The Bible proclaims that every male and female human being has intrinsic and equal worth and is a reflection of God because they are made in His image. Those who say that the Bible portrays women as subservient to men have never read the Bible or don't know anything about it; otherwise, they would have discovered that males and females were created equal in God's image, which set the foundation of equality and mutual respect.
The Bible uses the term "helper" for the first woman, Eve, which denotes strength and support and is used elsewhere to describe God Himself, suggesting a role of significant strength and partnership (Genesis 2:20).
The Bible is filled with examples of influential, solid women who played pivotal roles throughout history, such as Deborah (Judges) and Esther (Esther). Proverbs 31 describes a woman of noble character as someone diligent, wise, and capable, which is far from being merely subservient. In the New Testament, the interactions of Jesus with women were revolutionary.
There are many wonderful, godly women in the Bible. Deborah, whose name means 'honey bee,' served as a Judge during a very dark time in Israel. She is an example of positive female influence as a "mother of Israel" who encouraged people to follow the Lord (Judges 5:7).
Deborah is an example for every woman to follow. She clearly understood God's voice and used her relational influence to encourage men to lead and to give themselves willingly on behalf of others (Judges 5:2,7,18).
The primary rulers and commanders of Israel and their armies were Judges for almost 350 years that included some of Israel's worst times because there was an absence of male leadership. The lesson learned from the book of Judges is that it is a record of what NOT to do or follow.
"In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6 ESV, also 18:1, 19:1, 21:25)
Deborah serving as a Judge was actually a rebuke to Israel for the absence of male leadership. That is made clear by the Prophet Isaiah during another dark period in Israel's history, when he asserted that women ruling was a sign of God's judgment:
"My people-infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths." (Isaiah 3:12 ESV)
Deborah was "a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth" who was "judging Israel at that time" (Judges 4:4). She "would sit under the palm tree" and not in a public court, "And the children of Israel came up to her" privately "for judgment" (Judges 4:5). Other female prophets include Miriam (Ex 15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9).
Deborah did not publicly teach how the laws of God were to be applied and carried out for the people of Israel (Judges 4:5). Just as Huldah and other prophetesses, she is another example of a woman limited to private and individual instruction, unlike other Prophets (Judges 4:5; 2 Kings 22:14-20).
Deborah received a prophetic word from God for Barak and encouraged him to lead and summon the army because God had called him to command them and claim victory over Sisera. Unfortunately, Barak rejected God's call and said to Deborah, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go" (Judges 4:8 ESV).
Deborah reprimanded Barak for failing to lead and prophesied, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" (Judges 4:9 ESV).
The Bible presents Deborah's story as a criticism of Barak's failure to heed God's call to lead. She told Barak that God desired him to lead Israel and rebuked him when he would not take charge (Judges 4:6-9). Deborah did not take control when Barak refused to lead. Instead, she submitted to God directing Barak's steps to victory.
"…Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun'" (Judges 4:6b ESV)
Deborah prophesied that Sisera, who was a threat to Barak, would be killed by a woman.
The wife of a Kenite man, Jael, met Sisera and invited him into her tent, where she killed him with a tent peg and fulfilled the prophecy (Judges 4:21).
The story of Deborah demonstrates that God uses people without being bound by how they are ranked by human culture. Before Deborah's account, the story of Ehud, the left-handed deliverer, is told (Judges 3:12-30). In Eastern culture, the right hand was associated with strength, authority, and wisdom. The left hand was associated with weakness, foolishness, and waywardness (see Genesis 48:12-20; Exodus 15:6, 12; Isaiah 48:13; Psalm 110:1; Ecclesiastes 10:2; Matthew 25:33, 41). The story of Gideon follows after Deborah. He was the youngest member of the weakest clan (Judges 6:15). These stories reveal that God is not partial when He uses someone for His purposes.
Deborah's acting as a Judge was not the same as the other major Judges of the time (Judges 4:4). Her name is not found in lists that include Barak (See 1 Samuel 12:9-11; Hebrews 11:32). Her story reveals that gender is essential and is an example of why the Bible gives specific roles and commands to men and women.
