Equality…or Equity? Part 4

What some men think duct tape is good for.

Not A Silent Partner

About 5 or 6 years ago, I overheard a conversation between our former pastor and one of the women of that little congregation.  She was giving him updates on a venture in Mexico she and her husband were working on.  The couple, we’ll call them Bob and Gabby, were relatively new to our gathering.  However, they had a desire to go to Mexico for ministry.  This was the update that Gabby was filling the pastor in on.

Gabby was from Mexico and had a heart for her home country and her husband, although from the States, also had a heart for Mexico.  They were looking at properties down there that could accommodate the ministry, as well as Bob’s business…he was an electrician.  They had a couple of options and Gabby was letting the pastor know of their progress and the decisions that had to be made.  But, then I heard something that did not sit right with me.

Now, I was not really eavesdropping…they were in the middle of a common room where we all gathered before the “service”.  Nonetheless, I could hear bits and pieces, merely because of my proximity.  I then heard her talk about deciding on what property and such, when the pastor interrupted her and told her, “Let Bob decide.  He is your husband.  He must make the decision.”  When she began to try to explain, he interrupted her again, “He must decide.”

Gabby knew Mexico.  She knew the land and the people.  She was also a strong, intelligent, capable woman.  She looked a little perplexed when the pastor insisted that all the decisions must be made by her husband.  I am sure her husband trusted her in the dealings and they discussed these things together – it was not as if she was going gang-busters on a venture and leaving her husband in the dark.  He was in full agreement with her, and doing what was within his own capabilities of what needed to be done in order to achieve their goal.  Yet, the pastor insisted that she was to fully yield to her husband and acquiesce to only what he decides.

Well, not long after that conversation, perhaps in a matter of a few weeks, she left her husband.  I can’t help but think that this male-centric manner of thinking pushed her to that decision.  Did she leave him because she did not want to be married to the boss? I am not fully certain, but the timing seems very coincidental, to me.

Is that what God created woman for?  Was she meant to be a silent side-kick, always ready to yield to the decisions or demands of men?  Is the wife merely a “suitable help-meet”?  Let me answer each of these questions…

No.

Now, let’s see what that “suitable help-meet” thing really is.

In Ransomed Heart (ransomedheart.com/daily-reading/ezer-kenegdo) an excerpt from Wild at Heart is shared, explaining what we translate as “suitable help-meet”, comes from the Hebrew, ezer kenegdo.   In my last blog, Mike Willingham showed some details concerning creation and God in Genesis 1 and how the Hebrew has more details than what we read in English.  Now, here is another detail, concerning God’s creation of woman and who/what He intended her to be.

Ezer Kenegdo

Eve is given to Adam as his ezer kenegdo—or as many translations have it, his “help meet” or “helper.” Doesn’t sound like much, does it? It makes me think of Hamburger Helper. But Robert Alter says this is “a notoriously difficult word to translate.” It means something far more powerful than just “helper”; it means “lifesaver.” The phrase is only used elsewhere of God, when you need him to come through for you desperately. “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you” (Deut. 33:26). Eve is a life giver; she is Adam’s ally. It is to both of them that the charter for adventure is given. It will take both of them to sustain life. And they will both need to fight together.

Eve is deceived . . . and rather easily, as my friend Jan Meyers points out. In The Allure of Hope, Jan says, “Eve was convinced that God was withholding something from her.” Not even the extravagance of Eden could convince her that God’s heart is good. “When Eve was [deceived], the artistry of being a woman took a fateful dive into the barren places of control and loneliness.” Now every daughter of Eve wants to “control her surroundings, her relationships, her God.” No longer is she vulnerable; now she will be grasping. No longer does she want simply to share in the adventure; now she wants to control it. And as for her beauty, she either hides it in fear and anger, or she uses it to secure her place in the world. “In our fear that no one will speak on our behalf or protect us or fight for us, we start to recreate both ourselves and our role in the story. We manipulate our surroundings so we don’t feel so defenseless.” Fallen Eve either becomes rigid or clingy. Put simply, Eve is no longer simply inviting. She is either hiding in busyness or demanding that Adam come through for her; usually, an odd combination of both.  - excerpt from Wild At Heart

As I learn more of what scripture has to really say about these things, I am more and more convinced that men began to gear interpretations, words and rules in their favor, in order to rule and reign over women.  Even the language used in teachings, makes Eve out to be the one who messed it all up and caused the fall of mankind.  Well, even in English, we can see that Eve was not accountable…Adam was.

