Side by Side: Gender from a Christian Perspective, SAIACS Press, 2007)
what a wonderful thought sister.Your writings are always wise and revealing new secrets from God...I greatly admire your words..
ReplyDeleteThanks Bro Rajan...Let us team together in magnifying the truths of the Holy Bible...May His Kingdom grow...
ReplyDeletewomen are women's greatest enemies because of the competition between women.. i agree all men should stand and rescue women from all kinds of evil and oppression.
ReplyDeleteA woman can be an enemy to a woman, which I agree too. But I would rather refrain from using the "Superlative" there. My greatest appreciation however is for your second statement...Let us do it together :)
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