Shamgar distinguishes himself from Barak through his courage and defense of the nation. The Bible descriptively states that God raised up some judges for the nation, but it does not say every judge was raised by Him (Judges 2:16-18). It also does not say that God appointed Shamgar or Deborah, even though others clearly were. In the days of Shamgar, "the highways were abandoned, and travelers kept to the byways" and "villagers ceased" (Judges 5:6 ESV). When Deborah arose as a mother in Israel, it became a time of poverty rather than prosperity (Judges 5:7). The people suffered under both Shamgar and Deborah.
POPULAR CULTURE
Contrary to popular culture, God chose to make men and women different emotionally and physically. They have different responsibilities as they work together to serve Him. Even though it was Eve who the devil deceived, she was not held responsible. As the head of humankind, Adam was held responsible for sin entering the DNA of the human race, and as a result, everyone dies (1 Corinthians 15:22). The 'fall' took place when Adam passively obeyed his wife instead of God.
"Because you have listened to the voice of your wife…" (Genesis 3:17 ESV)
Abraham also, instead of heeding the voice of God, listened to his wife, Sarai, who said to him, "Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her" (Genesis 16:2 ESV).
God has given women appointed assignments, such as Mary to have a child and name Him Jesus, which she accepted (John 1:28-31). Throughout Scripture, God uses women for His purposes with limitations. However, those purposes do not include leading over their husbands or the church.
The Bible does not tell us how Deborah became a Judge of Israel, yet it is clear that God had appointed male Judges. The Bible states that Deborah was a prophetess, which would not conflict with what it says about male leadership.
THE BIBLICAL STRUCTURE OF LEADERSHIP
The Bible reveals that Jesus chose 12 men to be His Apostles for essential leadership roles. The 70 disciples were men who Jesus sent out after the 12 (Luke 10:1). Church elders/bishops/overseers (Gk: 'episkope') are to be men who exercise oversight, and by definition, would include the role of a church Pastor (1 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:6, 9; see also 1 Peter 5:2).
The book of Timothy discusses the structure of leadership as it addresses a plurality of groups in general (women, overseers, and deacons). Prayer is discussed for a tranquil life, and that it is God's desire to save everyone (1 Timothy 2:1-6). Men (Gk: 'andras') are implored to pray (1 Timothy 2:6-8).
Instructions are given to women, and not just an individual "woman" (Gk: 'gune') as the word refers to women of any age, whether a virgin, married, or a widow, about adornment, submission, teaching, and leadership authority (1 Timothy 2:12). Women and childbearing are also discussed (1 Timothy 2:15).
God said, "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing - if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control" (1 Timothy 2:12–14 ESV).
The Greek word for "not" is 'ou' and expresses an absolute negative with no end. Contrary to modern progressive interpretation, the verse does not infer or imply a temporary cultural prohibition. The Greek word for "teach" is 'didasko' and means to give instruction, to teach for learning (1 Timothy 4:11, 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:2). In context, it refers to teaching sound doctrine. The Greek word 'heterodidaskaleo' is used twice in the New Testament when referring to the teaching of heretical doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3, 6:3). The Greek word for "exercise authority" is 'authenteo' and means to exercise self-given personal authority, to domineer or have dominion over others.
The Bible says that women are to learn in entire submissiveness because of the created order and that Eve was deceived first (1 Timothy 2:9-14). More instructions are then given about the requirements for men to be deacons (Gk: 'diakonos'), which primarily denotes a person attending to the needs of others, including serving like a waiter/waitress or attendant, one who runs errands, and is used in defining the office of pastor/teacher (1 Timothy 3:1-13). It must be noted that the word is also used in reference to the woman Phoebe in the church at Corinth, who was commended for being an assistant to the leadership and for her tireless service to others (Romans 16:1-2).
The preceding texts listed are not dealing with a temporary behavior that needed to be corrected but is a verification of the biblical precedent seen throughout Scripture beginning in Genesis that rules out the possibility of God changing His mind. It is also important to note that throughout the first three chapters of 1 Timothy, the plural is used when describing those who teach error (heresy) and not the singular, except for two named individuals, Hymenaeus and Alexander. The discussion is exclusively about teaching men.