In the next post, we will examine that idea.  With the help, once again, of my friend Mike, we will see how Adam was the accountable one and how the supposed curses really weren’t curses, at all.  Future posts will show the women God used for His purposes, even leading above men.  Hold tight…this is just starting to get interesting.

 

 

 

Equality…or Equity? Part 3

God’s design for woman is shown right at the onset of creation.  Once we see the definitions and explanations of what went on in The Garden of Eden, a clearer picture should emerge as to how God views men, women and our lives together in His Kingdom.

In this installment, my friend, Mike Willingham, spells out some of the details concerning creation and circumstances surrounding the Garden.  When we see evidence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – the three Persons Who are God – we begin to see how mankind was created in the image of God, in light of when He said, “Let us create man in Our image”.  These points are important, as they begin to draw a picture within the Hebrew language which also shows God’s design for man and woman.

The Garden: The Empirical Evidence
The Solid Ground of Equity fulfilling Equality
Patterns.
The greatest thing missed in reading and understanding the word is that translations do keep the integrity of the word, but, in doing so, the translation eliminates the patterns, or delimits them in obscurity.  English and Greek, though adequate, still miss the point to bring out the patterns. You miss that, you miss the point. The misconception of man and woman concerning this loss of equity and equality is found in the beginning. It started in the Garden. The Garden was planted on solid ground. Jesus spoke of firm foundations and soils, and grounds, didn’t He? So, it makes sense to build everything using firm ground!

This solid ground or rather empirical evidence is there, but the English language has effectively hidden it. We are going to the Hebrew and walk through the Garden, the Creation if you will, and rediscover the patterns and reveal the Creation in a way you never seen.

So in this article I will be following a pattern. I will be taking words, revealing them in the original Hebrew, show their letters, give you a short lesson on Hebrew letters, and cross reference translations and some commentaries from other noted scholars.

The Beginning: The Pattern is created and made
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Let me shorten this sentence a little so you begin to see God and His Wisdom. “In the beginning God made!” That is five words. Five. In the Hebrew language numbers are very important. They have great significance and we would be amiss if we ignore it. Five in Hebrew is the number of Grace! Isn’t that interesting? The creative energy of God is tied to Grace in these five words. That is pattern number 1.
Next pattern: The name of God in the Creation. This is very important. Because all the way until Genesis 2:3 God is referred as “Elohim”, the plurality of God. Then after the seventh day was blessed and God rested, another name of God is added. Lets move on as well as define two other important words in this passage:
1:1 In the beginning Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים created the heaven and the earth.
There are three important words or phrases here. In the beginning, God (Elohim), and Created.
Lets look at the Hebrew using Strongs Exhaustive Concordance on the matter.
God (Strong’s #430)The Hebrew word אלהים (elohiym) is the plural form of אלוה (elo’ah) literally meaning “strength” and “power” and is usually translated as God or god. The ים is the masculine plural suffix ( which is Hebrew two letters, Yud and Mem or “Hand” of “God’s concealed knowledge”) and when added to this word becomes אלהים (elohiym) which is usually translated as gods or judges as they are strong and powerful ones. But it is also commonly used for God as a name because he is “the” strong and powerful one. Lets examine this name of God in Hebrew shall we?

God is referred to as Elohim all the way to 2:3.  Then, at 2:4,  He is suddenly referred to as Yeweh Elohim.  So lets look at this name of God “Yeweh”.
יְהֹוָה Yeweh is formed of four letters. Four is the number of creation and completion. It is formed from the letters from right to left. {י Yud or Hand} ה Hai (Grace) וְ Vav (Nail) and ה Hai (Grace) So you run the word pictures together you have “God’s Grace Nails Grace”! Already we see Christ in the Creation.

