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People have asked me \u201cwhat does women\u2019s equality look like for you?\u201d Since churches and denominations have their own set of restrictions against women in ministry, each person\u2019s picture would look differently. We have seen how the Southern Baptist Convention has responded to the threat of women\u2019s equality.<\/p>\n
As promised in Part 1, we are now going back to the story of the stolen birthright.<\/strong><\/p>\n This is what I envision women\u2019s equality to look like, so it is actually the end result. Let\u2019s go back and begin with the similarity of the Old Testament story of Jacob, aided by their mother, who stole the birthright from Esau. The story begins in Genesis 25.<\/p>\n Jacob, through deception and opportunity, stole the birthright of his twin brother Esau. Esau was guilty of dismissing the importance of his birthright. This analogy has Jacob representing Christian men who pushed women aside even though men and women were both firstborn in the New Creation, and set to inherit the goods and possessions of the Father. Esau represents Christian women who now realize that they gave up their most valuable inheritance.<\/p>\n Birthright \u2013 are you ready to unleash your harness<\/strong><\/p>\n Esau said to his father, \u201cDo you really have only one blessing, Father? Bless me too, my father!\u201d And Esau wept loudly.<\/em><\/p>\n His father Isaac responded and said to him, \u201cNow, you will make a home far away from the olive groves of the earth, far away from the showers of the sky above. You will live by your sword; you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will tear away his harness from your neck.\u201d<\/strong><\/em> Genesis 27:38:40<\/p>\n The story in the Bible moves from Esau to Jacob. It leaves us wondering what happened in Esau\u2019s life? At what point did he \u201cgrow restless\u201d and how did he tear away the harness from his neck?<\/p>\n We do not know, but we do know that Esau eventually found his strength and became mature in those twenty years that Jacob was gone. It is that strength and maturity that women have found also. We have begun building up our own herds and gathering our army, not to do harm, but as a witness of whom we have become.<\/p>\n Esau gathered his gifts and his army of 400 men and went to meet his brother. He wanted reconciliation between him and his twin brother.<\/p>\n However, Jacob heard Esau was coming and he was afraid his brother was coming to claim what was rightfully his. Jacob and his father-in-law didn\u2019t trust each other, each taking advantage of the other. So, Jacob, too, had a large herd of animals. He set out to meet Esau and brought his herd of animals to give as a gift to his brother (to appease him).<\/p>\n Esau said, \u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this entire group of animals that I met?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Jacob said, \u201cTo ask for my master\u2019s kindness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Esau said, \u201cI already have plenty, my brother. Keep what\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Jacob said, \u201cNo, please, do me the kindness of accepting my gift. Seeing your face is like seeing God\u2019s face, since you\u2019ve accepted me so warmly. Take this present that I\u2019ve brought because God has been generous to me, and I have everything I need.\u201d So Jacob persuaded him, and he took it.<\/em><\/p>\n Esau said, \u201cLet\u2019s break camp and set out, and I\u2019ll go with you.\u201d Genesis 33:8-12 Common English Bible (CEB)<\/em><\/p>\n Esau who had allowed his birthright to be stolen, met his brother with his own set of gifts and forgiveness. Women, all of whom have had their Newbirth-right stolen, can do the same.<\/p>\n They were twin brothers \u2013 children of the same mother and father. Did it really matter which one came out of the womb first? Only in their culture did it matter. It did not matter to God. Just like men and women. We are twins, born of the same Father\/Mother \u2013 giver of life. That birthright is reinforced in the New Creation, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.<\/p>\n We have grown restless. This is our wealth. These are our gifts.<\/p>\n If you, too, are restless, and are ready to tear away the harness of male headship from your neck, speak up!<\/strong> Now is the time!<\/p>\n We have no malice and we are willing to meet our brothers halfway. We, too, have gifts to bring. With your family and my family together again, we will be able to do many things for the Lord. Will you start the journey?<\/p>\n See Shirley Taylor in\u00a0Baptizing Feminism Documentary Trailer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n