Many significant women are mentioned in the book of Genesis. Some of them are named after the first woman, Eve, as well as Sarah, Rebecca, Leah, Rachael, and Hagar, among others. Other ladies, such as Noah's wife, were not identified. The fact that some of the ladies were not named does not diminish their significance. Each of the women played an essential role in the context of the story in which they featured. Some women did their jobs well and were rewarded for it. Others failed to carry out their responsibilities, and as a result, they were sentenced. All these women are portrayed either negatively or positively. This paper presents the role played by women as well as how they are portrayed according to the Book of Genesis.
Roles of women
Helper
God created a woman specifically to be a helper to the man. God made man first and gave him a lot of responsibilities. The man was to take charge of everything that God had created. These responsibilities were overwhelming that God saw it good to give a man a helper. However, it should be understood that this role does not apply to any man and woman. A woman will assume this role to a man who is her husband. For example, Eve, who was Adam’s helper, was formed from her husband’s rib. God caused Adam to sleep so that he would take one rib and form a woman who is fit for him alone.
A woman must help her husband accomplish God’s will. For instance, God had entrusted Noah with the task to build the arc before the floods. It took Noah many years such that people began mocking him. Noah’s wife had to stand with him to the end and help him accomplish that task. A woman was made for a specific purpose of helping her man counterpart to serve God. Also, research shows that women are very good at selecting the best outfits for their husbands (Finley, Pp. 352). Therefore, women play very significant role in helping their partners dress. For example, Eve was also created purposefully to help Adam dress and keep the garden.
Cain’s wife failed in her duty to ensure that her husband did God’s will. She did not prevent Cain from committing murder. Although Cain’s wife did not take part in Abel’s murder, she had gone from the presence of the Lord just like Cain before the killing took place. As a result, they were both vanished from the land together with their son Enoch. Cain’s wife suffered for the crime that she did not commit but because she failed in her duty as a woman and helper. She was to help Cain to obey God and keep His commandments. A wife must encourage their husband to follow God.
Protecting
Another role played by women involves protecting their husbands in adversities. When famine became severe in Israel, Abraham went down with his wife to sojourn in Egypt. However, Abraham knew that Sarah was a wonderful woman. He was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him so that they can have Sarah if they discovered that she was his wife. Therefore, Sarah and Abraham agreed that once they enter Egypt, they should say that they were siblings. Sarah had to protect her husband from being killed. She said to them that she was indeed Abraham’s sister and the Egyptians dealt well with him. Even in the present world, wives have to take measures and sacrifices to protect their husbands.
More so, Sarah protected her husband from shame. They had stayed for a long time without a child. Couples who live long pass through a lot of mockery and persecution. Family members, friends, and neighbors may utter a lot of hurting words to such couples. Most families tend to blame women in case a child is not born. As a result, most women face these challenges would look for alternatives to make sure a baby is found in that family. Some women may choose to adopt children while others may act like Sarah. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, advised him to take in their maid (Hagar) so that he may have a son with her. Sarah wanted to protect her husband from shame and mockery.
Source of comfort
Women play a key role in comforting their husbands. The presence of a woman in a man’s life takes away loneliness. In the beginning, God created man alone (Adam). Later on, God saw that Adam was lonely and the situation did not please Him. As a result, God made a woman fit for Adam so that she may give him company. Adam was so happy to see a woman designed for him. This role is significant until today. It is every man’s dream to get married to the lady who brings joy and comfort in their lives.
Abraham was concerned about his son’s comfort and joy. He knew that Isaac would find rest in a woman from a noble family. Abraham sent his servants to go down to his relatives and find a good wife for his son, Isaac. Rebecca was indeed a noble and honorable woman who comforted her husband Isaac. Also, when Jacob was staying in his uncle’s place, he was convinced that Rachael was the woman who would cheer his heart. Jacob accepted to work for seven years that Laban may give him Rachael for marriage. When seven years were over, Jacob was given Leah instead of Rachael because a younger sister would not get married before the elder one. However, this exchange did not cause Jacob to give up. He chose to work for seven more years that he may have Rachael. Jacob knew that his happiness and comfort were with her and so he would incur any cost to get Rachael.
