“It appears that more girls have been killed in the last 50 years, precisely because they were girls, than men were killed in all the wars of the twentieth century. More girls are killed in this routine ‘gendercide’ in any one decade than people were slaughtered in all the genocides of the twentieth century.” -From “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” by Nicolas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
I don’t know about you, but the proto-euangelion (which I elaborated on in yesterday’s post–Genesis 3:14-15) is the first thing that pops into my mind when I read or see things like this. And I will put enmity between you and the woman…
Make no mistake, the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And he seems to be doing a particularly good job of it when it comes to women.
Jesus won the ultimate battle, crushing the serpent’s head through his death and resurrection. But that old dragon isn’t quite dead yet, and his death throes are wreaking havoc. He wants to take as many people down with him as possible.
But we–we are called to be part of God’s resistance movement, Christ’s body here on earth. We’re supposed to go out, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and mop this thing up.
The “powers of this world” are waging war against women. Are you part of Christ’s resistance movement? How are you going to stand and fight? Leave your ideas in the comments!
C.S. Lewis talks about the incarnation as God landing in enemy occupied territory. In a sense, that’s a helpful image as it highlights that we are (as you point out) in the domain of the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. It also points out that there is nowhere that Jesus can’t go, and that he is with us even here and now. Resistance to Satan and his plans is not futile; it’s fruitful.
As for your question of what I do about all this, the opportunities come up repeatedly at my job. I see the oppressed – women, children, men – constantly. Some have been oppressed, abused, victimized by others. Some suffer from self-inflicted oppression. All of them are experiencing the results of the Fall. My own part in addressing each of them is best carried out in light of Micah 6:8 and 1 Corinthians 10:31 – do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God, all to glorify him.
Cheers,
Tim
“Resistance to Satan and his plans is not futile; it’s fruitful.”
Amen, and viva la resistance!
Feel free to use without attribution!