Created: בּרא bara
Please note that these three Hebrew letters used for the word “created” are the first three letters of Genesis 1:1 and that Bara is also the same word that is used for “Son”. So the Son was in the Beginning!
So why is all of this base information important? Since this is the beginning of Creation, we need to see the base pattern of God and who He is. Seeing the plurality of God and the authority of God reminds us of the Trinity was not just in the beginning, but Is The Beginning, as well as the fact the Elohim is the pre-incarnate Christ! How do I know this? Remember the Word John 1:3 “All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made that was made”. So all of Creation, the Garden, and Man fell under the direct hand of Elohim who ( “Speak or Spoke” אָמַר ‘amar) and (Created: בּרא bara) and (Make or Made עָשָׂה `asah)
Summary of these base words!
Elohim, Amar, Bara, Asah. (God spoke, created, and made) Isn’t that four words, which in Hebrew is the number of Completeness or Creation? You see Hebrew is distinct and you have to be careful, because when you use the right words in the text you automatically get the context.  -Michael Willingham

Now, the point to Mike’s article here, is to show the detailed tapestry within the Hebrew language, with Creation as the backdrop.  Later, we will see the unfolding of the definitions of man, woman and the relationship they are originally created for.  When we see the original design, we will also begin to see the shortcomings in the teachings, dogmas, traditions and “rules” of the Church.

Equality…or Equity? Part Two

Women’s suffrage never should have happened.
The Women’s Liberation Movement never should have happened.
Feminism should never have become synonymous with a power struggle.
Women should never have fought to vote, for equal chances at jobs and pay or fought their way up the corporate ladder.

Well, let me restate…they never should have had to.  Had men not considered women as subservient, weak, incapable and/or less-than, women would never have had to fight for equality or strain to gain equitable rankings in business, government, society or the Church.  For that matter, the Church is largely responsible for how women have been kept under men’s totalitarian authority.  They have done this because of poor scripture translation, salted with pride and greed.

There is one phrase/idea that was not in the mind of God from the onset of creation…the roles of men and women.  In my discussions with my friend, Mike Willingham, he clearly pointed out that it is a matter of gifting/abilities, not roles – which I fully agree with.  We are each born with certain gifts and abilities…some are stronger in men and others are stronger in women.  This does not denote roles as much as each functioning according to their individual gifts/talents/abilities as well as those particular to each gender, in such a way as is complimentary, uplifting and/or encouraging toward one another as well as others.

The role men want is to be in charge.  However, the fact is, men have a charge.  We are not put in charge of women, but are given a charge to protect, promote and love our wives, sacrificially, as Christ loves the Church.  Women, in general, are not second class, second in command, “weaker” vessels (that’s another one to be covered) or less capable simply because they are women.  They are not there just to be barefoot and pregnant, to be left a mess to organize, chief cook, bottle washer and laundry cleaner or to be our silent partners, whether in marriage, the workplace or church.  Women do not have to be relegated only to mind the Nursery, Sunday School and women’s ministries, but can also teach the congregation.  Men have put women in a place that is largely there to ensure that men will not lose their self-imposed places of alleged authority.

I am ashamed of how so many men have treated women.  It all comes under pride, which is the seed which sprouts the chest-pounding, rooster-strutting attitude of men, as they exert some sense of machismo, proving themselves as “real men” by letting their women know who “wears the pants”.  This is enforced by legalism, taught by generations of pastors and church leaders, using grossly misinterpreted scripture, bringing certain “laws” of women’s roles and men’s roles among other rules and roles of “clergy vs. laity”.

My friend, Mike, shows God’s idea for man and woman from the beginning, by defining the Hebrew words as well as the context of scripture.  I will share portions of an article he wrote, which shows how the male-centric pattern of the Church has been in error.  Mike has spent time studying and seeking the Lord’s revelation on these matters.  He and I have had many discussions about gender equity, seeking God’s viewpoint and looking for the correct definitions and context of scripture.

Here is the introduction to what my friend Mike is writing in his article, similarly titled as this blog:

Women
Equity or Equality: Why are we getting it wrong?

      There is a great inequity that is happening around us. It cries out in the streets, homes, and especially the Church as the word “equality”. This word has a tone of anger at times, desperation at others.  This word emerged into our language and culture because of inequity. Equality is simply a demand for equity. Women, is the focus of this article. Fundamentally, historically and statistically, women have been the target of all sorts of abuses by the hands of men. Women have been relegated as subservient, down trodden, brow beaten, misused, abused and considered nothing more than a baby machine, servant and the person who is around only to fulfill a man’s needs.