Care and concern
Another significant role of women is to show care and concern for their families. As a wife, she is supposed to take charge of her husband. A wife supports her husband in what he does. She stands with him even when everyone else is against them just like Noah’s wife. A wife has to make sure that the husband is properly dressed before leaving the house. Research findings indicate that behind every successful man, there was a woman (Whiteford, Pp. 27-36). When men fail in their endeavors, the society tends to blame the wives for carelessness. Wives should be concerned with the decisions undertaken by their partners. If the decision poses a threat to the family, it the woman’s duty to advise her husband not to pursue it.
As mothers, women are also concerned about their children. Wise women will rise before dawn look for food for the household. Also, a mother is responsible for making sure that the children get along happily. Abel’s mother failed in her responsibility. She did not realize Cain’s anger and hatred against his brother. Cain ended up killing Abel because of jealousy. Rebecca too failed in her responsibilities. Instead of influencing her children to love one another, she encouraged Jacob to steal Esau’s blessings. As a mother, women should avoid partiality when dealing with their children.
To give life
A woman was created to fulfill a unique task of bearing children. This assertion is evident when God mentioned to Eve that she would experience pain while giving birth. A woman, Eve, had caused her husband to sin against God. Therefore, God imposed a curse of labor pains upon a woman. This declaration implies that women are designed to bring forth children. Biologically, women have a womb that has the potential to carry babies as they develop for none months before they are put forth. Men do not have that womb and so cannot bear children. Therefore, God created a woman to help man fulfill the command of subduing the earth specifically. Women are responsible for the upbringing of the children. No wonder it is widely believed that a stupid child is a burden to his or her mother. Women are responsible for developing the characters of their children because they spend most of the time with them. Were it not for the precious women like Noah’s wife; there would e no one in the world today after the flood.
Peace and unity
Women play key roles in ensuring that peace and unity reigns in their families. A woman should detect and prevent anything that threatens togetherness of family. Similarly, she should make an effort to restore peace. For example, Sarah’s family did not have peace because they had no child. Sarah went an extra mile to convince her husband to take their maid, Hagar, so that he may have a son. Children are blessings and source of joy. Many families have broken up for lack of children. Most women like Sarah would do anything to ensure a cry of a baby is heard so that peace may reign.
Women are good at solving family conflicts. If siblings do not get along with each other, women can help to unite them. As peacemakers, women should not side with one party. If she favors one child more than the other, they will drift apart and cause much disagreement. Mothers should treat their children with fairness and equality (Duane, Pp. 1033-1034).
How women are portrayed
Obstacles to God’s plan
The Book of Genesis revealed that women proved to be a road block to God’s plan. Most of them behaved or acted in ways that hindered God’s purpose from being fulfilled. For instance, God created man with a purpose that he should live forever. There was no death. However, God had warned Adam and Eve that if they ate the fruit from the tree in the midst of the garden, they would die. Through a woman, Adam ate the forbidden fruits. As a result, death came upon humanity.
Also, Sarah tried to divert God’s intentions. God had blessed Abraham and promised to give him a son at old through whom he would have many descendants. This son was to e born of Abraham and Sarah. However, before the promise was fulfilled, Sarah sensed a delay. She diverted God’s plan and asked her husband to take a maid so that they may have a son. Hagar bore Ishmael, but God recognize him as the promised son because that was not His plan (Genesis 1-50)
The tool of the devil
The devil used women as tools to accomplish his mission. Satan was aware that man was to live eternally. Therefore, he devised a plan to make sure that eternity does not exist for humanity. The devil knew that disobedience against God would terminate the promised eternal life. Satan made sure that people disobeyed God. He used a woman, Eve. The serpent lied to the woman that she would not die if she ate the forbidden fruits. A woman was convinced and ate the fruit. She went ahead and gave the fruit to Adam. Through the woman, sin entered the world.
Also, the devil uses women to oppress God’s people. Joseph had favor before God and his father. Satan filled Joseph’s brothers with hated that they desired to kill him. However, they decided to sell him to the Egyptians. While in the foreign land, the devil used a woman, Potiphar's wife to make sure Joseph suffered. He was accused of attempted rape and was thrown in prison.
Manipulating
Women are portrayed as mischievous. They tend to forge events in favor of someone while harming others. Rebecca had found out that Isaac was going to bless his son Esau. Jacob was Rebecca’s favorite son, and so she wished that he was the one entitled to those blessings. Rebecca plotted with Jacob. He killed a sheep and wore its skin so that he may smell like Esau. Due to old age, Isaac did not recognize Esau when he came for blessings. Isaac was blind, and so he depended on how Esau smelled. Jacob was blessed was blessed instead of his brother Esau. It was a woman who plotted this evil.
