Submission - what does the Bible say?

"Don't marry a nagger."  This is a quote that I saw on a facebook status this week.  To be fair, as I understand it (from scrolling through numerous comments), the context of this statement was a married preacher offering advice to young men entering the ministry, advising them to choose a mate who doesn't complain about the time, energy, etc. that her husband spends in ministry related activities.  This status was commented on by several individuals, who each brought up some different and valid points.  I wasn't going to blog about this till I read these verses in my Quiet Time Scripture:

 

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."  1 Timothy 2:11-15

 

And so began this study – Subjection, What does the Bible really say?

 

First of all, when Paul uses this word, "subjection" in his letter to Timothy, unlike my facebook friend (sorry, Joe), he gives the context.  Context is VERY important.  Imagine being shown a photograph of someone, which showed only the person's elbow.  It would be rather difficult to recognize someone from that!  The good news is that God's Word doesn't have any "elbow pictures" – He gives us the background, the context we need to understand His direction.  The context is Genesis 3, the fall of man.  The Bible tells that God never changes, so we can assume the role He created for Eve is valid today.  To truly understand this, we must revisit her story.  Also, bear in mind that Paul gave two reasons that women are to be submissive – 1) We were not formed first, and 2) It was Eve was deceived in that whole forbidden fruit affair.

 

"For Adam was first formed, then Eve."

God had a purpose in creating Adam first – he wasn't the helpmeet.  Eve was created second, because she was the helper, the rescuer of the human race – without her, there would not have procreation.  There are no children without mothers.  God created her to be a mother for the whole world and to be a help to her husband.  No other being on the planet before Eve was comparable to Adam.  If you wonder what the Bible thinks about equality among the sexes – here it is.  The "meet" in help meet means that Eve was the same or like Adam.  They were equals.  Sure, they were compliments, and they had different roles, but they WERE equals. 

 

"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression."

Eve listened to the serpent.  Adam listened to his wife.  Their punishments reflected their sins.  Adam, who had been by God the authority over his family, had failed.  He listened to his wife instead of obeying God's Word.  This problem is still prevalent today.  Ladies, rest assured that though your man may not always listen, and he's probably not picking up on the signals you're sending him – he is more influenced by you, then you will ever know.  Bearing that in mind - your place is not to direct his actions or dominate his decisions.  Your place is to help him.  He needs to obey God's Word first and foremost!  Be aware, girls, that like Adam, it's easy for any husband who loves his wife, to try and please her at the expense of obeying God. 

 

Don't listen to the snake!  Anytime there is ANYTHING that creeps into your life that contradicts the Word of God – get away from it!!!  Don't listen to it, it's trying to trick you, just as it did Eve.   And once Satan gets a foot hold in the wife's life – it's a LOT easier to make her husband fall.  The first woman ever created, took authority over her husband.  She used her influence on him.  I doubt she ordered him around, or yelled, or even nagged.  I bet she wheedled him into it.  She convinced him.  You see, Satan knew that if he approached Adam, the first man would not have trusted him.  But he would trust his wife.  Being submissive doesn't mean folding your hands in your lap, eyes downcast, mouth closed, opinions ignored – it means you help.  You help your man do what the Bible says, and NEVER use your influence in his life to lead him away from the Bible.  You don't try to dominate his actions by convincing him, by sweet talking him, by any means.  You do what needs to be done to help him obey God's Word. 

 

"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

The punishment was subjection, but the salvation… was in childbearing.  Why is that our salvation?  Well look at the context.
"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."  Genesis 3:15

It was Mary, not Joseph, who was used of God to bring the Messiah into the world.  It was through a woman – that Jesus came. 

 

So we see, for the world's first couple, when Eve stepped out of her role as helper (though an equal) to her husband, and used her influence to dominate his actions, sin destroyed the world.  But when she fulfilled her role (to be a mother) the first Messianic promise began. 

