Digest of Biblical Civil Law

The Biblical lament that “women rule over them” (Isa. 3:12) confirms the error of a woman holding civil office.  There are debates about the exact connotations of this text, but one thing is clear: Women ruling over men in the civil sphere is put in a very unfavorable light.  It is seen to be the result of sin and a part of God’s retributive justice, certainly not a blessing!  The most likely interpretation is that Israel had weak and incompetent leaders (cf. Isa. 3:4; Eccl. 10:16) who are being controlled by women.  Now if it is a sign of weakness for men who are civil rulers to be ruled by women, what is it but a sign of feebleness on the part of men to actually seek to have women rule over them? It is weakness and a sin because it is an abdication of their responsibility to be the leaders God has called them to be.

- William Einwechter, Should Christians Support a Woman for the Office of Civil Magistrate? (July 8, 2004), at http://www.visionforumministries.org/issues/ballot_box/should_christians_support_a_wo.aspx.