A Woman's Role (According to the Bible)

 

Women have always worked. We were the first gatherers. While the men were running after big game, hunting whatever animals they could track, the women of early humanity walked far afield to gather fruits, berries, and other vegetation. It’s highly likely that women were the first to sew fields, first to plant small gardens of roots and herbs, and later to grow grains and other vegetables. Women tanned and sewed hides into clothing, wove reeds into baskets, and even created nets for fishing. They certainly tended to the community, raised children, healed the sick, and may have even trapped small animals that the males of the tribe deemed too small to be worth the effort. Working women have existed since the dawn of time. Not just in the home, but in the community, in the tribe, in the town, and in the city. So, where do some people get the notion that women should not work outside the home? 

I think it boils down to religion. Or rather, to those who control religion – the powerful hierarchy that has long been comprised of men. For centuries, religious institutions have insisted that a pure and good woman should not work outside the home. That her only duty is that of pleasing her husband and raising his children. Some religions even go so far as to insinuate that a woman should not be outside the home without her male family members and that to do so would be tawdry or downright promiscuous. But it hasn’t always been so.

Whenever I hear someone speak about gender roles and women who work, I am always reminded of Proverbs 31, which describes an ideal wife. Among her many virtues, she is a land owner, a farmer, and a seamstress who sells the garments and other items she makes, which is to say that she uses her skills to provide income for her family. In fact, if you were to rephrase this proverb in modern terms, you might say she has a lot of side hustles. She works hard, and her family is proud of and supports her. You can’t get any more “Girl Boss” than that.

I’d love it if we could remake the world where gender roles don’t matter. A world where we share the work equally according to our skills, rather than our sex. And just because some religion says a woman’s place is in the kitchen doesn’t mean that’s the way it’s always been. Even the Bible has proof of that.

 Here is Proverbs 31 from the English Standard Version (ESV):

10 An excellent wife who can find?

    She is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

    and he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm,

    all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax,

    and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant;

    she brings her food from afar.

15 She rises while it is yet night

    and provides food for her household

    and portions for her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She dresses herself with strength

    and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

    Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She puts her hands to the distaff,

    and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her hand to the poor

    and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,

    for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes bed coverings for herself;

    her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates

    when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them;

    she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

    and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women have done excellently,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,

    and let her works praise her in the gates.