God's View of Women/Does God Really Care About Women?

A Law That Reflects God's View of Women

The Law that Jehovah gave the nation of Israel provided the people-men and women-with boundless physical, moral, and spiritual benefits. As long as they listened and obeyed, the nation was "high above all other nations of the earth."  (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2) What was he woman's place under the Law?  Consider the following. 

1. Individual freedom.  Unlike women in many other nations in ancient times, the Israelite woman enjoy a great measure of freedom. Though the husband was given the role of the head of the family, the wife, with her husband's full trust, could consider a field and obtain it' and plant a vineyard.' If she had skills in spinning and weaving, she could even run her own business.  (Proverbs 31:11, 16-19) Women under the Mosaic Law were seen as individuals in their own right and not as just an appendage to man. 

In ancient Israel, women were also free to have a personal relationship with God.  The Bible speaks of Hannah, who prayed to God about a personal matter and secretly made a vow.  (1 Samuel 1:11, 24-28) A woman from the city of Shunem used to consult the prophet Elisha on Sabbath days.  (2 Kings 4:22-25)  Women, such as  prominent men and priests were willing to seek advice from them. -Judges 4:4-8; 2 Kings 22:14-16, 20. 

2. Access to education.  As party to the law covenant, women were invited to listen to the reading of the Law, which provided them with opportunities to learn.  (Deuteronomy 31:12; Nehemiah 8:2, 8)  They could receive  training for participation in certain aspects of public worship. For example, some likely  did "organized service" at the tabernacle, while others performed in a mixed choir of singers. - Exodus 38:8;  1 Chronicles 25:5, 6. 

Many women had the knowledge and skill needed to run a profitable business. (Proverbs 31:24)   Contrary to the culture in other nations at that time-in which the father alone taught his sons-the Israelite mother was to share in educating  her male children until adulthood. (Proverbs 31:1)  Obviously, women in ancient Israel were far from being uneducated. 

Next time: God's View of Women/Does God Really Care About Women? Continue with A Law That Reflects God's View of Women

From the jw.org publications