I have been reading through the Bible since 1992 and God still surprises me with His Word.
Today, I am caught by the fact that this passage says women! Wait! Women are the proclaimers of the Word given by God. Hmmm.
I had to go do some research. Does it really say women in the original language?
First, we need to know that the author is King David. This is a Psalm talking about God leading the nation of Israel in victory.
Second, we must note that God is the One giving the word. The word here for word is good news or the word we get evangelism from.
Third, a battle has happened. The enemy has scattered and God has protected the vulnerable ones.
Fourth, it is the women who proclaimed this good news.
So, why are women the proclaimers?
Well, consider when the men went off to war, the women stayed home waiting for their return. Upon their arrival the women would set up the celebration and declare the good news. This might have included songs, dance, food, and praising God for what He had accomplished. They would go out celebrating and declaring to everyone about what God had done to bring back their men and that the enemy scattered.
The women would be the frontline in declaring the good news of victory.
With that said I still wanted to know if the Hebrew text said women. It did. In Hebrew this word was feminine plural and a feminine suffix. It was meant to be women. Some translations will use the word "those" but it was meant to be women.
"The LORD announces a word and the women who proclaimed it are a mighty throng."
Immediately, my mind goes to Matthew 28:1-10 and Luke 24:1-10. God chose women as His first messengers in spreading the goodness of Jesus.
I am a part of the mighty throng of women who proclaim the Good News of the victory we have in Jesus.
This verse so ministered to me today. I hope it encourages you or causes you to go encourage the women who are faithful around you.
It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be transformed.
Shalom, y'all!
