Christianity, Gender Equality, Job’s Wife, Insult, Feminism & Eve

By Nneka Okumazie

In the troubles of Job, the friends were worse to him, than the wife – with her popular remark. But her remark was probably normal in their home because Job offered sacrifices for the children, based on that remark.

The woman though was affected. The prime target, Job, had it worse.

It is unclear if what she said was ad-libbed or out of pain, or because she wanted to marry another or how she had spoken at some point in their past, but her husband responded that she spoke foolishly, as others.

It could have been possible for her to keep quiet but she didn’t. It was also possible for her to move out quietly at that point, but she did not.

It is also possible she may have observed that something had gone wrong with him and his death would prevent anything else remaining from loss, including her.

But, in her remark, and lack of reported rebuttal after her husband replied, there seemed to be some form of humility or deference to her husband.

He had success. He had wisdom. He was at the top. She had a lot of respect for him. But it seemed she was had a bit of fear left, for whatever else she did not do.

Even when the friends spoke, she largely stayed out of it. And the friends of Job and some of their judgement were harsher in his situation than the one time from the wife.

Though flawed also, she seemed a little different from Eve, wife of Adam, who should maybe have known to seek the decision of the husband before she made a great mistake.

The question and conversation may have made Adam remember the instruction – preventing them from trying.

Job’s wife could maybe have done whatever she wanted on behalf of Job, but she sought his leadership, towards what would have been a major mistake.

Eve – probably – forgot about respect, which the husband had for her, even if equality is kept aside.

Job’s wife was disrespectful, but at least remembered the head of the home.

Ultimately, [Proverbs 31:30, Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.]