What Does God Really Think About Women?

Shownotes

Today we’ll answer the question, “What does God really think about women?” Culture often says biblical Christianity demeans, diminishes women – but is that true? For some churches, it is. The biblical answer is clear: God loves women and from the beginning has worked to bless them. John 10:10

This reflects God’s heart for humanity in Gen 1-2. We’ll see that today.
But look at how the thief (Satan) is working against this plan – and he’s also been doing that from the beginning! We’ll see that today in Gen 3.
But a lot of people think that the Bible lowers and denigrates women. This is what you would expect from an ancient document, reflecting ancient societal norms. For example:
Ancient Sumerian proverb (circa 2100 BC): “Woman is a pitfall, a hole, a ditch,” “Woman is a sharp iron dagger that cuts a man’s throat.”
Plato in “Timaeus” (circa 360 BC): “And if a man lived well… and according to his appointed lot… they will make him a man again in his next incarnation… but if he lived a cowardly and unrighteous life… they make him a woman.”
Aristotle in “Politics” (circa 330 BC): “The male is by nature superior, and the female inferior; and the one rules, and the other is ruled.”
We’re going to see today that from the opening chapter of the Bible, God starts with the opposite statement. That’s incredible if you think about it. God’s purpose from the beginning was to give women a rich and satisfying life.
The word for this is “blessing”, and we’re going to break it into two parts…

Equality

God’s first blessing was equality: he created women and men in God’s image, making them equal in dignity and worth.

Many people mistakenly believe the Bible teaches that women are less valuable than men. Genesis 1:26-27
What “Imago Dei” means (Pursuit L3): This means we are like God in certain ways, such as mentally (we have the capacity to think and create), relationally (we were designed to be in relationship with others) and spiritually (there’s a part of us that lives forever). Imago Dei is also a reference to humanity’s responsibility to “reign” and represent God to the rest of creation.
That applies to all of us: male and female. But not animals. We are different from the rest of creation. Imago Dei sets us apart. People matter to God – men and women alike.
In fact, over and over the Bible elevates women (shocking for ancient literature):
Women heroes: Esther, Deborah, Naomi, Rahab, Hannah, Abigail, and more…
NT: Mary, Anna, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Priscilla, Lydia, Phoebe…
Women were the first witness to the resurrection and were given the important task of proclaiming the good news to the disciples.
Property rights: In general, inheritance passed through male descendants. Sons inherited land, money, and other assets from their fathers. This system was designed to keep property within the paternal family line and ensure the economic stability of families. But consider the daughters of Zelophehad. Numbers 27:4 (NLT)
God not only granted their request for land, but he commanded Moses to make it part of the law for all of Israel – daughters would have inheritance rights!?
So, God’s first blessing was equality: he created women and men in God’s image, making them equal in dignity and worth.

Differentiation

God’s second blessing was differentiation: he created women different from men on purpose so they could complement each other. Part of this blessing is the calling on men to be servant leaders to women.

God’s original vision for woman and man was partnership and harmony. He created an environment in which they were meant to thrive together.

The picture was harmonious in Gen 1. Here’s a summary:
- God created Adam and the animals and it was good, but something was missing.
- God created Eve and commissioned Adam and Eve to:
- Reproduce: Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth
- Govern: reign over creation
- Enjoy: eat food God would had provided
- Honeymoon! Now everything was “very good”
But Genesis 2 goes back and gives more detail to the Genesis 1 account with an emphasis on God’s provision, preparing the environment for humans
Then we see this sequence:
- God made Adam. Genesis 2:7 (NLT)
- God put Adam in the Garden. (provision and purpose) Genesis 2:15 (NLT)
- God gave Adam a command. Genesis 2:16-17 (NLT)
- Then God created Eve.
Here’s the takeaway:
- Godly men submit to God and then lovingly lead. This is part of the blessing of differentiation.
- God made men to actively engage with God and others.
- Today’s lie: church is for women.
- Here’s what happens when men fail to stay engaged: God’s blessing gives way to a curse.

Curse (Hostility) Genesis 3:1 (NLT)

The very first thing the enemy does in the world: assaults God’s pattern (men submit, then lovingly lead)
(John Piper clip from Manhood and Womanhood before Sin )

Genesis 3:6 (NLT) The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.

Have you noticed this before:
Man was there! He was passive, failed to step in
She ate first, then gave it to him.

Here’s the result, the curse of sin:

Genesis 3:16 (NLT)

Notice the curse vs the blessing
Blessing: be fruitful and multiply
Curse: it will be painful
Blessing: govern together, two become one (harmonious)
Curse: hostility
You will want to control your husband
The sense here is, He will rule over you
The sense here is, Women and men were both broken because of the fall.
These days it’s a lot easier to talk about toxic masculinity than it is to talk about toxic femininity. But (sorry moms) women are just as broken as men.

Blessings come when men submit to God and speak the truth. Curses come when men shrink back and fail to lead.

Adam and Eve sinned when they believed a lie and elevated their desires above God’s command. The result was a curse: instead of harmony, now there would be hostility between the sexes.
Men, do you want to give a gift to your wives and kids on Mother’s Day? Get serious about your relationship with God. Speak up. Step up. Lead.

Here’s the good news – this curse doesn’t have the final word. God had a plan even in Genesis to deal with this hostility between women and men.

Close

Through Jesus, the curse is reversed and we are free to return to God’s original plan to bless women (and men).