Prominent Women

Scripture: Acts 17 4 Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women…12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men…34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them. (Acts 17:4, 12, 34 NLT) I think tradition has misled us to some extent about the status and role of women in ancient cultures. We’re told that women were treated merely as property in ancient Jewish society and even worse in Greek and Roman culture. It’s true that women really have been treated badly, and still are, in many places and situations. But think about this:
• The woman described in Proverbs 31 was a businesswoman and capable manager of her household and was honored accordingly.
• Judges 4 and 5 tells of Deborah, a woman who was both a prophetess and leader of Israel.
• Lydia of Philippi was a prosperous, influential businesswoman in a Greco-Roman city, and Paul and Silas started the Philippian church out of her prayer group.
• In Pisidian Antioch, in what is modern-day Turkey, there were influential women who were ranked with the leaders of the city.
• In Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, prominent women were among Paul’s first converts to faith in Jesus. It’s clear that women have played key and influential roles in many different cultures! And it’s my opinion that women should be free to exercise their God-given gifts and abilities without being artificially restricted and limited by cultural attitudes. But my point here is not about the role women should play, my point is that we so often form opinions and make judgments without really checking the facts. Let’s not just accept traditional opinions without serious thought and investigation. Some traditions are wrong. Some opinions are wrong. Check things out and think things through before making judgments or arriving at conclusions. Prayer: Father, Please help me to think things through in the light of all the evidence, and not make assumptions based merely on traditional attitudes and opinions. And thank you that you have always considered women to be capable and worthy of prominence and influence. Amen.