For Rachel was a
My husband and I read Hebrews 11 together last night.
This was a wonderful thing - we had just watched a movie, which unfortunately I doubt is a fun occurrence for him any more.
Since reading articles, papers and different information (and receiving conviction in my spirit about the state of women within our cultural framework - both within The Salvation Army and the world at large) - I critique things in quite a different light. Don't get me wrong - I'm always down for a schmoozy movie or blustery action film. I can even sometimes overlook the insidious power dynamics and the relentless subtext that inextricably weds marital status and sexual desirability to the complete value a woman holds in popular film.
But not always.
When watching movies, this discontent manifests as a running commentary - and my general movie audit looks something like this: "How many dudes are in that boardroom? Cool, 1000 and how many women? None? Brilliant." "Woman being yelled at? Abused in this scene? Does she get any lines? Nope? Good one, producers!" "Does the woman have anything to do other than being naked or in a relationship? No? Surprising!".
It seems that the more movies and media and conversations I see unfold, the more I learn and understand how language shapes our view of gendered power and purpose.
The more I witness how women are denied agency and autonomy when represented (or not represented, as it is - women of colour barely get a look in, in many statistics, jobs and roles both on and off every type of screen) - the more rage I feel every day at the myriad injustices women face.
What about when you read the Bible - and ask - where are the women?
My husband and I delved together into Hebrews chapter 11 - a litany usually titled "Heroes of the faith". Of the multitudes of names listed, only two are women. One of those women is the wife of Abraham, and the other is a prostitute.
I sometimes find it hard to divorce myself from the power dynamics in language and station, status and function that are found inherent in the stories told of women in the Bible. Admittedly, some of the way I read the Bible is tainted through my own bias, non-translatable cultural setting, poor understanding or just plain bad interpretation.
I always come to my Biblical readings with questions. But I never assume that the Bible is the broken one.
This I know: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." I can trust the Word to use His vitality, life and activity to reshape wrong thinking in me - so I can see God more clearly, through eyes-unblinded. Soften my heart and strengthen my desire, Lord.
This I know: I don't belong to a legion of populace who are secondary, inferior or cast as merely peppy cheerleaders (Eve as 'helper', anyone?) in the story of creation or the story of our world. We are not made to find totality in or be penalised for our gender... at least not in God's own eyes. And here is where the kingdom comes in; redressing the balance between what God longs for - and states as fact - and what the world expresses as reality.
Faith is us discrediting the latter and allowing the former to reach fruition. Am I standing in the way?
Who I know: a Lord who is not forgetful, tired or bad at being... God. He is perfect, just, unchanging, merciful and loving. He is no 'respecter of persons' - man or woman. Lord, teach me in humility and quietness before you.
Reading Genesis 29 today, I came across Jacob - wily, weaselly Jacob - arriving at a well in Paddan Aram after fleeing his home because of birthright-theft. That one's probably not covered under any form of insurance policy. He arrives in the middle of this presumably hot, arid place to find the flocks and their shepherds gathered around the well.
"The stone over the mouth of the well was large. When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well." Genesis 29:2-3
“Look,” [Jacob] said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” “We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.” Genesis 29:7-8
This scripture really struck me. Jesus Christ after his crucifixion was buried in a tomb beneath the ground. The tomb was sealed with a great stone. Read for yourself what Jesus has to say when witnessing a woman at a similar well, centuries later:
"Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”" John 4:10-14 NIV
A stone rolled away. A well where sheep are already gathered.
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:16 NIV
An outpouring awaiting all the sheep of the flock to return.
This is a beautiful story. And not only so - but look at Genesis 29:9 - "While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd.".
For she was a shepherd. I don't want to stretch this analogy too thin, but I will apply it to this revelation. The other shepherds at the well were waiting for - according to some commentators - Rachel and her flock to arrive. Then the stone could be rolled away and the life-giving water flow could begin. I didn't know this prior - but according to customs of the time, the youngest unmarried daughters of Sheiks would be shepherds.
Unmarried, low station, wanderer.
Do you know who else was a shepherd?
David.
Forgotten. Labourer. Despised.
Do you know who likens Himself again and again to a shepherd?
Jesus Christ.
Feckless. Unskilled. Nobody.
Do you know who else is a shepherd?
I am a shepherd.
YOU are a shepherd.
For I am a daughter. I am one that Christ waits for, so that I might be filled with the spring of water, welling up to eternal life. Jesus takes us from our nothingness, rolls away the stone of death and breathes life - that we may be a living vessel to pour out praise and inspire creation in everything we spill onto.
When it seems scary, or hard, or the odds are never in our favour - I know God has seen me, asks me to know His name, His voice and seek His face. Then and only then do I have the right to pursue the kingdom of God - the redressing of balance within gender 'norms' and societal ills and the hearts of mankind - because His spirit tells me so.
When you are afraid, remember that you am part of something larger, bigger and better - and that God has already given us the gift of his promised kingdom. Together we will experience God's good pleasure together. We are called to tend the flock. That is the our commission in demonstrating the love of Christ - both to others, and to God Himself.
"The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17
Won't you join me at the well?
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32 ESV