All About Relationship

Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the Lord has commanded: A man who makes a vow to the Lord or makes a pledge under oath must never break it.  He must do exactly what he said he would do. [Numbers 30.1-2]

The intriguing part of this verse is not what it says but what the verses that follow say in contrast to it.

This is not the first account of gender differentiation in the Bible.  However, as the topic of gender equality goes, this instance implies glaringly that males are to have the final say in matters.  So demonstrative is this directive that even a woman's vows to God are first to be the responsibility of her father of husband.

Before however conclusions are made in regards to gender equality based on this passage from the Bible, the responsibility of the widow must be considered!  A widow is a female however, she is fully responsible for her vows and pledges to God.  What is the difference?

This matter is not about male and female.  This matter is about the relational responsibilities of a father and daughter or a husband and wife.

While women may choose to take offense at this passage in the Bible and write off God as a bigot, I would suggest that first consideration should be made of the loving additional layer of protection God has provided the female first in her father, and then in her husband.  Unlike the man who makes a pledge to God and then is bound for eternity to fulfill it (let's hope we get it right the first time, men!), the daughter or wife has the "second chance" of her father's or husband's approval (and therefore responsibility) of the pledge or vow being made!

Widows and divorcees have unfortunately lost this second layer of assurance.

In the spiritual realm, and everything IS ultimately spiritual, daughters and married women have a great advantage in serving God.  They have the blessing of this covering by their father and husband.

While on the surface, this passage may be mistakenly interpreted as making God and His people out to be bigoted.  However, with careful examination, one can easily see that God, if anything, has shown favoritism to females functioning in the roles of daughter or wife.  Fast forward to the Apostle Paul's letters in which he describes the church as the bride of Christ... this makes perfect sense!  God has given Jesus as the Head of the Church just as a man is head of his wife... all the responsibility for the Church is found upon the Head.  The relationship to the Head is critical to being covered by Him.  In this relationship, and it's all about the relationship, all our commitment to God is validated by Jesus.

Wow.

Father, I am grateful for Jesus, Your Son, my Savior.  Thank You also that our genders here on earth, and the Biblical roles that are laid out for us in our particular gender, are merely indicators that reflect Your loving plan for us all in Your Kingdom.