Palin vs. The Bible

Alternatively, should I vote for a woman?

A brother-in-law recently stated, “I see three jurisdictions that God has ordained in this world: the family, the church, and civil government. All three must act in obedience to God's law to function correctly within themselves and in relationship to one another.” ^[1]

Unfortunately we live in a fallen world (corrupted by sin) ruled by imperfect leaders (corrupted by sin). Fortunately, we have a Sovereign God whose plans come to fruition as He dictates regardless, in spite of, or because of the actions of fallen men. Romans 13:1-5 tells us this if fact. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.”

In conservative Christian circles, there are (at least) two schools of thought.

One believes that it is the ordinance of God is that a woman’s place is in the home. She has no business out in the world, working. This is especially true concerning work in a position where she has authority over men. Feminists will rail at this thought, calling it ‘religious misogyny’. ^[2] Far from misogynistic, these individuals believe it is demeaning to women for them to be other than what God intended. They generally care very much about the personhood of the women in their households and related to them.

Additionally, they believe that the Bible clearly states the requirements that an elected official must have. Deuteronomy 1:13 Moses said, “Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.” Additional examples, Deut 16:18-20; 17:14-20; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Chron 19:6-7; Neh 7:2; Prov. 29:2

This school of thought is quick to point out that ALL of these passages refer specifically to men.

The other school of thought (sometimes called complimentarians) ^[3] believe it is acceptable for a woman to work outside the home. Additionally, to various degrees they can have authority over men. They point to Lydia, a business woman in Acts 16, ‘The Virtuous Wife’ of Proverbs 31: 10-31, and the Biblical example of Queen Esther.

There is a prelude to Sarah Palin’s arrival on the national scene. There have been (not a few - many) concerned, godly people praying constantly for this country and her leaders. They pray diligently, churches hold ‘Days of Prayer’, and we have students in the news gather around the flagpole to pray for this country and its leaders. This has been ongoing for many years.

When Sarah Palin arrived on the scene, complete with video of her addressing a church as Governor of Alaska, a cry of praise went up. There was also a groan.

For many, the thought that God had a raised an Esther for the United States was a welcome relief. Here is an apparently human but godly woman, thrust from nowhere into the national spotlight. Here she was a potential future leader of this country. Praise God.

There was also a groan from another camp of godly people. Oh, how this country has fallen. First, Sarah Palin is no Esther. Esther was the WIFE of the king. There is no evidence she had any authority over anything but the women’s house. Her use by God was restricted to her influencing the decisions of the King. If America is looking for an Esther, they should be looking to Michelle Obama or Cindy McCain. Additionally, they look to Isaiah 3 to further emphasize that it is a sign that a country has abandoned God when a woman rules.

Indeed, what seemed like a Godsend has become a controversy even within the church.

Personally, reading Isaiah 3, it sounds a lot like the USA today. Perhaps a woman should be in charge. However, Esther was not the Biblical example that came to mind.

Consider this:

“When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.” ^[4]

Consider this description. Has America, as a nation done evil in the sight of the Lord? Is there an ongoing sale of conservative America to liberal anti-Christians? Are both internal and external forces harshly oppressing America? Consider that the ‘War on Terror’ is against representatives of the largest religion on earth. Russia’s tense reemergence on the world scene is no little thing. Are there not COUNTRIES vowing the destruction of the USA?

God did something for Israel.

The Israelites doing evil in the sight of the Lord was nothing new.

God’s solution was new. It was unheard of. It was a precedent in the Bible, never repeated.

“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.” ^[5]

This is very interesting. It does not say, “Deborah was judging Israel at this time.”

Remember the beginning of the article, there are three jurisdictions in this world: the family, the church, and civil government.

The significance of the sentence provides that Deborah was a Wife (family), Prophetess (church) and Judge (civil law). God provided a woman to act in obedience to God’s law to function in the highest position in the land of Israel.

There is no doubt she was unique in every aspect.

Sarah Palin certainly has a unique background. Her meteoric rise to the national spotlight eclipses even Barack Obama’s rise. Is Sarah Palin a new Deborah for a country in dire circumstances? Only God knows the answer to that.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

A thing known is that if Sarah Palin ascends to the second highest position in the land, knowledge of Deborah certainly encourages.

One is certainly encouraged to vote responsibly. Using the criteria from the Bible [Deut 1:13; Deut 16:18-20; 17:14-20; 2 Sam 23:3; 2 Chron 19:6-7; Neh 7:2; Prov. 29:2 et.al.]

Some have said they cannot cast a vote because, of the candidates, none meets the Biblical criteria. That is for you to consider prayerfully.

[1] Certainly, this is the ideal, but it will not happen until Christ is on His Throne in Jerusalem ruling over all the earth.

[2] Misogyny is the hatred of women.

[3] Complimentarians are a tough crowd. There are varying degrees of complimentarians, and bitter discourse between them. The major discord is between a woman’s place in secular society and a woman’s place in the church. One group claims that a woman may have authority over men outside the home and outside the church. One group claims that a woman may have authority over men outside the home (hence the ordination of women as Pastors). A third group claims that a woman may have authority over a man - in any situation. There are bitter rivalries here and church denominations have split over these arguments.

[4] Judges 4:1-3

[5] Judges 4:4