Dear Wynona,
From the very beginning, women have a strong role in God’s plan. In creation, God made both man and woman in His image (Genesis 1:27). He gave them both the command to be fruitful, to multiply, and to have dominion over the earth. So from the start, woman was not created as lesser, but as a partner, a “helper comparable” to man (Genesis 2:18). Throughout the Old Testament, women appear as prophets and leaders. For example, Miriam, the sister of Moses, was a prophetess who led Israel in song after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20–21). Deborah was not only a prophetess but also a judge in Israel, giving guidance and judgment to the people (Judges 4:4–5). Huldah the prophetess was consulted by King Josiah’s officials about the book of the law (2 Kings 22:14). These show that God did not restrict women from speaking His word when He chose them.
When we come to Jesus, He treated women very differently than the culture of His time. He spoke publicly to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), teaching her deep spiritual truths and revealing that He was the Messiah. She then went and told the men of her city, becoming the first witness to Christ there, and many believed because of her testimony (John 4:39). Women followed Jesus as disciples, providing for Him and learning from Him (Luke 8:1–3). Mary of Bethany sat at Jesus’ feet as a student, which was normally the place of male disciples, but Jesus affirmed her choice, saying she had chosen “the good part” (Luke 10:39–42).
At the cross, it was mostly women who remained faithful and did not run away (Matthew 27:55–56). And most importantly, the first witnesses of the resurrection were women. Mary Magdalene was the very first to see the risen Christ and was sent by Him to tell the disciples (John 20:16–18). In this sense, she was the first to proclaim the good news of the resurrection. If God wanted to silence women, He would not have made them the first preachers of the greatest message in history.
When Jesus sent His disciples two by two, He chose men at that time, and you are right that in the culture and dangers of the ancient world it would have been hard for women to travel in such a way. But that does not mean they were without role in ministry. The Bible shows them as teachers of their children, as faithful examples, as prophetesses, and as witnesses. From Jesus and the prophets before Him, the pattern is that God uses both men and women. Men often carried the public role of authority in that society because of strength, protection, and culture, but women were never excluded from being vessels of God’s Spirit.
So what does the Bible really teach? It shows that women are equal in God’s sight, made in His image, able to hear His Spirit, able to prophesy, and able to bear witness of the truth. They may not have always had the same public role as men in ancient times, but the word of God comes through them just the same when God chooses. The reason is not that women are less, but that God gave different roles suited to time, culture, and order. Yet in Christ, both men and women are His disciples, and His Spirit is poured out on “sons and daughters” alike to prophesy (Joel 2:28, fulfilled in Acts 2:17). This is why, Wynona, your voice in these end times to help bring the truth to light is so important
Thank you for your humble spirit and your desire to honor God. Remember that your voice still matters greatly—women throughout the Bible spoke truth, encouraged others, and bore witness of God’s works. Even if you choose not to debate, your testimony, encouragement, and sharing of God’s Word are never out of order. Please don’t stop the good works you are already doing, for the Lord sees and values them.
Blessings,