Jesus Café Ministries - Scripture Squad - What were women like in Jesus' time?

From: marjorie
I'm just enquiring about women in Jesus' time. I'm doing this assignment for religion and it requires me to find out about:

how women were treated in Jesus' time
what were their lives like?
what duties did they perfom?

Thank you.

Marjorie,
During the time our Lord walked on earth, in the pagan societies (non believing) there were extreme opposites in the value of women. Some societies treated women as property, slaves, mere instruments of man's whims and pleasures. In other pagan societies, women were treated as goddesses and were actually worshipped. This segment made idols of women and taught their daughters how to be prostitutes in pagan temples to appease this mindset.

However, in Jewish circles, women were valued as creations of God and neither worshipped nor treated as property. Certainly, it was a male dominated society, but women who worshipped the God of Israel had great freedoms. They could own property, own businesses, raise families and worship in freedom. Dr. John Garr of "Restoration" magazine says: "The coming of Jesus brought a reformation of restoration to the original intents of the Torah. Jesus elevated women to equality with men so that they could sit among the talmudim (disciples) "at his feet" and be covered with the dust of their Rabbi and Lord. "

Each sabbath in Jewish homes there is and was in the time of Jesus a blessing said over the wives. It comes from Proverbs 31:10-31. It is not only a blessing on the wife, but shows a great deal about what women did and the value placed on her:

Proverbs 31:10-31:

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (KJV)

We see the value that God gives women as He used a woman to bring forth the Messiah. The first ones to proclaim "He is alive!" were women. And women were encouraged to learn and grow from His teachings.

Contrary to some teachings both then and now, it is ONLY through faith in God through Jesus the Son that our true identity and worth as women can be understood. It is through His mercy and grace that we have the true freedom to be the women He created.

Thank you for your question.

- The Scripture Squad :
TCCaleb, WMomTCC & RuthCCC