 

My conclusion is this:  the role God has given wives is to help their husbands.  We are such different creatures from men, that there are a great many things that only a wife can do to help her husband serve God.  Women are not to dominate over men, not by their words, or influence, or even by using their "wiles", to get their way.  We are equals, and our job is to help them as they serve God.  This means that Yes, God likes opinionated women!  He created them that way (much like Ruth and Deborah)!  He likes women who are bold and courageous (like Jael or the midwives in Egypt).  He made us to be different from men, something that we should celebrate!

 

And though I know it was taken out of context, I have to address this statement, "Don't marry a nagger." 

Wouldn't it be better to say, Ladies – don't marry a lazy man. (Sorry, it had to be said.)

 

That's my take on this subject – what's yours?

 

A Story for the Imperfect

We human beings sure are proud, and we seem to measure our value to God by the good qualities we can offer or good things we can do. The fairy tale below is a reminder that God doesn't need our skills or resources. He knows what we are made of, He created us! When it comes to His service, the vessels He wants aren't perfect - they're earthen.

The Broken Teacup By Mary E. Bobo

Once upon a time, there was, in a tiny village in a far away land, a worker of porcelain. He was more than a potter, or fire worker. He was an artist of the highest skill. He worked not for his livelihood, but because he loved it so very, very much. The porcelain maker took such great care and had such an amazing talent, that nowhere else in the world could finer work be found than his. Kings and queens would travel from far off lands to visit his shop and purchase his fine products. He sold dolls and jewelry, and tea sets, which were truly the finest in the world. Even the works themselves seemed to know how incredibly beautiful they were, and sometimes, at night, after the shop was closed and all the people had left, you could almost hear their pride…

Inside the wooden cupboard, the lovely dolls were always first to admire one another’s beauty. Each one was different, but shaped and painted with the greatest of care. Their features were smooth and yet still so very lifelike. The dolls would compliment each other, telling themselves how lucky a little girl, perhaps a princess or maybe even a queen, would be to take them home. Then there were painted plates – far too beautiful for anyone to ever serve food upon. They would admire one another’s landscapes and scenes: the way the porcelain maker had created shades of light and detailed each lovely portrait. They wondered how long it would be, before they too, would be sold. It would not be very long, everyone agreed. But by far, the most beautiful and coveted pieces were the tea sets. The tea sets were sold every day, and to the most important and highest class of clientele. The porcelain maker took the greatest care of all with these, each pot and teacup, each sugar bowl and saucer was exquisite. All except one. In the darkest corner of the cabinet, where no one could ever see it – there was a broken teacup. Beautiful, seemingly, until it turned and a long crack could be seen. No one paid any attention to this teacup – it would never be sold. Who could use a broken teacup? He certainly could not hold tea – it would flow away from him just as quickly as it filled him up. The other pieces of the tea set ignored him, and he pushed himself into the farthest corner of the cupboard where he hoped to never be seen.

One such evening, as the works of porcelain were admiring each other, a breathtakingly beautiful jewelry box excitedly began to share some news that she had overheard while the porcelain maker was painting her. The master artist was working on a new project, something that he had never made before, that would be the most beautiful of all his works. He would use a few very special objects from the shop to complete his masterpiece, which would be revealed publicly the next week. All of the pieces wondered what the project could be and which lucky item of his already created works he would choose to help finish it. That week, unlike any other, none of the pieces wished to be sold – not to a peasant, a peddler, or even a king. No one wanted to lose the chance to be part of the porcelain maker’s masterpiece.

Finally, the time came that the porcelain maker would choose the piece he needed. Of course, none were surprised that he went to the cupboard where the lovely and incomparably beautiful tea sets resided. He took out each piece and examined it with the utmost care. He put each one back in its place, until that is, he reached into the farthest corner of the cupboard where the broken tea cup was hiding. The teacup didn’t want to see the porcelain maker’s unhappy face in regarding the large crack along his side, which he ashamedly admitted rendered him ugly and useless. But he could not escape the porcelain maker’s careful eyes. The master took the broken teacup and examined him very carefully. He smiled. “Perfect!” He proclaimed, carefully using a cloth to wipe away the dust that had collected inside the broken tea cup. “I have been looking for you everywhere!” The porcelain maker told the tea cup. He left the cupboard, and all the rest of the objects were astonished.

