Consider another Zinger on the theology of women. Again I have written in my article The Image of God in Man that I am opposed to efforts to change God's Word to be gender neutral. Though again, upon further reflection, there may be another important doctrine for the politically correct to gain ground in the area of gender equality. Proverbs 29:25 (WEB) says, "The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe."
Here is a teaching that could deserve a whole chapter in our theology books today. The fear of man is truly a snare that can lead us to lie, cower, remain silent, or even deny Jesus our Lord. I myself could certainly use a regular exhortation to walk through this life as the person I really am...an ambassador of Heaven, a brother and friend of Christ, and a son of the living God!
But what of the fear of woman?
Again we know that God intended to say "man" in the verse above, but also means that fear of man or woman is a snare. It could be useful, however, to specifically consider the fear of woman. Let's look at the powerful prophet Elijah. "Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I don't make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time!' When he saw that, he arose, and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there" (I Kings 19:1-3 WEB).
Here is a great irony. Elijah had single-handed called 450 prophets of Baal to a show down on Mount Carmel and kicked their butts. Moreover, Elijah had the false prophets brought to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there. Strangely, however, Elijah then flees at the threat of one woman. The Bible offers no interpretation for this irony, but leaves that to our speculation.
So for the sake of godly men facing a female antagonist I will add my 6 pennies. In my article A Brief Theology of Food and Clothing I explain 1) men more naturally fight for power with aggression, 2) women more naturally fight for power with sexuality, 3) God calls Christian men to lay down aggression for prayer, and 4) God calls Christian women to lay down immodesty for modesty and good deeds.
In the same article I also suggest it is very rare to find a woman who fights for power with the tactics of men. It would be strange to see a woman flex her muscle to a man. Strange as it is, however, Jezebel, was just such a woman. When faced with this situation most men would be as stupefied as being faced off against a squad of women in the Super Bowl. Aggression is the natural language of men, but against women it just aint right!
5) Perhaps, even though Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal in the power of the Spirit, his carnal nature preferred the aggressive contest with men over the contest with Jezebel. So what is the solution? 6) The solution is that God calls Christian men to lay down all aggression toward men or women period, and instead to pray. Had Elijah learned this perhaps he could have fearlessly won a mightier victory bringing both prophets of Baal and Jezebel to God's grace.
What about me? What about you?
