“You blind people! You have eyes, but you do not see!” Women, don’t you see? Our birthright has been stolen.

You remember the story of Jacob and his brother Esau. Jacob steals Esau’s birthright. The name “Jacob” means “supplanter, deceiver.” He took what was not his to take. Through opportunity and deception, he received the inheritance of goods and position.

That was the Old Testament. In the New Testament, there is a ‘newbirth’ right. Given by Jesus, where both men and women were set free. A new birth: a new right as sons and daughters of God. That was our birthright. We were free! Christ set us free from religosity slavery.

I like the story of freedom through Christ. Paul told the people of Galatia “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal 5:1).

We were all firstborn, and set to inherit the goods and positions. But something happened along the way.

The supplanters and deceivers (Jacobs) came and women’s birthright through Jesus Christ was stolen from them. Church men made us slaves again. Like Esau, we have been tricked and we have lost the precious birthright that came with Jesus. Yes, like Esau, we have sold our birthright for a bowl of pottage. We have received a bowl of beautiful words of flattery served with a generous helping of equal-but.

Years afterward, Jacob sought to make amends with his brother. God met Jacob on the way, and Jacob was engaged in a spiritual battle to account for what he had done. Jacob would not give up the struggle until he knew that he had received a blessing. This changed Jacob forever. He limped, but more than that, he had received forgiveness.

A birthright has been stolen. The birthright was a way of living, a position in society and family, something to be passed on to the next generation.

So it is today. And it has been stolen.

True freedom means a full birthright. To preach. To be a deacon. To serve the Lord’s Supper. To take up the offering. To pass out an attendance pad and worship bulletin (Lord, how petty we have made you!)

Remember that Esau met his brother Jacob with his own set of gifts and forgiveness. We have no malice and we are willing to meet our brothers half-way. 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. Again, I ask of you: Will you start the journey?

See Shirley Taylor in Baptizing Feminism Documentary Trailer.

Books by Shirley Taylor
The Biblical Marriage Myth: The Devil Comes Calling
The Power of a Book: The Street Evangelist
From Wife to Widow: What I know Now
Beyond the Grave: A Christian Dilemma
Raising the Hood: A Christian Look at Manhood and Womanhood
Women Equal – No Buts: Powered by the same Source
Dethroning Male Headship: 2nd Edition