By Dr. Sherri L. Jackson
The stories of Mary, Joseph, Ruth and Boaz reveal the revolutionary ways God elevates women and challenges societal norms. From a womanist perspective, these narratives invite us to consider how God calls women to labor in spaces where their work is often undervalued or outright condemned. Even more striking is how God moves to silence those who might question or obstruct these divine assignments.
Mary: A Call Beyond Respectability
Mary, a young, unmarried woman, is chosen to bear the Savior of the world. Well, actually she was told that she would become the womb-slave to bring forth the Holy Child, but I want go down that road today. Even so, society’s rules of respectability would have shunned her, marking her as a transgressor of moral and social codes. Yet God’s call does not consider societal judgment; it operates on a higher plane of purpose. Mary’s response, “Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), reflects her radical obedience despite the risk of rejection.
When Joseph initially learns of Mary’s pregnancy, he plans to divorce her quietly, an act of mercy within the confines of patriarchal norms. But God intervenes, silencing Joseph’s doubts through a dream. The angel’s message redirects Joseph’s perspective, compelling him to stand alongside Mary in her divine work. In this moment, Joseph’s voice is subordinated to God’s purpose, underscoring that women’s divine assignments are not contingent on male approval or understanding.
Mary’s life assignment turned her world upside down. In a Middle Eastern society governed by patriarchy, her engagement to Joseph was as binding as marriage. Yet she had to stand in her truth—telling Joseph that she carried a child who was not his. By law, Joseph could have rejected her, shamed her, or even had her stoned to death. But God silenced Joseph’s intentions, leaving no room for him to harm Mary with his doubts, words, or societal power. This divine act reminds us that when God assigns a woman an unconventional calling, her obedience to that call is sacred, no matter how disruptive it may seem to others.
Ruth and Boaz: Redeeming Through Labor
Ruth’s story, often romanticized, is deeply rooted in survival and agency. As a Moabite widow, Ruth enters Bethlehem with Naomi, determined to provide for their household. Her labor in the fields of Boaz, though necessary, places her in a precarious position. Society might label her as audacious or improper for her boldness in gleaning and later approaching Boaz on the threshing floor.
However, we must pause to reconsider how Boaz’s role has been misinterpreted. Women are often told they need a Boaz to rescue or redeem them. But Ruth’s story is not about a woman being saved—it is about a woman who boldly works and makes strategic choices to fulfill God’s plan. If we are looking for a model of equality and partnership, we should look to Joseph, who does not rescue Mary but rather steps aside, aligns himself with God’s will, and supports the unconventional assignment placed on Mary’s life.
The Silencing of Patriarchal Resistance
What stands out in these stories is how God silences or redirects the voices of men who might resist women’s divine work. Joseph is silenced by a dream, his initial plans overturned by divine revelation. God’s intervention is not a dismissal of men but a reordering of their roles in God’s kin-dom. Instead of gatekeeping women’s callings, they are invited to support, protect, and honor the work God has entrusted to women. For Mary and Ruth, this partnership allows their work to flourish, but their obedience to God’s call stands independently of male endorsement.
A Womanist Reflection
In a world that continues to place barriers before women, particularly Black women, these stories resonate deeply. They remind us that God’s call often disrupts societal norms, compelling women to step into roles that may be misunderstood or vilified. Whether it is Mary bearing the Messiah or Ruth gleaning in the fields, their labor is sacred, even when society deems it scandalous.
For those called to such work today, take heart. Many women face rejection from husbands, pastors, or church communities when they answer God’s command to preach, teach, or lead. Their assignments are often met with harmful theology rooted in patriarchy, where men feel entitled to silence or discard women for stepping beyond societal expectations. Yet Joseph’s example calls men to a different path: one of humility, alignment with God’s purpose, and silent support.
God’s purpose is not deterred by human judgment. And for those in positions of power or influence, may Joseph’s example serve as a reminder: sometimes the most faithful act is to close your mouth, step aside, and honor the work God has entrusted to women.
Women do not need Boaz to rescue them—they need Josephs who can handle the weight of their unconventional assignments. Where are the Josephs today? Those who refuse to weaponize their power, who stand with women rather than against them, and who create space for women’s callings to flourish.
God’s kin-dom thrives when we embrace the truth that all labor, when ordained by God, is holy. Let us honor the Marys and Ruths among us, women who persist in their callings despite societal frowns, and let us be the Josephs who create space for their work to flourish.
Comments