God's Standard Of Accountability For Men Series

The Bible emphasizes God's concern for the well-being and dignity of women. Throughout Scripture, we find examples of men being held accountable for their actions towards women. Here are five biblical examples:

1. Adam's Responsibility (Genesis 3:1-7, 12-13)

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command. When confronted, Adam shifted the blame to Eve, saying, "The woman you put with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it" (Genesis 3:12). However, God held Adam accountable for his actions, saying, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it'..." (Genesis 3:17). Adam's attempt to deflect responsibility did not excuse him from the consequences of his actions.

2. The Abuse of Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-33)

King David's son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. When David learned of the incident, he was angry but did not take immediate action against Amnon (2 Samuel 13:21). However, Absalom, Tamar's full brother, eventually avenged her by killing Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29). David's inaction was not without consequence; the incident contributed to the turmoil that plagued his family and kingdom.

3. The Protection of the Daughters of Lot (Genesis 19:1-11)

When the men of Sodom demanded that Lot hand over his male guests, Lot offered his daughters instead, saying, "Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them" (Genesis 19:8). Although Lot's actions may seem reprehensible, the angels intervened, striking the men with blindness and saving Lot's daughters from harm. This example highlights God's protection of women from exploitation and abuse.

4. The Punishment of Jezebel (1 Kings 21:1-16, 2 Kings 9:30-37)

Queen Jezebel orchestrated the murder of Naboth, a innocent man, to acquire his vineyard for her husband King Ahab. Elijah prophesied that Jezebel would be punished for her role in Naboth's death, saying, "Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel" (1 Kings 21:23). Years later, Jehu, the new king of Israel, had Jezebel thrown from a window, and her body was indeed eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:30-37). This example demonstrates God's judgment on those who exploit and harm others, including women.

5. The Defense of the Widow (Isaiah 1:17, 23; 10:1-4)

In Isaiah's time, widows were often vulnerable to exploitation and injustice. God commanded His people to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow" (Isaiah 1:17). However, Isaiah lamented that the leaders of Judah had failed to defend the widow, instead exploiting and oppressing them (Isaiah 1:23; 10:1-4). This example emphasizes God's expectation that men will defend and protect vulnerable women, such as widows.

In conclusion, these five biblical examples demonstrate God's standard of accountability for men's actions towards women. They highlight the importance of treating women with dignity, respect, and compassion, and emphasize the consequences of exploiting, abusing, or neglecting them. As followers of God, we must strive to uphold His standard of accountability and promote a culture of honor, respect, and protection for all women.