TSIYON NEWS

From Eliyahu

 

This edition of my newsletter is written for women, while being relevant for both women and men. Since I am a man, some women might feel that disqualifies me from speaking to the female experience. I get that, and I respect the reasons some may have that feeling. However, I am a Bible teacher, and as such it is my duty to address the whole Word of God, and that includes His Word to women. Indeed, women of faith were among the closest friends of Messiah when He was on the Earth, and the angel called His mother "highly favored." There are many Bible verses that praise and uphold praiseworthy women like them. Here are some verses:

 Of the excellent woman the Scriptures say  "her value is far above rubies. ..Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."  Proverbs 31:10, 25

There are also a number of verses that instruct men regarding women. Here are some of them:

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Messiah also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it" Ephesians 5:25

 

"Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord  also does the assembly" Ephesians 5:28-29

 

"You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered." 1 Peter 3:7

What woman would find fault with being loved, honored and cherished as these verses urge husbands to do? (I admit, us guys, even the best of us, don't always get this right in every situation. However, I believe that when men try for this ideal they will achieve it far more often then they would if they weren't trying - so guys, let's keep growing in love.) Indeed, these are not the controversial verses of Scripture for women these days. Here are some of the verses modern feminism takes issue with:

YHWH Elohim said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

 

"But I would have you know that the head of every man is Messiah, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Messiah is Elohim" 1 Corinthians 11:3

 

"Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." Colossians 3:18

Verses like these set out the Bible teaching that men and women were each created for distinct roles which are a matter of nature, and that happiness and fulfillment are best achieved when men and women, respectively, live within that Divine Order established in creation. This was the mind-set and family goal of most people in America in the 1950s.

 

Just this morning I read a news article in The Washington Post comparing the data on several different metrics for each decade from 1930 onward. The 30s and 40s were bleak, due to the Great Depression followed by WWII. However, in the 1950s after overcoming the previous decades of hardship, Americans were more able to pursue their normal lives. Since moms and dads already understood where they fit in at home and in society, they were in a great position to make the most of life together. No wonder the 1950s were the best years ever!

Those Biblical roles of men and women fueled the happy families of the 50s. In the 60s feminism, free love, and the progressive agenda took hold, and the happiness of the 50s became a thing of the past. God's order works. Everything else doesn't.  

 

Despite the obvious success of the natural Biblical roles of men and women in the 50s, feminism sees those Bible roles as stereotypes to be broken and outlawed through radical social change. For example, one article I read recently says this:

"Achieving gender equality involves addressing and rectifying imbalances in areas such as the gender wage gap, political representation, education, and health care. It's also tied to women's rights and often requires policy changes to eliminate harmful practices and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality."

There are things here that just make sense. Equal pay for equal work is simply fair and is not against the Bible. Equal access to things like education and health care is reasonable and fair. The part that is the problem is  "policy changes to eliminate harmful practices and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality." Harmful according to who?

 

Here are some of the "stereotypes" they want to "eliminate":  

Personality Traits: Women are often expected to be nurturing and men to be ambitious.

 

Domestic Roles: The belief that women should be the primary caregivers and homemakers, while men should be the breadwinners.

Leadership: Men are frequently viewed as natural leaders, whereas women may be perceived as less competent in leadership roles.

Physical Abilities: Men are often stereotyped as physically stronger, which can influence opportunities in sports and physically demanding jobs.  https://www.verywellhealth.com/gender-stereotypes-5323771

Do we really want to eliminate nurturing mothers? ..or female caregivers? Do we really have to pretend that men get pregnant and have babies? Do we really want to eliminate men being breadwinners? ..or men behaving like leaders? Many women today don't want to have the burden of being the primary family breadwinner and leader, yet are forced to because their husband has abdicated those roles. Don't we need more men to step up to be breadwinners and leaders, rather than less?

 

Is it just a "stereotype" that men are generally physically stronger than women? If so, why has the U.S. Army approved reduced physical fitness standards for women?  This decision was made following a study that found men were more able to  pass the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) compared to women. Is that difference nature or societal stereotypes? Does that mean men and women are not equal, or that they were simply designed differently for different roles?

 

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not condemning anyone because they have to play the hand the system has dealt them. For example, you may be a mom who would love to be home with your kids, but can't because of economic realities in your life. We all have to eat, right?  I am simply saying the world has pretty much gone crazy over this gender equality thing, and in the end we will all have to deal with the fact that the Scriptures are right. Nature will always win out in the end. Whenever we try to buck the way God created us to function will be problematic. Here's the way to go:

"Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of Elohim!" Romans 12:2

Yah's way is the best way, but it is usually not the easy way. The reason it is not easy is because the devil and all of his little helpers are doing all they can to undermine and subvert Yah's way. By turning believers to the world's way he can create chaos in our lives. We are then so busy putting out those fires we will have no time or energy left to be any threat to the devil or his works. When families walk in Holy Order the family becomes a strong fortress against the devil and every sort of evil. This is so vitally important in these critical times.

 

When it is possible, having mom in the home to constantly steer the lives of those little people who came out of her own body is such a blessing for all concerned. It is the most important work any woman can do! The devil knows that, which is why he would tell you that spending your labors making some corporation richer is more important than devoting that precious time to your family. What could be more fulfilling than lovingly shepherding your own children through their formative years, into solid disciples of our Lord? Women like that are surely blessed and a blessing to all of us.

 

This brings me to tonight's live stream, especially for the ladies. Abigail will be hosting an all-woman panel discussion that all of us, women and men, will find stimulating and helpful. That's tonight, May 29, 2024, at Tsiyon.Net at 8 PM, Central. I'm looking forward to it and I hope you are too!

 

In His Name,

 

Eliyahu

Tsiyon.Org

 

The Creator's intention - how He ordered the world.