The fact that I am writing this makes my eyes roll back in my head. I am simply ashamed of men and how all this miasma of putrid waste has proliferated for so long. I am ashamed and I am a man! So how did this all come about? I think in order to understand we need to go to the beginning. Since I am focusing mainly on women and the church, I am going to take you on a journey through the Word. The Word interprets the Word. And since the bible has been misconstrued, taken out of context and used to fulfill man’s agenda’s, then I am going to take the Word in context, throw some Hebrew and Greek, and I am going to share stories from the Bible that show as the voice of God that He did not mean for all of this at all. I will take you through the life of Christ as well and show you how most of His ministry was specially targeted to the restoration of women.

       I am going to make sure I show you in all of the Grace of God.  I myself need it all the more because given half the chance I would simply write an article so scathing and dripping with vitriol that any man reading this will have no eyebrows left.  But, I am not going to do that because I am not a social activist. I am not out to make sweeping changes in The Church. I can’t do that! Why, you ask? Because, after all is said and done, and whoever reads this – I speak to men at this point – you will probably scoff. You will hold on to your traditions and beliefs like a snapping turtle on a finger.  And, you are going to continue to treat your wives, your fellow sisters in Christ with the same total disregard and low caste status as before. Let me know how that works out for you.  No, scratch that…I don’t want to know.  I already do.  Good luck with you.  I will be sorry to hear about your failed marriages, your failed relationships, the ruin of your witness and the miserable condition of your life. I know this is inevitable because I have seen it time and time again, repeating itself until I have become sick to my stomach. I cannot change you because your machismo and self-righteousness demands you to stand up and be a man!
Good luck with that!  So I am not going to apologize if I step on your toes. Wear steel-toed boots, listen with an open heart and open mind and maybe, just maybe, this information, or revelation might save your relationship. This information, if you are a pastor, might even save your church and make it stronger than before. It would be wonderful that some of you men out there reading this, may get the insight you need to save your marriage.
 
      I hope all women who read this will be strengthened, edified, enlightened and encouraged. I am revealing to all a great truth that has been held back through either ignorance or, unfortunately, by choice.  That great truth is that God sees women as being of great value. He invested Himself in you and His favor is upon you. Why? Because you are His daughter!  So sit back and enjoy the ride!

    As I mentioned before, I am going to go to the Word and go all the way back to the beginning to build a case that is immutable and indelible. You may want to not believe it. Your choice. I am out to set women free. If you don’t man. Walk away please! So lets begin.

The Beginning
In Genesis 1:1 it reads “In the beginning God created (made) the heavens and the earth.” Let me shorten this sentence a little so you begin to see God and His Wisdom. “In the beginning God made!” That is five words. Five. In the Hebrew language numbers are very important. They have great significance and we would be amiss if we ignore it. Five in Hebrew is the number of Grace!  Isn’t that interesting?  The creative energy of God is tied to Grace in these five words. The whole source of our being, our environment, our sustenance and our very existence is wrapped up in those five words. Notice I put in the synonym for create in brackets. We will get to that later. Lets get back to the creation.

God created. He created man in His own Image.

Let’s hold that thought until the next installment.

Mike and I have been discussing these issues for weeks, now.  We have each talked about what God has placed on our hearts, shared what we see in scripture and are seeking God’s truth in the matter.  Oh, this series will have a third, perhaps a fourth part – maybe a fifth – we’ll see.  What we want to do is convey the truth of scripture concerning the place of women in our lives as husbands, Christians, citizens, business people…whatever your stance in this life.  We also want to convey encouraging words toward women, as many have been placed in a “role”, rather than treated as fellow disciples and heirs.

Yes, there will be a Part 3.

Equality…or Equity? Part One

Church, we gotta get this right.

As a young boy in the 1960′s and 1970′s, I remember hearing about equal rights and women’s liberation.  Women wanted to work jobs in fields dominated by men and they wanted equal pay for equal work, among other rights.  They wanted to manage, lead corporations and make other choices without permission or approval of men.  Many women still seek these rights today, although much has changed in 40-plus years.

I completely agree with equality in such senses.  If you have the skill, you should have the job.  If you do the job, you should get the pay.  No sweat.  I don’t believe in preference based upon race or gender, but I do believe in equality.  However, I would like to see more equity in certain areas.

