The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Mother’s Day

“Searching For the Perfect Woman”

Genesis 2:18-25

Proverbs 31:10-31

Rev. Dr. R. Tim Meadows

Listen to this Sermon!

Notice that the woman was not taken from man’s head to rule over him, or from his foot to be walked over by him, but from his side that she might join him as they support each other in life’s journey. These thoughts attributed to an ancient Hebrew rabbi are a fitting way to begin our discussion on this day we set aside to honor the women in our world.

The rabbi commenting on the Genesis 2 passage we read earlier recognized just how this creation of God changed our world. Can you imagine a world in which there were no women? How dull and boring it would be! God recognized this according to the creation story in Genesis 2 and so he gave Adam a gift that would revolutionize his world.

This is the Bible’s first word on womankind. A word often obscured by the misuse of many other biblical passages which when twisted to the interpreter’s fancy, demean and marginalize the role of women in our world, and create a culture hostile to this valued gift of God. The good news is that this is not the last word of Scripture on women. Indeed, Scripture is filled with all kinds of stories about strong, decisive women who made the world better because they lived.

Perhaps the greatest description of the value of women is offered by the writer of Proverbs in our second reading for this morning. Did you know that this was how the Bible describes women? Had you ever heard this before? Does it encourage you that women of faith can also be strong decisive women who contribute meaningfully to their worlds in all kinds of ways? I hope so!

The writer of Proverbs spares no praise in his description of women. He notes that a woman adds value to the life of her spouse, family, and community. He applauds her work ethic and financial wisdom. He speaks tenderly of her compassion toward those she discovers in need. Most men read this passage and exclaim “ WOW, that is the kind of woman I’ve always wanted! Most women read this passage and sigh, “ wow, that is what I’ve always tried to be, but it seems impossible! Most of us would agree with the conclusions of both men and women concerning this passage. So, what is its real value to us? Well, that is an excellent question, which I shall try to answer at least in part:

It is clear when we couple the passage of Genesis with the Proverb, that women are an intentional gift of God, given to make our world the best it can be.
It is clear that many of our modern perceptions of what the Bible says about women, are distorted and need to be corrected by passages like Genesis 2 and Proverb 31.

It is clear that God created women to be creative, conscientious, contributors to the needs of our world. Imagine the critical needs of your life that might have gone unmet but for the work of a caring woman.

It is clear that God intended for the women of our world to receive recognition for their contributions to its goodness. This is why the writer of Proverbs calls on those closest to the woman to give her respect, reward, and praise.

These clear teachings of Scripture lead me to ask of us some questions:

Gentlemen and families, do you understand that the women in your world are a gift from God?

Ladies, do you understand the important place that God has designated for you in the world?

Gentlemen and families, do you offer the women in your world the respect, reward, and praise they deserve?

Ladies, do you willingly receive the blessing offered to you by God and your families?

I realize that today’s message does not address the subject of those of you who have been hurt by the women in your world. Nor does it acknowledge the well-known truth that some of the evil in our world is caused by women.

There will be other times for those discussions. Today is a day to celebrate the goodness of good women who have made our world better.

When it was determined that I would preach today, Marty said “Man, what a slam dunk, all you have to do is be nice to the women, and you’ll score big time! Ultimately, that is my message to you today. Let us affirm what the writer of Proverb 31 says we should do. Rise up and call her blessed! For charm and beauty fade, but the goodness a woman may do, changes our world forever! May God give us grace to receive goodness from the women in our world, and to bless them for the goodness we receive from them!