Reading Diary A: Bible Women

Reading through the first half of the unit Bible Women there were several stories I knew or vaguely remembered and a couple that were new to me. One common theme that ties all of these stories together is the role of women during these times. Women were expected to be submissive to men in every aspect and to this day certain religions and denominations of the Christian faith still hold this idea at the center of their belief system.

Of all the readings two quotes in particular stood out to me the most. The first was from the story of Rebekah when she asks God why her children were struggling within her womb. God's response was that "two nations [were in her] womb, and two peoples from within [her] shall be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger". That is a pretty powerful message to be receiving about your unborn children and creates strong imagery.

Secondly, a quote from the story of Rachel grabbed my attention. She was sharing a husband with her older sister but she was the one the husband favored. Although she was loved by her husband she could not conceive a child while her sister who was not loved bore many sons. Rachel became so desperate to finally have a child and provide a son for her husband that she demanded "give me children or else I die". This is a powerful statement, but one that I feel is easily relatable. The ability to have children is very important to most women, especially back in these times when a woman's sole purpose was to have sons.

The women of the Bible are important solely due to the sons they produced, other than Delilah who was simply a trickster and nothing more. Although far different from the heroines we have in our present society this was a much different time so the fact that they have mention at all is surprising. In most cases though their stories were used to show the power of God and his helpfulness to those who worship him and his contempt to those who disobey him.

(Where it all Began)