Part of the definition of equity, according to Merriam-Webster, is freedom from bias or favoritism.  So, when I speak of equity here, I speak of doing away with the “old boy’s club” attitude.

The Differences Are Equitable, Together

Men and women…are different.  Alright, this is no big revelation.  The differences, however, have been abused and mishandled (mostly) by men.  Men of the Church need to realize how women have been short-changed.

It is the position in the Church that men are “in charge”.  Fueled by pride and greed, many scriptures have been misinterpreted and abused.  It has become longstanding and infectious, as we see in government and some cultures where men are “in charge”, holding the first and final word on nearly all matters.  The Church is largely “male-centric”, as men have taken charge, justifying their alleged authority with misinterpreted, out of context scriptures.

In Part Two, I will share information from a good friend who has studied, having examined these things from a Biblical standpoint.  In a nutshell, the Bible does not support the male-centric system we seem to embrace, but it can be proven that women have a greater role than what is seen in the Church.

We need equity in leadership.  It is wrong for there to be a panel of all men running the show (whatever that “show” may be) any more than we need a panel of all women.  What we do need is the influence of both.  This would be in the Church, business or government.  Especially the Church, as far as I can see.  It is not equality we need, but equity.  We need the balanced gifts and views of men and women.

Equality would say that if there is a panel of twelve people, there should be six men and six women.  Equity is more about justice and balance, doing away with bias and preference.  So, let’s try a scenario…a panel of leaders is discussing the budget of the company.  Each of the men are discussing the bottom line, cost savings, profit margins and such.  But, a woman asks about the employees and if they will remain employed or be able to get their annual raises.  The men now take another look at the numbers and consider the woman’s point of view.  The men approach it from a knowledge standpoint while the women balance it from a grace standpoint.

What Man and Woman Are Created To Be

Women are born with grace as an attribute.  Here is some discussion I had with my friend, whose information I will share in Part Two of this topic.  He explained the Hebrew for man and woman and the letters that make up each of those words:

“ISH (Man) is Aleph Yud Shin
ISHA (Woman) is Aleph Shin Hai.  

Both have Aleph which means sacrifice, man has Yud meaning hand, and Shin means the revelation of God in this life. Woman has Aleph, then Shin and last Hai which means Grace.”

There will be more detail and better description in the next post, but here we see that Man is made up of sacrifice, hand and revelation of God.  Woman is made up of sacrifice, revelation of  God and grace.  We share Aleph and Shin, or sacrifice and revelation.  But, only Woman has the grace.  Man has the hand which follows the knowledge of God’s purposes.

Are Men the Boss?

Here is another excerpt, as we discussed the idea of husbands being the head of the wives…

“Head is used in context with the same sacrificial Head that is described as Christ. The headship is merely Chief of Security and Comfort and Welfare…not BOSS.”

Men of the Church, we have a responsibility toward women and not the authority over women.  Men do not hold the first and last word simply because we are men.  Man and woman together as the image of God…the revelation of God…can reveal God’s will, word and reveal His image.  This is not because they are equal, but because together there is equity.  Together, they show knowledge of God’s purposes and grace.  The two must work together or there will be inequity.

Two different hammers have equal value, they are not equal in their use and function.  A framing hammer is for driving large nails into framing lumber, while a ball peen hammer is used for striking or shaping metal.  People, likewise, are each different in talent, gifting, attributes, abilities, etc.  Men and women have an equitable fit which occurs in the recognition and honoring of each other’s talents, gifts, attributes and abilities.

Men lord over one another and especially over women.  In the Church, this really has to stop.  It is well past the time that we stop interpreting scriptures to justify our own desires, benefits and advantages.  We need to stop controlling our little universes, excluding the able leadership, input, wisdom or teaching of women.  We need to recognize, exalt and embrace one another’s differences, seeing how they compliment in order to make a more complete picture.

Part Two should be coming some time next week.  Personally, I look forward to it.

 

 

 

Mourning

I dedicate this stream of thought to my friends who have lost loved ones.  I think of my friends, Carl, Rich, Kris, Ann, Nicole, Dara, Kyle, as well as others whose loved ones have passed on.  Let’s face it…loss hurts.  We love deeply and we are also used to certain presences in our lives.  When that presence is gone, there is a void.

