Esther 4:14 — … and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
It has sometimes been suggested that the Bible doesn’t pay sufficient attention to the role of women. It’s a misunderstanding! The Bible presents a very clear picture of what the role of women should be. There are many, nowadays, who may not like that role — but to claim that the Bible ignores women is a mis-characterization.

There is no doubt that there are two “basic” Biblical roles.

First — women are mothers! From Eve to Mary, woman as mother has been critical.

Second — and perhaps first in importance — women are wives. A beloved friend posted on Facebook today, “A man’s success has a lot to do with the kind of woman he chooses to have in his life”. It’s true. Pick just a couple to think about — Samson and Delilah, and David and Abigail. I have loved, for a long time, the way Haydn’s oratorio “Creation” describes Adam’s wife — “With fondness leans upon his breast the partner for him form’d, a woman, fair and graceful spouse. Her softly smiling, virgin looks, of flow’ry Spring the mirror, bespeak him love, and joy, and bliss.” What a beautiful description of woman as the wife!

As Myra and I were reading in Esther today, I was reminded that as well as woman’s two basic roles, the Bible highlights the way that a woman can intervene to change the direction of history. Esther herself is, of course, a wonderful example. On the scene, by the miracle of God’s provision, to persuade Ahasuerus to thwart the wicked Haman’s plot to massacre all the Israelites. 

That Abigail that I mentioned earlier was another great example. She was on the spot just in time to prevent David taking vengeance on her foolish husband, Nabal after he had rudely refused to entertain David’s young men after they had protected Nabal’s sheperds and flocks: “And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” (1 Samuel 25:32-33)

Consider Jael, who was in the right place at the right time to put an end to Sisera and defeat King Jabin’s troops. (Judges 4:18-22).

The Bible doesn’t, perhaps, devote as many words to woman’s place and activity. There is no “equality”! Men and women are different. But make no mistake, the Bible gives equal value to men and women — as each plays their parts, in the home and in great moments of history.