Why Were Women Treated Poorly In The Old Testament?

Proverbs 15:14
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Why were women in the time of the old testament treated so poorly?

This was unfortunately the cultural norm throughout most of mankind’s history.

It comes down to a sinful desire for Power and Control. We see the same from Satan:

Isaiah 14:12-15
How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit.

This shows God’s grace in action, as he used broken people, who messed up in big ways.

We need to consider what Jesus said however, when casting animosity towards those who committed these acts. Jesus said in Matthew 5 in the Beatitudes:
‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

This puts us all on the same ground as those who have done these things. As a result, choose a tone of thankfulness to God for His grace.

With that said, the Bible champions women throughout its many books, to name a few:

• Miriam, Moses sister, protected Moses in his early years and shows great leadership in this time
• Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho helped the spies and was spared from the city’s destruction and is in the lineage of Jesus
• Deborah was a Judge of Israel and Prophet of God
• Ruth, a Moabitess was renowned for her faith despite not being raised as an Israelite
• Esther, became queen who saved her people from genocide
• Mary, the mother Jesus, chosen by God to give birth to His Son because of her incredible faith
• Lydia, is considered by many as one of the earliest conversions to Christ and Paul discusses her as a strong person of faith

This is just a sample of many of the amazing women that feature prominent roles in Scripture, but we need to see that while society has not always valued women as it should, God always has.