Potiphar’s wife wanted to have an affair with Joseph, but he refused. As a result, Potiphar’s wife planned on how to make him suffer for turning down the offer. Potiphar’s wife told her husband that Joseph tried to rape her. Joseph was then sent to prison. Tamar was also very mischievous. Her husband had died, and their custom prevented her from having any affair. She went to a neighboring city and covered herself like a prostitute. When her father-in-law passed by, he did not recognize her. Therefore, they had an affair. Tamar tricked the father-in-law by taking his staff. Later on, when she was to be judged for committing adultery, she presented the cap and the staff that the father-in-law had left behind.
Unbelieving
According to the book of Genesis, women are full of disbelief. Sarah eavesdropped the conversation between Abraham and angels. God promised them a son. Sarah did not believe the angel’s report. In fact, Sarah laughed ironically. She had reached menopause, and her chances of becoming pregnant were very minimal. Sarah expressed her disbelief also by seeking other alternatives when she took longer to conceive. She could not wait patiently for the promised son. Sarah asked her maid, Hagar, to sire a child for Abraham.
On the contrary, Noah’s wife believed. She trusted the Lord’s report that He was going to bring floods upon the face of the earth. People did not support Noah in building the arc. His wife, though unnamed, stood with him and made sure that Noah did God’s will.
Ungrateful
Most women are ungrateful. They may not recognize the fact that they are favored. Some of the women are ungrateful for good deeds done unto them. Hagar had received favor before Sarah’s eyes. Sarah treated her servants with kindness and humility. She even entrusted Hagar with her husband. However, Hagar became pride when she knew that she had a son while Sarah did not have one. Hagar started treating Sarah with contempt. Sarah could not put up with that behavior that she sent Hagar away to the wilderness.
Similarly, Potiphar’s wife was also ungrateful. Joseph was very loyal to Potiphar and her husband. He carried out his duties diligently. Potiphar’s lusted at Joseph, and when he refused, she plotted evil against him. Potiphar sent Joseph to prison for defiling his wife. Many people are ungrateful because they are selfish. Selfishness blinds their eyes to see the good deeds done by others.
Rebellious
Women rebel against God and human beings. Lot’s wife rebelled against her husband and God as well. God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He warned Lot that he should leave the land with the entire family. God warned against turning back, and Lot made it clear to all family members. However, along the way, Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Rebellion attracts severe punishment from God.
Used and rejected
Sometimes, women are considered as tools to e used and rejected. Sarah was growing impatient of getting a child. She used Hagar to meet the desires of her heart. Later on, Sarah asked Abraham to sent Hagar with her son away. Sarah had become a mother and so she no longer needed Ishmael or his mother. However, the rejection that people face may result from their behaviors. Hagar was sent was because she had started looking down at her mistress.
Easily Swayed
Genesis presents women as creatures who can easily be swayed. Shortly after the Lord had given full instructions to Adam and Eve, the devil appeared. Satan lied to Eve that she won’t die even when they eat the forbidden fruits. In fact, she found interesting that she would become like God once she eats that fruit. The woman believed the devil’s lies that she disobeyed God.
Immoral
Other women are portrayed as immoral. Lot’s daughters committed abomination because of the wicked spirit. Lot’s daughter’s made him drunk and then slept with him. Both of them got pregnant became pregnant with their father. That generation that committed abomination became cursed. On the other hand, Potiphar’s wife was also immoral. She wanted to have a love affair with her servant Joseph. Potiphar's wife was so determined that she had to sent Joseph to prison.
Conclusion
Women play vital roles as seen the Book of Genesis. Although some of them were not mentioned, it did not mean that they were less significant. Apart from being a helper, a woman has to protect her husband in adversities. In general, women are portrayed as obstacles to God’s plan. Women are also ungrateful, disloyal, and mischievous. However, some women are faithful and trustworthy.
Works Cited
Duane, Michael J. "Sex differences in styles of conflict management." Psychological Reports 65.3 (1989): 1033-1034.
Finley, Lucinda M. "The Nature of Domination and the Nature of Women: reflections on feminism unmodified." Nw. UL Rev. 82 (1987): 352.
Wenham, Gordon John. Genesis 1-15. Vol. 1. Zondervan, 2018.
Whiteford, Linda M., and Lois Gonzalez. "Stigma: the hidden burden of infertility." Social science & medicine 40.1 (1995): 27-36.