Some folks think mourning stops after the funeral.  Well, maybe the actual mourning does pass.  If we are of reasonable balance, the time of grieving does pass, for some quicker or slower than for others.  However, we will always miss our loved ones.  Some people may take months…or even years…to readjust because they miss their loved one so much.  As one good friend put it, “My father died over four years ago and I am now beginning to get my ‘sparkle’ back.”

It is easy to judge someone for taking so long to regain themselves.  But, this woman loved her father so much, that his loss was great for her.  Yet, I have seen other folks, who, while missing their loved one, seem to bounce back into life quite quickly.  As far as I am concerned, neither one of these is wrong.

In Ecclesiastes, we are reminded that there is a time to mourn.  Not a  strict time limit, but a time period.  Some take time to mourn for days, some weeks. But, there is no time limit on missing someone.  One lady I went to church with over 30 years ago wore black every Sunday.  She mourned the loss of her daughter – who passed away 20 years before.  That is a deeper problem.  But, missing someone…that is different.

A scent, a scene, an event, an issue, a time of day, a TV program, a look, a sound, or just a random thought can remind us of someone we love.  If that person has passed away, we may think of how much we miss them.  This can happen even many years after they pass.

I was at a wedding last fall of a young friend who is the daughter of good friends of ours.  Her dad, my good friend, passed away just less than a year before the wedding.  As the bride and her new husband danced, I was standing by her mother, who broke down in tears, saying, “I know how much Dan would have loved this.”  Even writing this, my eyes have welled up a little. Dan was my friend and I miss him, too.

We are made for relationships.  We are made with all the emotions we have.  If you you lost your Mom, Dad, wife, husband, sibling, friend, child…even a beloved pet (oh, yes, they do wrap themselves around our hearts, too), you will miss them and this is normal.  Yes!  Normal!  On this earth, our lives are partly like a tapestry, made up of the different relationships we have.  When one of those closer relationships is gone, there is a void in that tapestry.  The tapestry is still there, but the void is unmistakable.

I am sad for those who miss people so much.  It makes me a little sad when I think of the hurt, loneliness and how they miss someone.  I can be a bit empathetic because I know how I miss some people.  I think of other friends, like George and Art.  I know that there are times I miss my grandmother.  Yes, I can empathize.  I may not have lost my ‘sparkle’, as my long time friend did (not really sure I ever had a ‘sparkle’, really), but I have felt the sadness and emptiness associated with loss.

If you have had a loss and it is taking time to get back in the swing of things, some people may not understand.  Some may even be upset with you.  Yet, there will be others who will be patient and may even walk through it with you.  Stick with those last folks when you’re having a hard time.  Remember, too, that God has all the patience of eternity and He is not upset with you and certainly not disappointed in you.  He has watched billions of people over the millenia, who have experienced grief and sadness.  He knows they have been sad.  During His time on Earth, He experienced various levels of grief and sadness.  He knows.  He understands.  He is just fine with you.

Some things take time.  Some things take more time for some people than it does for others.  We need to be patient with those for whom grief takes a little more time.  Now, there needs to be some progress as the process goes on.  But, pain runs deeper in some folks than others.  The deeper it runs, it takes more time to come to the surface and heal.  It must take the time necessary and not be rushed. With time, patience and love…healing will happen.

Even then, they will miss their loved one.  And, that is just fine.

I’m OK, You Should Be Too

Recently, I remembered the title of the best selling self-help book, I’m OK, You’re OK (Thomas A. Harris, M.D.).  I pondered that title, comparing the title to the idea of how people assume the condition of another based on their perception of their own condition.  Trust me, I have no designs on discussing transactional analysis.  What I will attempt to do here is discuss how we see others, how we feel others should be or at what level of change they should be.

I will start by giving you an example – a man I once knew – a pastor – openly told me that he had no patience for people who had problems from their past.  I explained to him how many people still deal with issues from their past and how they often need to walk through the process of dealing with old issues in order to move on currently.  I stated this, citing my own experiences on how some of my past issues did not surface until many years after the fact.  I also noted that I had noticed this in others, whose current issues were likely caused by things that may have happened in their youth.  He point-blank told me that if I wanted to deal with these things in people, that it was fine with him as he had no patience for people’s past problems.

