Isaiah 3:12 is written in the context of a prophesy against Jerusalem and Judah (Is. 3:1). The women and children pictured in the verse are pictures of those who ruled over the people that would conquer Judah – Isaiah is not in any sense making a broad statement that women rulers are a sign of judgment on a nation. Such an interpretation has nothing to do with the context of this prophesy. MacArthur’s note in his Study Bible mentions that the women and children are the rulers of those who would oppress Judah – the Babylonians. Isaiah is not saying that women and children rule in Judah or that their rulership is a sign of judgment.

With all due respect, although you correctly point out the difference between church leadership and other forms of leadership in relation to the role of women, you fall off point in mentioning Joe Biden.

Sarah Palin is claiming to be a born again Christian. I don’t think that any of us would take it seriously if Joe Biden claimed this. However, as Palin does claim Christ and has a 3 month old special needs child, we are called to point out what is clearly a sin issue as regards her neglect of her biblical duties as a wife and mother. If Joe Biden stopped supporting his children, he would be in sin. But it really wouldn’t matter as he is clearly not a Christian and we can’t expect him to act like one.

Additionally, I am not sure how you ascertain that Palin’s home is in order. It seems clear evidence that it is not, in the fact that she is not raising her youngest child.

Let’s say that Joe X, a solid, conservative born again believer were chosen as the VP pick and we came to find out that he is not working to support his family financially. Should we vote for him without reservation or comment?

When the Bible, specifically the New Testament, speak of women in leadership it is addressing leadership in the church, not as head of state.

Knox’s work is an interesting one, but for whatever reason there seems to be no problem with women in leadership if they toe the line on certain issues (i.e. Protestantism as the state religion).

C,

When you express concern about the Sarah Palin being able to take care of her children do you have the same concern about someone like Joe Biden whose wife died shortly after after he became a Senator? Instead of stepping down and taking a job that would allow him to care for his children he continued on as a Senator.

Please don’t misunderstand me, my wife is a stay at home mom and I am thankful for that. But frankly, if she wants to go back to teaching when our daughter goes to school (if we don’t homeschool), I do not have a problem.

Being in government puts an additional pressure on the family regardless of who is actually in office (the husband or the wife). With the offices of VP and President the spouse still has expectations placed on them, which is why every four years a big deal is made out of the candidates spouse. I see nothing wrong with voting for a ticket that includes Sarah Palin because her home is largely in order, I know where she stands on the issues, and from everything I have heard she is a believer. The issue of her daughter is irrelevant to me, I know several families where there are stay at home moms and somebody still ends up pregnant that shouldn’t be.

I was wondering the same thing myself. So many in the Christian community are excited about Sarah Palin being on the Republican ticket. But, I found it so disturbing watching the Republican National convention and seeing Palin on the stage talking about this big job and responsibility that they have ahead of them (while her husband sat holding their 3 month old baby in the background). I think her primary responsibility/and biblical role is a wife, mother and keeper of her home. How can she think she can fulfill that role while taking on the job of VP of the United States? I wonder what Christians should do in this situation? My conscience tells me NOT to vote a woman into office (who is obviously willing to neglect her biblical role). I wonder where Christians are willing to draw the line and vote for what is right? By the way, I am also a stay at home mom and I find it hard enough to try to do what I am called to. I have no idea how Palin thinks she can do it (babysitter, nanny)?? What is more important here, changing the government or taking care of your family and fulfilling your role?

For us, though the government is “subject” to us according to the constitution, their purpose is still the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For my part, I’d say that we ought to still obey them in the same way, with the above exceptions.

In so many other areas, submitting to the government is contrary to scripture. In which case, as was observed above, we ought to obey God rather than men. And that no matter the cost. That is quite easy for us to say, those of us who have never faced such costs. Though regardless of who says it, it is nonetheless true. Thanks for the post.