There aren't as many mentions of women and their significance in the Old Testament as there are mentions of men and their significance; so as a woman, when they show up, I like to pay attention. Sometimes, though, they show up in the most seemingly random places.
There's a passage in Exodus that is describing the making of the tabernacle (the physical structure in which God chose to interact with the Israelites). It briefly describes the making of the bronze basin that the priests were to use to wash their hands and feet. It was a very serious order that God gave concerning this basin, or sink-like structure. In fact, God said that if they didn't do this, they would die. And then out of nowhere this passage says, "He [Bezalel, the super-anointed craftsman for this task in particular] made the basin of bronze and it's stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting [the entire structure housing the tabernacle]." First of all, I'm honestly thinking, "did they have mirrors back then?!" Then I'm flabbergasted by the fact that there were women ministering in this holy place! It makes me excited to think that God thought the bronze from their mirrors worthy enough to be used to make this cleansing basin.
These women were actually mentioned again, but in not so flattering a way. After years of the Israelites using this tabernacle that I mentioned, along with this bronze basin, there was a priest named Eli. Though Eli took his duties as a priest seriously, his sons did not. And in this case, the priesthood was passed down through the family. So, God is talking about how evil Eli's sons are, giving examples of their sins, and--here comes our mention again--he mentions how these sons of Eli have been sleeping with the women who minister at the entrance of the tent of meeting. It sounds sadly familiar. The very women deemed valuable, along with their possessions, to make a piece of furniture for the very place that would house God Himself's presence, have lowered themselves considerably.
Please take a moment to consider the weight of this. The women that God thought special lowered themselves. Those that God saw as valuable thought less of themselves.
I've been there. I've lived out of that mindset, and the lifestyle that ensues is not pretty. Thank God for His rescuing, because now I can say that God's love and redeeming power have no limit! I pray that if you're reading this and you've found yourself in the middle of a lifestyle that you know is not acceptable, you would be open to understanding your true value from the One who made you. And if you've already been delivered, I pray that you'll reach out in love to the ones around you who still need to be free.
There's a passage in Exodus that is describing the making of the tabernacle (the physical structure in which God chose to interact with the Israelites). It briefly describes the making of the bronze basin that the priests were to use to wash their hands and feet. It was a very serious order that God gave concerning this basin, or sink-like structure. In fact, God said that if they didn't do this, they would die. And then out of nowhere this passage says, "He [Bezalel, the super-anointed craftsman for this task in particular] made the basin of bronze and it's stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting [the entire structure housing the tabernacle]." First of all, I'm honestly thinking, "did they have mirrors back then?!" Then I'm flabbergasted by the fact that there were women ministering in this holy place! It makes me excited to think that God thought the bronze from their mirrors worthy enough to be used to make this cleansing basin.
These women were actually mentioned again, but in not so flattering a way. After years of the Israelites using this tabernacle that I mentioned, along with this bronze basin, there was a priest named Eli. Though Eli took his duties as a priest seriously, his sons did not. And in this case, the priesthood was passed down through the family. So, God is talking about how evil Eli's sons are, giving examples of their sins, and--here comes our mention again--he mentions how these sons of Eli have been sleeping with the women who minister at the entrance of the tent of meeting. It sounds sadly familiar. The very women deemed valuable, along with their possessions, to make a piece of furniture for the very place that would house God Himself's presence, have lowered themselves considerably.
Please take a moment to consider the weight of this. The women that God thought special lowered themselves. Those that God saw as valuable thought less of themselves.
I've been there. I've lived out of that mindset, and the lifestyle that ensues is not pretty. Thank God for His rescuing, because now I can say that God's love and redeeming power have no limit! I pray that if you're reading this and you've found yourself in the middle of a lifestyle that you know is not acceptable, you would be open to understanding your true value from the One who made you. And if you've already been delivered, I pray that you'll reach out in love to the ones around you who still need to be free.
Dear Janice,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your obedience to God, which led you to search the Word and provide insight and wisdom. I especially appreciate that you search for the significance of women. You are blessing to all. If we truly hear your words, we can accept the freedom that comes with knowing that we are all women of significance and God loves us and truly values us.