Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing for secretary of defense last week was full of contentious moments as he was grilled over his positions and past. One of the things which sparked controversy for his appointment were statements he has made regarding women serving in the military. Specifically, how he has expressed concern of women serving in combat roles.
The fact that this generated such a vehement response by some lawmakers I believe reveals how far we have come as a nation and ultimately gets at the heart of most of our issues today. Rebellion against God's designed and established gender differences. It all really goes back to the feminist movement in the 70s which held to the perspective perhaps articulated best by a modification of Annie Oakley's song in the musical, "Annie Get Your Gun." "Anything a man can do, a woman can do, only better." This has led to women stepping into traditional male roles and even the infamous horrendous but rightly overturned Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade. One of the leading reasons for it was to ensure that a woman would have the same opportunity and freedom as men do. An unwanted pregnancy could hinder that. It lies at the heart of the transgender revolution and the push from some for men to participate and compete in women sports against other women. It can even be seen in the church with the acceptance and practice of women serving as pastors. We have gotten to the place now where the distinction between the sexes or genders have become so distorted and blurred that some cannot even judge or describe what a woman actually is! This is also is why women have even been allowed to serve in the military in the first place and in combat roles.
Interestingly enough, having women go out into combat really is a recent practice. It dates just back to the year 2016 after the ban against it was announced to be lifted in 2013. Before such, it would have been relatively unheard of in just about every culture. Try as you may, you will not find any warrior women in the Bible. It was the men who were always sent out into war. We see this in the census' of the young men to go into the military in the book of Numbers (1:2-15; 26:2-51). (This is actually how the book of Numbers got its name. The two "numbers" or census' counted both in the beginning and at the end of it.) We are told of King David's mighty MEN (2 Samuel 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 11:10-47). Not his mighty WOMEN. Now, some may say, "what about Deborah? Wasn't she a warrior serving as a judge?" Actually, she was not. In fact, when the time to go to battle came, she called on a man named Barak to fight and lead the troops (Judges 4:6-7). It was only because of his cowardice and refusal to go without her that led to her accompanying him for combat (vv. 8-9). But, even then, the rebuke for Barak was the humiliation of the victory being given to a woman. That woman being Jael (vv. 17-22).
This cannot be limited to a cultural thing at the time either. Keep in mind that the Jewish culture and the church both were shaped by the revelation of God's Word. The reason as to why women were not even considered to be sent out into the military was because God had made it clear His different but complimentary design for men and women. How men have been intended and called to lead, provide, and protect women with women to serve as their helpers under their authority in glorifying God in the work He has for them to do. We see this right with the very creation of the first man and woman (Genesis 2:4-25). Paul points out that the order of God creating man first before the woman indicates men being designed and called to lead (1 Timothy 2:13). The very purpose for the creation of women is even designated as to "serve as a helper for him" (Genesis 2:18). And when everything went down in the garden with man's fall into sin, it is telling that it is the man God confronts first and who He holds accountable for what had taken place (3:9). Adam had a responsibility to his wife to lead and protect her so it is only natural for Him to be knocking on Adam's door to inquire with the man of the house for those under his watch. Although as a result of the fall, a woman's desire will be to overtake the authority of her husband (and perhaps men in general), God states that this doesn't not change His intention for the man "to rule [or lead] over you" (v. 16). (The verb for "desire" used in this verse is the same one found in the next chapter where God warns Cain that sin desires to overtake him in his anger and jealousy that he must rule over (4:7). So, this is not a positive desire or indicating that the woman will be attracted to her husband. It should be taken the same way as a negative desire to overtake the husband and his rightful authority like the sin did for Cain.) In Deuteronomy 10:18, we are told that God steps in to take care of the fatherless and widow. "He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows love for the sojourner by giving him food and clothing." He needs to do so because the father or husband is gone leaving the child or woman without their provider and protector. While widows today are not necessarily as dependent upon their husbands to survive, the principal of the design of a man to serve as the primary provider and protector of the family clearly can be seen with these verses.
And there are great and lasting consequences with this. Children get less of mom or women choose to have less of children due to them stepping into the role of military combatants alongside the men who are the ones to risk their lives to love, serve, and protect the women and children at home. The same also could be said about the "career woman" who is more concerned with promotions at her job than the promotion of her children in their growth at home. How many children have been hurt by not having mom as present with them and devoted to them but having to spend much of their time in daycare or dealing with a distracted mom instead? The impact this has on our society is more far-reaching than it may first appear. But, then again, should be surprised as such? That is always the case whenever we go against God's good, wise, and perfect plan and design for anything.
My intention with this post has not been to demean any of our women who have or are bravely serving in the military, being willing to lay down their lives if necessary for our freedom. I greatly appreciate their courage and willingness. But at the same time, we should recognize that many of them may have a much higher calling and greater battles to fight than with the troops overseas or abroad. Their meaningful warfare takes place at home with the little warriors they are given to raise and prepare for future service in the Lord's army as He wills. Ultimately, that should not be neglected. As Pete Hegseth put it in his book, "Dads push us to take risks. Moms put the training wheels on our bikes. We need moms. But not in the military, especially in combat units." And perhaps the reason this has become so controversial today stems from us forsaking the good, wise, different, and complementary roles God has designed for men and women in general. It would be so good for us to get back to that for the betterment and welfare of our society and its families.
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