(Disappeared then restored from database on 7-18-17)
Gen 3:14: And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
Gen 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Here we see that satan has enmity towards the woman and her seed. It is because of her seed that satan hates her so. The verse here is in reference to Eve. However, even in figurative language, satan, and his worldly minions greatly distaste the woman.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days.
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child].
Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Now the verses from Revelation are figurative of Israel, Jesus and the church. Certainly satan had a particular reason to have enmity for Mary mother of Jesus and showed it through Herod's actions. Satan probably never realized that these actions on Herod's part would help fulfill prophecy. God did know and used satan's intentions to promote His will.
Here is a verse that says that God uses us for His will and because of that we should't boast of our accomplishments or condemn others failures and most especially think that we did it of our own strength.
Isa 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? [or] shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake [itself] against them that lift it up, [or] as if the staff should lift up [itself, as if it were] no wood.
Even satan is succeptible to the will of God. But satan, ever in his rebellious attitude, will do what he can to thwart the plan of God. When he failed with Mary what was his next move?
Luk 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he (Jesus) did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Here again satan tried to exalt his will over God's by tempting Jesus. When that did not work what ploy did satan use next?
Mar 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
Now there are many other instances where the devil played a more direct role such as when he entered Judas. But it ultimately led <br />to the crucifixion. To illustrate God's prominence Jesus knew and foretold these events. Both the betrayal and the crucifixion.
When satan realized that he had played into God's hand his anger was great as mentioned in Revelation 12:13. Why?
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.
Ever since then satan's attack on the Church have been constant. It started as soon as the church did. We can see division cropping up in the first century church through the scriptures. And the enemy has been particularly cruel to women. Consider the Inquisition of the RCC. That led to the mass slaughter of women accused of witchcraft. Women were the targets MUCH more often than men.
Consider the glass ceiling that exists in the workplace. Consider the fact that women did not recieve equal rights in the U.S. (officially) until the seventies. Or even the right to vote until the twenties.
Women are more often the target of the most heinous crimes in all the world. Domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, battary, and in many countries slavery. Even in civilized nations the idea that women are property is perpetuated in the media and society. Terms like "my woman" are thrown around without any consideration of the implication of that statement. It could easily be a term of endearment from husband to wife but more often than not this isn't the case. Women are victimized, de-valued, and through it all, in general, they complain very little compared to the issues they have to deal with. How many women stay silent on rape, abuse, or sexual harassment?
And that is true even in "civilized" nations. But if you want to see a more graphic example of satan's enmity for women. Look no further than Islam.
http://www.aina.org/news/20090811125148.htm<br />
http://pajamasmedia.com/phyllischesler/2009/08/13/an-honor-killing-averted-muslim-convert-to-christianity-flees-for-her-life/http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/010-women-worth-less.htmThere are many, many more examples. But don't think satan is working only in the middle-east. Remember that fundamentalist mormon ranch a little while back?
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/world/women-kids-pulled-from-sex-ranch/story-e6frev00-1111116002863Satan will divide if he can. Such stories like this hurt the Church. Many do not look to the Bible, as they should, to judge what <br />is Christian and what is not. They look to people who call themselves Christians. That is why we are given specific instructions on conduct.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.
I hope this shed's some light on how the enemy persecutes women. Anytime you see such persecution you can bet that the enemy has a hand in it.
God bless
