Biblical Womanhood in the Home

This is my first contribution to the booked blog. I recently finished this book entitled, "Biblical Womanhood in the Home" edited Nancy Leigh DeMoss with the following contributors: herself, Barbara Hughes, Susan Hunt, Mary A. Kassian, Carolyn Mahaney, Dorothy Kelley Patterson and P. Bunny Wilson. Some of which may or may not ring a bell.

The books aim was to bring the focus back to what women are called to. The joy and fulfillment found in being a Biblical Woman is being destroyed by the world and its expectations and definitions of what a woman should be and look like.

Here was the overview:

I. The Glory of Womanhood as created by God
II. The Challange of Biblical Womanhood in a Fallen World.
III. The Freedom of Women as Helpers.
IV. The Joy of Women as Bearers and Nurturers of Life

One of the authors used Mary as a Biblical example of what a goldy woman should look like. I had never really heard or thought about some of the points she brought out:

Mary was an ordinary woman.

• She was not from a wealthy faimly; Jesus gave her significance.

Mary was a pure woman.

• He chose to plant the seed of His Son in a pure vessel.

Mary was an undeserving woman.

• She marveled at God's grace in choosing her.

Mary was a chosen woman.

• Chosen by God for a task of eternal significance.

Mary was a Spirit-filled woman.

• Enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Mary was an available woman.

• Her response, "May it be to me as you have said."

Mary was a believing woman.

• She took God at His Word.

Mary was a praising woman.

• In response, "My sould glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Mary was a woman of the Word.

• The Word was hidden in her heart; her prayer quoted in the OT dozen of times.

Mary was a reflective woman.

• After His birth, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart."

Mary was a humble woman.

• She was about making Him known, not her.

Mary was a trusting woman.

• She did not push her husband to believe, but trusted God to speak to him and work in his heart.
  

Mary was a submissive woman.

• Embraced the will of God; let her husband lead (protect from Herod).

Mary was an influential woman.

• Wedding feast--directed others to Him; teaching her own children.
  

Mary was a praying woman.

• Woman of prayer, as seen in Scripture.

Mary was a devoted woman.

• Followed Jesus throughout his ministry--all the way to the cross.

Mary was a loved woman.

• He made sure His mother would be cared for.

Mary was a wounded woman.

• "A sword will pierce your own soul too," She gave up her son as well.

Another section focused not a godly, biblical woman as an example or inspiration for Christian women; but the foolish woman in Proverbs 7 to show what women of the world today look like and how we should contrast that.

Anyway, the book hit home some great points and great encouragement. These were only a few things I pulled out. Here are a few Scriptures to ponder on:

"The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears her down." Proverbs 14:1

"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Gen. 2:18

"Your beauty...should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is teh way the holy women of the past who put their hope in Gd used to make themselves beautiful." 1 Pet. 3:3-5

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at h ome, to be hind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life...
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband alos, and he praises her:
'Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.;
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Prov. 31:10-12,26-31

Encouraging, yet challenging.