As I read and study through the Hebrew Bible, now and then something just catches my attention and I have to look into it further.
This happened in Exodus 38:8
In the KJV it reads:
"And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking-glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
A rather technical verse as we go through the details of the tent of meeting. But, wait. What was that about the women assembled at the door? I don't remember ever reading about women assembling at the door. Who are they? Did they go to the door to check how they looked in their mirror, causing Bezaleel to confiscate all their mirrors? I think not.
I had to check this out.
My first transliteration read something like this:
"And he made the laver of brass and the base of brass from the mirrors of the women that served at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation."
So, these women had some kind of job at the door. What was it?
I checked the verse again, this time word for word from Hebrew.
"And he made laver brass base brass from mirrors serve (fight), that (which who) army an opening (unfolding) tent community."
This is why it is called a transliteration and not a translation. We have to pick the correct word from a list of possibilities and fill in other words so that it will make sense in English. But, wait -- which word is here for 'women'?
None.
As I looked again I saw the feminine Hebrew ending on the words and realized that this is where the translators picked up that this verse was talking about women even though the word "women" is not in the verse.
For me this speaks volumes, but I will try to keep it short.
Look at the words used to describe the women; fight, serve, army.
Look where they are located; an opening, (door), unfolding of the tent of meeting.
Women, here is our place. We stand at the door, not looking at ourselves, but an army at war fighting for the souls of our children and our community.
Be mighty in prayer and open the door for the salvation of souls.
We may be hidden, not seen in prayer, but mighty in prayer. The war for our families and friends is fought while on our knees in prayer.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
1 Peter 5:8
Fight, women, fight!
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