My wife and I visited a small congregation in early 2015 as we saw on their website that they were celebrating Passover (which we enjoy celebrating) and we knew that this is rare among most church groups. To make a very long story short, I want to share a nutshell version of what happened over about a 9 month period that led to my wife and I diving into the Scriptures for months to research this topic. We were without any doubt directed and redirected again and again by the Holy Spirit to study this subject in depth and to address not only the pastor and his wife about this subject, but eventually the entire congregation. I can promise you that we did this in humility, patience and love. It was never received (to our knowledge) but what mattered most to us is that we did what we felt we were called to do. Most of this study came from that experience and from a letter that I wrote to the pastor trying to address our concerns on this subject. We understand it is controversial and we certainly do not take it lightly. We also know that many fellow believers do not share our point of view on this subject. I can assure you that it has NOTHING to do with either myself or my wife feeling that men are more important than women. We do NOT believe that at all.

​

We believe that the primary reason that many fellow believers do not share our point of view is because many people throughout the centuries have taken these Scripture verses that are about to be shared here out of context. Many men have used them to verbally and emotionally abuse women in an attempt to control them and have power over them, causing incredible damage. Another reason many people might not agree with our point of view is due to modern or recent events and changes in our society and culture (such as the women's liberation movement) which have caused people to view or understand these Scripture verses to be outdated, sexist and very anti-women or anti-equal rights.

​

I do not want to come across that I am an authority on this subject. My wife and I feel very confident that we have studied it out in depth enough to firmly believe that our view is well supported throughout both the old and new testaments. However, we are always open to hearing other people's comments, so we can test those comments in the light of Scripture. I will have no problem recanting and repenting if proven to be wrong in this thinking and will gladly adapt or update this study accordingly in such a case. I have only one qualifier to changing this study: I would ask that you bring any comments that you believe refute this study straight from the Scriptures and not from any outside extra-Biblical sources.

​

I repeatedly asked this pastor (and his wife) to please provide any Scriptures that they believed supported their position of his wife being a pastor. We were told repeatedly that the verses Paul taught in 1st Timothy and other places in the Bible were only for that day and church, not for today. The pastor's wife presented a book she had that started out teaching the apostle Paul was a woman-hater and that was the reason why he was single. 

​

Many people believe to study a verse "in context" means to read and apply both the verse before and after that verse, or perhaps to even look at the entire chapter. I believe it means to read EVERY verse in the Bible that deals with the subject and other words and verses related to the original subject you are studying. That was why it took us months to study this subject out. We lovingly continued to attend their church numerous times with his wife teaching behind the pulpit and leading the services, until we became convinced that the Word of God does not support this position and our consciences did not allow us to attend. 

​

With that introduction, let me now give you the nutshell version of what caused my wife Lisa and I to study this subject out for months and why I created this study for our website.

​

We were reading in 1st Tim 2:12 where the apostle Paul wrote what appeared to be some very judgmental and chauvinistic words. Paul said "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." I really wondered about this, so I decided to do a topical study to see what the entire Word of God taught on this subject.

​

I want to make sure that you understand right up front that I do not mean to come across as unloving or as a bigot or as a woman basher. I would never desire to damage any woman by coming across as being better or more worthy than a woman, simply because I am a man. The Father knows my heart and that it has been difficult for me to try to figure out how to share my convictions without hurting anyone’s feelings. So with that said, please also understand that I must stand on the convictions of what “I believe” the Word of YHWH clearly teaches on this subject. Then you can decide if you agree or wish to refute it.

​

I will state the verses I looked up that cause me to believe as I currently do, and then I will attempt to explain in my own words why I see them as I do. I appreciate your willingness to listen and hear me out on this subject, as I know it is controversial. I pray that it causes others to study out this subject in depth. Please, feel free to share your thoughts and comments also, but I would ask that you please read this study in its entirety first before you comment, especially if you just want to tear it apart or desire to prove me wrong.

​

So the first verse that came up when I searched the two words “women” and “rule” together in the same verse was in Isaiah:

​

Isa 3:12  As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women (Strong's # H802) rule (Strong's # H4910) over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

​

The Hebrew word for “rule” here is Strong's # H4910 mâshal (maw-shal')

A primitive root; to rule: - (have, make to have) dominion, governor, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule (-ing, -r), have power.

