Numbers 25-28
Early Equal Rights for Women

People often read the Bible and see a book that seemingly discriminates against women. After all, man was made before woman; the man is the head of the family; in the church, men are to speak and women are to remain silent. The list could likely go on.

But in Numbers 27, we are reminded that God has always cared about women. The daughters of a man named Zelophehad came to Moses after their father died seeking justice. The law stated that in the death of a father, the family inheritance was to go to a son (Deuteronomy 21:15-17; 25:6). These daughters came with a grievance-their father had died without sons. Presumably, their mother had died as well, or was pass the age of childbearing, so even if a brother was willing to assume the duties of Deuteronomy 25, there could be no son. As a result, their father's inheritance would be lost to the family. Some may have thought that was just the way it had to be; but God did not think as much. When consulted by Moses, the LORD said, "The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father's brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, 'If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughters'" (27:7-10).

It isn't surprising that men have abused scripture to treat women as inferiors. No, women generally are not as physically strong as men, and they are not to take authority over men in the church or home (1 Timothy 2:12). But, the idea that women are inferior in the eyes of God is unfounded. Numbers 27 shows us an example of his concern for them as His creation. From the beginning, woman was a special creation. While man was made from the dust of the earth, woman was beautifully made from man. I've heard Dee Bowman joke that the first thing Adam said when he saw Eve was, "Whoa, man!" Notice the words of Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." As God views the worth of the human soul, there is no difference between men and women.

Simply because the man is to take the lead in the home and the workings of the church does not argue women are lesser; it simply argues that their roles are different. Man has been given the role of leadership; that of support falls to women. And, men would do well in the home and in the church to wisely listen to the advice of the fairer sex. Barak begged for the presence of Deborah, the judge, as he anticipated battle (Judges 4). David benefited from the wise advice of Abigail (1 Samuel 25). Bathsheba urged Solomon's appointment to his father's throne (1 Kings 1); and Priscilla, it seems, worked equally with her husband Aquila.

We could go on speaking of others like the Shunammite woman, the Proverbs 31 woman, Phoebe, Lydia and others who were used wonderfully in God's kingdom.

While women are to be submissive in the home and church, let's not make the mistake of thinking they are of less importance than men, and let's not ascribe such an erroneous concept to God's word. It isn't found there.