Moment of Meditation: Assume Authority (1 Timothy 2:12)

I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man.
(1 Timothy 2:12)

Assume Authority

Women aren't to assume a man's authority. A better word would be usurp. To better understand Paul's statement, we need to look at Judges 4-5. The only female judge listed in the Bible's history was Deborah. She was called to that role by God, but she determined to defer much of her judgments to the mighty men of the armies of Israel.

She commanded Barak, the leader of Israel's army, to go and attack Sisera. The LORD was going to give Israel's enemies into their hand. But Barak refused to go unless Deborah went. Deborah wanted to refuse his request, but she turned it on its head. The army would rout their enemies, but Barak would get no credit for their defeat: "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman" (Judges 4:9). Sisera died at the hands of a woman named Jael, who drove a tent peg through his skull (Judges 4:21). Barak received no credit because he gave up his authority. He handed it over because he didn't want it anymore.

Deborah didn't use her calling to usurp Barak's authority. She was faithful in her calling to judge Israel and let the LORD deliver them from their enemies. May we all seek to follow her example. Amen.