​

It is interesting that the very first verse in Scripture that uses the word Mashal is in Genesis 1:18. "And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good." In the verse preceding, Genesis 1:16 we see this is talking about the sun and the moon. Even this verse has distinguishing attributes to learn from. Gen 1:16 "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also." Both of these lights are great in the earth but they are different and they have similar and different tasks which complement and rely on each other, just like men and women do. It is significant to take notice of some actual original language for this verse as well. The definition for "greater" used to describe the sun, means: elder, older, more, much, loud, noble, mighty. All of which describe the sun as being created first (elder or older) and giving stronger light, heat, and other benefits to the earth. The word lesser, used to describe the moon means: smaller quantity, size or number, less in age. This describes the moon very well as the light which was created second (less in age), and while being great and important, it has less responsibility in regards to its inability to produce light or create heat, and other attributes which the sun is responsible for. The moon could not adequately perform the tasks of the sun, even if it had a mind to do so, because it was created for important, but yet "different" purposes. 

​

The first time the word rule "Mashal" is used concerning man is in Gen 3:16, which says "Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule (H4910) over thee."

​

So I "personally" concluded two things here: The first is that in Isaiah 3:12 it is stating that it was a shame (or not a good thing) that women had rule over men. It even states later in the same verse that “THEY which lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” So it also appears to me that if the women were ruling over the men, that "they" (the women) were also the “they” that are referred to as “they that lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths”.

​

Secondly, I saw that the second use of the word "rule" is man having "rule" over his wife. Please understand that I believe that a man is only supposed to rule over his wife in a loving, caring and protective manner. This meaning to me would also fit with the headship verses later revealed in the new testament. I also did a search on just the word “rule” throughout the entire Bible and I found no verses at all where YHWH instructs a women to rule over or have authority over a man. For any of you reading this who want to contend with this thought already, please stay with me and read the rest of this study first.

​

You may also think that this was only for that time period. You may have been taught that men having rule over their wives changed after Yeshua died on the cross, or after the Women's Liberation Movement (a group of contentious women seeking political and social power over men and women alike) pushed their agenda upon America. Please consider that women's pain and sorrow during child bearing is still greatly multiplied "even after" the death and resurrection of our Messiah. In addition, the Women's Liberation Movement does not have authority over the Word of YHWH, any more than the pope or anyone else does. 

​

At this point, almost anyone who disagrees with my previous statement will ask: "But what about Deborah, she was a prophetess and a judge, so didn't she rule over men?" I used to think so, but after going through this complete study, I no longer think that she "ruled" over men. I also do not believe that "she herself" taught men or usurped authority over men. Please allow me to explain my thoughts on this.

​

There were several women used in the office of a prophetess, such as Deborah, who were called upon to speak the direct words of YHWH. "Prophecy" is one of the gifts of the Spirit. All people may be used in the gifts of the Spirit (both men and women), "provided" it does not violate the other teachings and doctrines in the Scriptures. Deborah did not bring "her own" judgment over the house of Israel. She was a notable servant to YHWH and the people. Deborah was a prophetess who spoke YHWH's judgments over Israel. The book of Judges chapter 4, verse 4 says that she “judged” Israel (but please look up the Hebrew word for "judged" as it means "to pronounce sentence for or against" Israel) at that time. Verse 5 says: “the children of Israel came to her for judgment”, just as they would have come to any other prophet or prophetess to hear "YHWH’s" Words of judgment. Deborah did go with Barak "up to" the battle, but Barak was still the one who called the men to assemble for war and led the men "into" the battle, not Deborah. I could not find even one verse in the entire Bible stating that any woman was "instructed" to teach men or to usurp authority over men.   

​

Another prophetess mentioned in the Bible in two verses was Huldah. Like Deborah, she was a prophetess and spoke the Words of YHWH's judgment over Israel. These two verses give no indication that she tried to usurp authority over any man, nor that she tried to teach men what the Word of YHWH meant, as a teacher would. She simply spoke as directed by the Spirit and said: "Thus says YHWH .." and pronounced "YHWH's judgment" over Israel.

​

Some people will claim that Queen Esther is an example of a woman having authority over men. Let's look at this. I have a great love and respect for what Queen Esther did for her people and for the respect she showed toward her cousin Mordecai and King Ahasuerus, and her great obedience to YHWH. However, the man of authority in the story is clearly King Ahasuerus, whose ruling authority was given to him by YHWH. Queen Esther was used greatly, but she stayed submissive to her husband the King and to her cousin Mordecai. Yes, she did come before the King unannounced at her own peril that one time and risked her very life to save her people, but she was still under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to do what she did and proceeded with faith that YHWH would either protect her by His sovereign hand of grace or use her death to bring glory to Himself. But, we do not see any examples of Esther teaching men what YHWH's Word means or usurping authority over men. The story of Esther clearly demonstrates her love and obedience to YHWH and her humble life as a servant willing and ready to do His will, even if it meant her own death. In other words, she was used to speak YHWH's Words, just as all of the male prophets were also voice boxes in His service. (This study ended up being too large for one page so please click HERE to read Part 2 and thank you so much for your patience and consideration).