[Many thanks to Larry Bunch for catching me up on the notes I missed for this lesson. -MRW]

  • Last lesson
    • Role of women in 1st century Jewish society
      • Start with status in Old Testament times
      • Finish next week
  • Question from last week:
    • Did Josephus mention demon possession?
    • Answer:
      • Yes
      • Antiquities chapters 2, 5, 8, 45-48
      • Wars of the Jews chapter 7.6.3
      • Bizarre references to a root “described” by Solomon
      • “Eyewitness” account
      • No mention with regard to Jesus or disciples
  • Status of women in Old Testament times
    • Women’s main purpose
      • Promulgate God’s blessing on Abraham
        • Genesis 22:15-19
        • Psalms 105:24
      • Continuing the family line – Deuteronomy 25:5-10
      • Shame of being barren – I Samuel 1:1-11
    • Limitations of women
      • Scriptural (Old Testament) limitations few
      • Innovative limitations were multitudinous
  • Range of women’s activities in Old Testament times
    • Shared in the teaching of their children – Proverbs 1:8
    • Performed chores outside home
      • Genesis 29:9-10
      • Exodus 2:16
    • Prophetess: Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12; Judges 4; 2 Kings 22:14-20
    • Judge over Israel: Judges 4
    • Shadow combatant: Judges 4, 9
  • Women’s Old Testament activities continued …
    • Commerce, real estate, etc. – Proverbs 31
    • Manual labor – Exodus 35:25; Ruth 2:7; I Samuel 8:13
    • Musicians in the tabernacle/temple – Psalms 68:25
    • Lead women in song of praise – Exodus 15:20-21
  • How women were considered in Old Testament times
    • Included in the covenant – Deuteronomy 29:9-12
    • Sources of wisdom – 2 Kings 22:14-20
    • Wisdom personified as feminine – Proverbs 7:4, 8
    • Having great prudence – I Samuel 25:23-42
    • Wife is a very good find – Proverbs 19:14; 18:22
    • Life of a women on par with life of a man – Exodus 21:22-29
  • Coming weeks
    • Comparing women in Old Testament times to 1st century
    • Social strata of Jerusalem
    • Religious sects
    • Temple
    • Priesthood