Within the church and homes today, passive men struggle with being a leader who actually leads, which has resulted in women left standing in the gap as they search for a biblical leader. As a result, women are left feeling as if they need to be like Deborah and carry some of the load that God intended only for a man. This cannot be solely blamed on the secular world or culture because it is the Bible alone that reveals that male leadership is God's pattern for within the home and church. Churches are not responsible for raising children and educating them in the ways of God. They are responsible for encouraging and training men to be good husbands and fathers to become the pastors/shepherds of their families.
Deborah set the example to be followed by women to do what she did when encouraging Barak to lead, telling him what God desired, and rebuking him when he would not take charge. Deborah did everything she could to avoid leading the men and made every effort to see a man lead, but none came forward. God can use anyone He calls to accomplish His purposes, whether it's a man, woman, donkey (Balaam), fish (Jonah), etc. But just because He uses people doesn't legitimize the situation or their actions (see Judges 14:3-4).
There were two women in the Bible, Athaliah, and Jezebel, who exercised authority over men, but they are not shown as shining examples of virtue and godly wisdom to follow (2 Kings 11; 2 Chronicles 22-23; Revelation 2:18-29). Jezebel and Ahab's relationship is a perfect example of what happens when biblical roles of leadership are switched. Jezebel had Naboth murdered while Ahab passively submitted to his wife as she led. Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah are also other good examples.
CONCLUSION
There are amazing women in the New Testament who God powerfully used. Within the church, some men clearly do not have the ability to lead and teach effectively. It is not a question of ability but what God's Word says, and there is no exception to be found that women were called or allowed to rule and lead over men because He forbids and condemns it (Isaiah 3:12; 1 Timothy 2:12).
God has gifted many women with leadership and a teaching ability that must be exercised within the biblical boundaries of being over other women and children. God put restrictions on women's roles and gave them a greater focus on their husbands, children, and homes (Titus 2).
When women are mentioned in the New Testament, they are often applauded for their contributions to the work of God but nowhere are they shown to be in positions of teaching or authority over men. The Bible says that women are not to serve in any role which involves the authoritative spiritual teaching of men, such as a Pastor/Shepherd/Elder (1 Timothy 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:6-9).
Jesus hand-picked 12 men to be His Apostles (Matthew 10:2). Church leaders are described as the "husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive" (1 Timothy 3:2-4 ESV). It is important to understand that the violation of God's command in the Scriptures that women are not to instruct men or hold improper authority over men in the church is a behavioral sin like any other. It is not a doctrinal issue.
The Bible encourages every woman to actively function in all the supernatural gifts, which includes the edifying and exhorting gift of prophecy, as well as to proclaim the Gospel to the lost, teach and lead other women and children (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Peter 3:15; Titus 2:3-5). The only exclusion is that they are forbidden to teach "over the man" (1 Timothy 2:12).
In review, the Bible does not say that Deborah was appointed by God to lead, unlike the men He chose and empowered for leadership (See Judges 3:9,15; 6:14; 11:29; 13:24-25). Deborah led Israel as a judge because no man was willing to lead. She was not the foundation for female leaders in the church. Only men are called to lead, but not ALL men are called to lead because just being a man is not a qualification alone. There are far too many men in church leadership who are unfit to lead.
The story of Deborah shows us how God used a courageous, faithful woman to help deliver His people from bondage and oppression, which should encourage women to do what she did and for men to avoid Barak's mistakes. There are many amazing women of faith in Scripture, but none held authoritative positions in a Synagogue or church.
Sadly, the truth is that women in the church are often underappreciated, underused, and undervalued because men have repeatedly failed in their authoritative role in both the church and their household.
God is still using women for His glory every single day. However, that does not change the fact that God has never called a woman to lead any nation or church in the Bible. God laid out the foundational leadership order when He created the first man, Adam, as the head of mankind and then created Eve, the first woman to be a helper (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12). Just as Jesus is the head of the church, the husband is the head of the wife, and men are to be the authoritative teaching Pastor/Shepherd/Bishop/Elder in the church (Ephesians 5:23).