The teacup couldn’t imagine how the porcelain maker could possibly use him – cracked as he was, and he wondered why his creator hadn’t just thrown him away. The porcelain maker picked up the teacup and explained as he worked that he knew very well what he was doing. He also told his little friend that it was very silly for teacups to tell porcelain makers how to use them. The teacup was then quiet, until becoming very curious he was inclined to ask what the masterpiece would be when finished. The porcelain maker was only too happy to explain – “I am creating a fountain – a lovely fountain, where the water is clear and clean and cool, and never stops flowing.” The tea cup was confused. But how could he be of use in such a thing? The porcelain maker explained some more – “You will catch the water.” The teacup was very upset. He knew he could not hold any kind of liquid. Surely when the porcelain maker realized this, he would choose a different teacup. But the porcelain maker reminded the beloved object that it’s very silly for the creation to tell the Creator how he ought to be used. “As a simple teacup,” the master explained, “You have no function but to hold the tea. As part of a fountain, you do something much more important: you must fill up with the water, but it must overflow out of you as well. The crack on your side will only make it easier for the water to flow more bountifully from you.” He smiled as he continued. “The best way to be filled is to overflow, you know.”

The next day, the porcelain maker revealed his work. His fountain was spoken of all over, and kings and queens travelled from the farthest corners of the earth to gaze on its beauty. Many of them offered the porcelain maker a great price to buy the fountain and take it away to their kingdoms, but he refused them all. “Of the water that flows out of this little teacup, you may all partake freely, but the teacup is mine – and I cannot be parted from it.” He lovingly declared.

Today, all over the world, there might not be talking teacups or admiring porcelain dolls, chattering jewelry boxes, or arrogant tea sets and painted plates. But there are Christian hearts, who much like a broken teacup, cannot believe that their Master can use them in their flawed state. Just as the porcelain maker told his teacup – it’s very silly for the creation to tell the Creator how he ought to be used. God made us, and He knows our flaws. He doesn’t ask us to hold His Holy Spirit, but to allow Him to overflow in our hearts. It’s true that we are just earthern vessels, weak and many times broken. But remember, He knows just how to use us, and the more broken that we are – the more bountifully His Holy Spirit can overflow.

The End

The Wall

The following is one of my fables. I got the idea from a message I heard from an old minister who spoke on the barriers to Hell.

The Wall By Mary Elizabeth Bobo

A long time ago in a land far away, there lived two little boys, called Jacob and David. They were neighbors and the best of friends. The boys lived in a small village that had only two roads leading in or out of it. One road was wide and smooth, but it led to a very wicked city. The other road was narrow and difficult to pass, but it led to a city that was very good. From time to time, the boys would speak about their futures, and the taller of the two, Jacob, would often say, “When I grow up, surely I will follow the wide, and smooth, and easy way.” His little friend, David, would reply, “It may be narrow and difficult, but the straight and righteous way is for me!” As the years passed, David began to worry about Jacob’s future. You see, there were traveling men who occasionally came to town, and they always said the same thing: one day the good King of all kingdoms would visit the wicked city that lay at the end of the wide, smooth way. He would surely be unhappy with all the worldliness and selfishness that He should find. That day, He would destroy the land and all who lived there. They also spoke of the King’s Son. They said that it was He Who had forged the straight and narrow way which led to the righteous city. If any would simply turn from the wicked path and trust the one that the King’s Son had made, they would reach His lovely city. Little David was terrified to think that his friend might take the path that led to destruction. He begged Jacob to change his mind, but the taller boy refused. So when David could not prevail on his friend to listen, he decided to try something else.

The next day David went to the bricklayer and bought one brick. The man asked him what he intended to do with just one. David explained that his friend had decided to go to the dangerous city which was sure to be destroyed, and he wanted to stop him. The bricklayer shook his head. One brick will not stop someone determined on leaving, but the little boy insisted.

