Why are scriptures most often addressed to men?

Question

Gramps,

Why are scriptures most often addressed to men?

Winona

Answer

Dear Winona,

Perhaps because we, men, need to hear it repeated more often?  I’m joking.

Actually, I think it is simply a language issue.  Remember that most of our scriptures are translated from other languages.  For example in Spanish, “Hermanos” could mean “Brothers” or “Brothers and Sisters”, it is actually redundant to say, “Hermanos y hermanas” (brothers and sisters).

As you know, I do a lot of writing myself, and I can tell you from my experience that it is quite tedious to write plural versions of everything he/she, a man or a woman, him or her, etc.  Some writers deal with this by alternating pronouns.  For example, in one paragraph a writer will use “he” pronouns and then in the next paragraph the writer will use “she” pronouns.  I find this distracting to read and I think it would be cumbersome to write that way.  So when the Lord uses the term “men” I believe it is a way to say men and women.

That said, I do think there is value in studying the women of the scriptures. Not just the woman and their wonderful stories of faith and courage, (there are many), but also studying the way the Lord speaks to them.

Remember Winona, the important thing is that you study the scriptures.  The scriptures are so important that Satan works very hard to keep us from them.  He may make us think we are too busy, or the scriptures are too hard.  Or he might appeal to our pride (and we are ALL prideful) and whisper to our heart things like “why does it always address men?” to confuse you and separate you from the word of God.  Here is my advice.  Pray and ask God to help you be humble (this is a great daily practice, when done with intent) and also pray that you will hear the messages that are there in the scriptures for YOU, regardless of the pronouns that are used.  The purpose of the scriptures is to bring all Father’s children to Christ, men and women, don’t be distracted from that by the language, Winona.

Gramps