Women and the Destiny of Nations

“A woman who was related to the leaders in that society necessarily had far more influence than a man who occupied a more lowly station. When Bathsheba made a petition to David concerning her son Solomon, she was exercising far more influence than the average stablehand in the royal stables. When Esther interceded on behalf of her people, the Jews, she had far more influence than the average hot dog vendor on the streets of Susa . . . For modern feminists, this is ‘second-rate’ leadership, a mere riding on a husband’s coattails. But when the family is seen as an organic whole and egalitarian individualism is rejected, the influence of such women is known throughout society as being profound. Such influence can be used in a godly way, as Bathsheba did, or in a negative way, as Miriam once did, or in a godly response to ungodliness, as Abigail did, or in a evil way, as Lady Macbeth did, to take an example from fiction. But any way it goes, competent, wise women help to direct the destiny of nations” (Beyond Stateliest Marble, pp. 118-119).