The years passed while David and Jacob grew and grew. Finally, Jacob, now a tall young man, said to his sad neighbor that the day had come for him to begin his journey to the wicked city. David followed him all the way to the wide path crying and pleading with Jacob to change his mind. The taller ignored him, continuing till he came to the hill where the path began. On the left side of the path was a mountain cliff and on the right was a large river running rapidly. Jacob wasn’t worried, because the path in between was wide and smooth. But as he came closer he saw a large brick wall. It stretched from the mountain to the river and was thirty feet high. Shocked he turned and looked at little David who was smiling. “Every day for the last twenty years, I have laid just one brick on this wall.” He explained. “Should you really desire to be destroyed in that city of wickedness, I cannot stop you, but you’ll have to climb over my wall.”

Jacob threw himself against the wall trying to climb, but it was very well built without any holes for his hands and feet to grip. And though Jacob was a very tall man, he was no match for the 30 foot obstacle that lay solidly in his way. Still, he continued trying, again and again until he was completely exhausted. Finally, he sat down on the ground and leaned his back against the wall to rest. He looked at his little friend who was still smiling. Jacob knew that in order to get to the city now, he would have to go all the way back to the village and get a ladder or rope or something else to help him get over this enormous wall. He wondered something. “David,” he asked, “Why have you spent your time and effort every day on this wall for the last twenty years when you know very well, that if I want to, I can climb over it?” David smiled and replied, “Because – I love you.” Jacob thought about this a moment and lifted himself up from sitting against the strong wall. “Very well, little brother,” he proclaimed, for truly he loved David as a brother, just as much as David loved him, “Let’s go to your righteous city.” And off they went. They did not turn to the left hand or to the right. They continued the two of them, along the straight and narrow path out of the village until they reached the city. What they found there was more than even the ever hopeful David could’ve dreamed.

It was the most beautiful city that had ever been built. The gates themselves seemed to be made of jewels, but jewels that were more precious and pure than any eye had ever seen. The streets were not made of stone or dirt, but they were made of gold which was so pure, you could see right through it. There were no shadows anywhere because the light of the city did not come from the sun, which sets and rises. It came from the goodness of the Great King Who never changes. There could not be shadows, because there was not any place in the beautiful city untouched by the King’s goodness. It was much more beautiful than the travelers had described, because a place as good and wonderful, full of truth, kindness, and beauty, as this city cannot be accurately expressed with only words. They must be experienced. Also, the city had a very special magic about it, for anyone who entered its gates could never grow tired or old, get sick or be hurt, or ever die. In fact, it was impossible to be unhappy at all. David and Jacob entered the city eagerly, so happy they had come. They soon forgot all the troubles they had ever had in their old village. In fact, they forgot many things, except one very important detail. Jacob would tell others as they entered the city that he too, had once lived in another land –he didn’t remember the name of the village, or what the streets were made of, or how the landscape looked, but one thing he remembered with perfect clarity. On the path that should have led him to destruction there was a beautiful, beautiful wall.

Many Christians have family and friends, or loved ones who do not know Jesus Christ. Even though we have presented the Gospel, pleaded with them, and cried, still they have not turned away from the destructive path that leads to hell. Remember that our prayers though they seem little to us, just as one brick may seem small, are powerful in the hands of our Almighty God. Our lost loved ones may seem determined to take a path that leads to death, but if they insist on going that way, build a beautiful wall of prayer.

The End

His Greatest Work

"The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. "
Psalm 145:8

This is David's psalm of praise. I love the way he talks about the LORD. He refers to Him in so many ways in this psalm -as royalty, as eternal, as all-powerful, and magnificent. In so many ways I am reminded of all the great things that the Creator of the universe has done.

But truly the greatest act He has performed, the greatest task He has completed, the greatest miracle... is me. His mercy to a wretched, low-down, filthy, rotten, no-good sinner, or as I mentioned before, a me.

It was through Jesus's sacrifice on the cross that I was made the righteousness of God! (2 Cor 5:21)
What greater thing could He do, than to make a sinner holy?

His love and mercy to me are His most powerful displays.
His patience towards us deserves all of my praise.
So today I'm going to beg Him to help me live every day remembering what He has done for me, to be thankful, and to praise Him!

How about you?