March 8: what it means to be a woman in God's eyes

Woman in God's eyes: Today is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate women around the world for their contribution to the world. It is also a day to urge others to stand up for the dignity and worth of women around the world.

Our culture talks a lot about what it means to be a woman, and with each generation we seem to constantly redefine what femininity is and how women should function in that role.

The church has played an important role in the fight against non-biblical definitions of womanhood, but, unfortunately, we too often confuse womanhood with wife. This confusion leaves all women, both single and married, with the natural assumption that their purpose and worth are intrinsically linked to marriage. This hypothesis is seriously flawed.

What does it mean to be a godly woman and what is the biblical role of a woman, single or married?

woman in God's eyes: 7 Biblical commands for women

“Fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
"Love the Lord God yours with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind ”(Matthew 22:37).
"Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
"Be kind to one another, tender in heart, forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:32).
“Always rejoice, pray incessantly, give thanks in everything. . . . Abstain from all forms of evil ”(1 Thessalonians 5: 16–18, 22).
“Whatever you want men to do to you, do it to them too” (Matthew 7:12).
"And whatever you do, do it from the heart, as for the Lord" (Colossians 3:23).
If you are thinking that these verses do not apply specifically to women, you are right. They apply to both men and women. And that's the point.

For too long we have allowed cultural, sometimes even Christian cultural stereotypes of men and women to define our genders. There are biblical roles for men and women in marriage and the church, but the vast majority of God's Word is directed to all people because God created us equal in purpose and in His love and plans for us.

March 8 women's day

When God created Eve, He did not create her to be Adam's servant, mascot, or lesser. He created her as a mate with whom Adam could find his equal, just as animals each had an equal female counterpart. God even gave Eve a job - the same job he gave Adam - tending the garden and having dominion over the animals and every living thing that God had created.

Even though history reveals the oppression of women, this was not God's perfect plan. The worth of every woman is the same as that of every man because both were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Just as God had a plan and a purpose for Adam, so he also had a plan for Eve, even after the Fall, and he used it for His glory.

Woman in God's eyes: In the Bible we see many women that God used for his glory:

Rahab hid the Israelite spies from danger and became part of Christ's bloodline as the mother of Boaz (Joshua 6:17; Matthew 1: 5).
Ruth selflessly cared for her mother-in-law and gathered wheat in the fields. She married Boaz and became the grandmother of King David, entering the lineage of Christ (Ruth 1: 14–17, 2: 2–3, 4:13, 4:17).
Esther married a pagan king and saved God's people (Esther 2: 8–9, 17; 7: 2–8: 17).
Deborah was a judge of Israel (Judges 4: 4).
Jael helped free Israel from King Jabin's troops when he led a tent peg through the temple of the wicked Sisera (Judges 4: 17-22).

Woman in the eyes of God

The virtuous woman bought the land and planted a vineyard (Proverbs 31:16).
Elizabeth gave birth to and raised John the Baptist (Luke 1: 13-17).
Mary was chosen by God to give birth and be an earthly mother of His Son (Luke 1: 26–33).
Mary and Martha were two of Jesus' closest friends (John 11: 5).
Tabitha was known for her good works and was raised from the dead (Acts 9: 36–40).
Lydia was a business woman who hosted Paul and Silas (Acts 16:14).
Rhoda was in the Peter prayer group (Acts 12: 12–13).
The list could go on to include single and married women throughout the ages that God has used to change the course of history and promote His kingdom. He still uses women as missionaries, teachers, lawyers, politicians, doctors, nurses, engineers, artists, business women, wives, mothers and in hundreds of other positions to do His work in this world.

What does it mean to you

Due to our fallen condition, men and women will always struggle to live amicably together. Misogyny, injustice and conflict exist because sin exists and must be fought. But the role of women is to face all life wisely, fearing the Lord by following His guidance. As such, women must be dedicated to prayer, regular study of God's Word, and application in their lives.

On this International Women's Day, we can celebrate our Creator for his love and plans for each of us, regardless of whether we are male or female.