Traci, is the role of a woman distinct? What's our place?

Yes, I do believe that the role of a woman is distinct. God did that. Why? Because the seed (Messiah) came from the woman (Eve) to bruise Satan's head. The woman is used throughout the entire Bible to point us to Christ. Then, the seed of Abraham through Sarah to inherit the promise. The seed in Isaac. The seed narrowed down through Leah and Rachel and her handmaidens to single out the Messiah coming from the tribe of Judah. Next, of the thousands of families in the tribe of Judah, God made another choice through woman...the Messiah must come from one family line, the family of Jesse. Thus, bringing about the seed of David through Ruth to establish the Kingdom. So, God used women to accomplish His purpose and plan all throughout history. He still does.

Here are more examples: There is Puah and Shuah (Egyptian midwives) who saved the babies in Egypt found in the book of Exodus. Puah and Shuah eventually helped in saving Moses. Moses gave us the LAW. Then, what about Zipporah? Moses would have been slain and buried if she wouldn't have circumcised him. She was used as a helpmate in preserving the COVENANT. There were women who helped in building the tabernacle that spun the goat's hair found in the book of Exodus. 'Women' provided the work of the curtains. There is Rahab...who delivered the two spies. There is the account of Deborah and Jael's military victory found in the book of Judges. There is Hannah who gave her son to God so that her son would prophesy to Israel about the prophet to come. She help to give us history in I & II Samuel. Again, we referenced Ruth the Moabite. I think she impacted Bethlehem and Judah in her day by giving us Jesse and KING David and our Messiah. Then, in the New Testament there is Mary who delivered the seed. What about Elizabeth? She gave us the forerunner who announced the seed! Or Mary and Martha, Priscilla, Aquilla, Lydia, Lois, Phoebe etc. who told about the seed. AND...the many women who followed Jesus witnessing the seed. Remember the compassion Jesus had upon the Woman at the Well? She later became the greatest missionary of Samaria. The world thought of her as a dog though and many wanted to destroy the seed!

Women weren't excluded from service or being used in uniting the kingdom's work. We are a great part of it! Even Saul dragged off the men and women of the church according to Acts 8:3. Women weren't just idle or sitting still. Matter of fact, they were impacting homes and communities too!

We are distinct. We are gifted. We have a significant place. We simply need to make sure our place is in Christ...and light the way in our homes, families, churches and communities.

Use your gifts!