International Women’s Day: Is God a Feminist? – Maame Esi Senyiwah writes

• Posted on March 8, 2018
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

IS GOD A FEMINIST? That’s a rather bold question isn’t it? Am I blaspheming? Well it depends on your definition of feminism.
 Today being International Women’s Day, I wish we settle this score once and for all as God gives us understanding, shall we? OK!
I read a very refreshing account in scripture that forever shifted my paradigm on God’s interest in women and their ‘all important rights.’

In Numbers chapter 27, there is the story of the five daughters of Zelophehad; it’s an inspiring story of feminism, faith, bravery and wisdom.
 In the story, a man named Zelophehad died, and around the time he died, the rules were clear under the laws of Moses; only sons were supposed to inherent portions of the promise land and Zelophehad had no sons, just 5 daughters..

I am sure a lot of the women at the time  succumbed knowing the rules were already laid down but the daughters of Zelophehad were different. They knew the rules were not fair. It would mean they had no inheritance in the Promised Land. It would also leave them landless, penniless and helpless. That was wrong!

The Bible says the five of them Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah ,Milcah and Tirzah went to Moses and the elders in the entrance of the temple. In the verse 4 this was their demand:

4 Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father.

 That was brave! Isn’t it? If you read your bible enough, you will know such audacity in that dispensation could cost one to be struck down at once! Well, Moses took it to God even though the rules were fixed and I can bet my bottom dollar that the bravery and wisdom of the women left him compelled to.
Guess what God did? No He didn’t cause to ground to open and swallow instead He said this:

‘’And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 7 The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.’’

Wow! Not only did God grant them their request, the former rules were changed and from that time onward, women had an inheritance regardless of whether they had male siblings or not.

NB: These women had other options. They could have played the victim card and gone from tent to tent complaining. They could have rushed into marriage to solve their problems or they could have proudly bare the ‘I AM A WOMAN AND IF NOT INHERITING A LAND MAKES ME LESS OF A WOMAN THEN SO BE IT’ tag but they had knowledge of their God; that he was a just God. They had the wisdom on how to present their case such that it would challenge God to prove His fairness. And they had faith that protected them from fear, such that in the case of Mahlah Zelophehad et al vs. God, God ruled in their favor!

According to Gloria Steinman, anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men is a feminist. Going by this particular definition I think God is the first ever feminist that lived! Because He created woman in His image and made her at par with man (Oh yea! woman was meant to be a help meet; a befitting help to man and no less).

So women, especially Christian women should receive this illumination from scripture, and shirk any excuse not to rise up and be what God has destined them to be. The model woman of Proverbs 31 was highly successful such that her husband received praise at the gate because of her and not the other way round. We are empowered enough to take care of our homes, raise godly achieving  children, be the perfect help meet to our husbands, succeed in our chosen endeavors and so much more! (Note that the proverbs 31 woman had lots of maidservants so she wasn’t an eight legged octopus woman doing everything by herself!)

Rise up and remember this o Woman, that if God created us in His own image and He created the world, we can at least create a world for ourselves!

So finally, is God a feminist?  Oh yes! And though he doesn’t condone abortion like the world does, he has given women everything we need to get ‘good’ success if only we abide in Him!

Happy International Women’s Day!

Author: Maame Esi Senyiwah
Radio Presneter, Radio Maxx, Proprietress, Lovenest Baby Zone, Takoradi