God’s “Great Host” of Women

March 18, 2007

The world as a whole has failed to appreciate the “understanding, insight, or intuition” with which God has endowed women. Bridges for Peace expects our “Woman to Woman 2007” conference to challenge participants and change nations. Women have been used by God in momentous ways since the days of yore. There is an awakening around the world as a spiritual suffragette movement gains solid momentum.

The original suffragettes raised eyebrows at the turn of the 19th century when they began to ask for the right to vote for women. In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters formed the Women’s Social and Political Union. They demanded the right to vote immediately and were prepared to use violence and go to jail to attain their goal. Pankhurst went to jail rather than pay a fine. The battle for women’s rights took a mighty turn with the advent of World War l. Pankhurst instructed her suffragettes to halt the campaign of violence and swing their support behind the government and the war effort. That courageous war contribution by women played a pivotal role in their emancipation.

Women Empowered
When President George W. Bush delivered his State of the Union Address in January 2007, he was the first US president to be welcomed by “Madam Speaker,” a fact he did not miss when he recognized Nancy Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the House.

Condoleezza Rice is a regular visitor to the Middle East. In commenting on how far America has come since Martin Luther King, Jr., “had a dream,” Rev. Glenn Plummer, founding director of Fellowship for Israel and Black America, recently said, “She’s a woman, and she’s black!”

There are many other women who stand out in their chosen fields. I have been particularly blessed by our own President and CEO Rebecca J. Brimmer and by Joyce Meyer, an accurate, anointed Bible teacher. Earlier in my walk of faith, Youth With A Mission leaders like Joy Dawson and Landa Cope taught and influenced me with wisdom and insight. I could fill this page with the names of ladies of great distinction.

Women Abused
The name “Satan” means “adversary.” His efforts oppose all that God intends. One of his most effective tools is to “divide and conquer.” God saw that man was incomplete without woman. He created woman as a partner, a helpmate. He did not create her to be a slave or subservient to man, but to stand alongside him, so He chose the rib, a telling indicator of His plan for man and woman to walk side by side.

Generation after generation has missed it. So many have closed a blind eye and simply created a class distinction that has brought about painful consequences for women. China reports one of the highest suicide rates for women: 150,000 a year. This year’s report on sex slavery in Iran is deplorable. In Israel, there is an outcry against the growing rate of prostitution. Women are smuggled across the border and sold into slavery for US $10,000 to US $15,000 each. Last year 5,000 women were victimized in this trade. Along with missiles, weapons, and drugs, women are smuggled through underground tunnels dug by terrorists.

The world media ignores the situation. Why is this not a major story? Sex racketeering is just one aspect of the abuse inflicted on women. The Woman to Woman Conference will explore this and other issues concerning women.

Women on the Frontlines
God has always anointed women to be on the frontlines. Esther saved her people from wicked Haman (whose modern counterpart plans to “wipe Israel off the map”!). God used Rahab to save Israel’s spies, and He is still calling women to stand with Him today.

From May 15 to 21, Christian and Jewish women from many nations will come to Jerusalem, Israel, to hear how they can be used of God. They will be inspired by women of faith. This four-day Bridges for Peace conference is combined with a two-day seminar sponsored by the Christian Allies Caucus Women’s Council of Israel’s parliament, which will focus on the importance of Christian and Jewish women standing together for God against actions that threaten our Judeo–Christian values.

God is still calling women to speak up, stand up, and make a difference in this world. “The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host” (Psalm 68:11, NASB). God has always ordained it that way.

By Ron Ross, Israel Mosaic Radio

*Orthodox Jews do not spell out the Lord’s name in order to show reverence for Him.

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