Another example was a job interview I had many years ago.  Upon reviewing my application, the woman interviewing me noticed my previous income.  Now, it was certainly no path to wealth, but our rent was paid, we had 2 small boys and could put a few dollars in savings.  But, she had a higher standard apparently.  As she read the income from my previous job, she asked, “How could you live on that amount per week?”

We all can assume that the position we hold in life is the position others should hold, too. That pastor felt that people should simply be over their past.  That interviewer felt that a minimum amount of money should be earned in order to make a “proper” living.  Any one of us can think that this person should know how to behave better, that person should be over their grief by now or so-and-so should not be so sensitive…and the list could go on.  The truth is, you and I and other individuals…we are all different.

Well, duh, John.  Of course we’re all different.  You like green, I like blue.  I’m tall and you are…at an acceptable height.  But that don’t give them kids an excuse to have rings in their noses and bein’ different ain’t no excuse for having the same old troubles.  If I can behave like a human being and get on with my life, so can they!

So glad you could drop in, again.  Apparently you don’t get over being judgmental.

There seems to be a prevailing attitude that says another must be where we are or where we think they should be.  Some people think that a person should spend a short time grieving and then snap right out of it and get on with life.  Other people assume that everyone should earn the kind of wages that afford the picket fence, two cars in the driveway living.  Some Christians feel that other Christians should live within the confines of certain behavior and should be mature enough not to use terms like, “Good luck!”, or should dress or talk a certain way.

Now, I think there is plenty of room for maturity and people should be at some stage of development over an appropriate amount of time.  I think that wearing all black for mourning someone who died twenty years ago is more about getting pity attention than it is about truly grieving.  Of course, people who have been walking with the Lord for several years, having been to Bible Study and been around other Christians, should begin to exhibit behavior that shows some degree of change from their old ways.  Yet, at the same time, we need to be sensitive to the idea that we all grow and change and process issues at different speeds and different ways.

Perhaps, it comes down to the idea that we should not impose our expectations upon another person.  We should be watchful for a line that separates desire and demand.  While I may really want the best for my friend – that is, desire him to progress and do well – he may not be in a position in life in which I could, or should, demand him to improve, move on or change.  I may do well to pass on to him the same virtues that the Lord has for all of us, as we are reminded in Romans 2…His love, patience and tolerance.

Let’s face it.  No matter how mature or progressive any one of us thinks we may be, someone can pick out any number of things which would reveal some level of immaturity or lack of progression in us.  We all have different abilities, emotions, wills, desires…just the way we were created to be.

So, I will try to change my thinking to, “I am not all okay and neither are you.  But, I am okay with that.”  Then, maybe we can encourage one another toward maturity, allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire us and change our hearts – in His timing, by the way.  Again, maybe we can be more patient while a friend is going through some issues, not telling her (demanding?) that our way is the way to work it out, but offer suggestions and patiently wait – and pray – while she works it out.

Yeah, I can do better.  Otherwise, I would be perfectly okay.

Salt and Light

^{Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV) – 13} “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Salt

I have often wondered why Jesus said we are the “salt of the earth”.  I have heard explanations and descriptions over the years, but never been completely satisfied with these teachings.  So, I thought I’d try to do my own study and see where this goes.  First, let me share some bits from articles I looked up.

Wikipedia:

Salt, also known as rock salt (halite), is a crystalline mineral that is composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl), a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of ionic salts. It is absolutely essential for animal life, but can be harmful to animals and plants in excess. Salt is one of the oldest, most ubiquitous food seasonings and salting is an important method of food preservation. The taste of salt (saltiness) is one of the basic human tastes.

Salinstitute.org:

“One component of salt, sodium (Na), is involved in muscle contraction including heartbeat, nerve impulses, and the digestion of body-building protein. Sodium is easily absorbed and is active in the absorption of other nutrients in the small intestine. Sodium is the major extracellular electrolyte responsible for regulating water balance, pH, and osmotic pressure. It is important in nerve conduction. Because of sodium’s importance to your body, several interacting mechanisms, including generation of hormones angiotensin and aldosterone, adjust the system in the event of consumption of insufficient amounts of salt which would threaten the body’s nerves and muscles and interference with the sodium-potassium “pump” which adjusts intra- and extra-cellular pressures. If your salt intake varies widely, these mechanisms activate to assure that your body remains healthy, maintaining a relatively constant blood pressure.

The other component of salt, chloride (Cl) is also essential to good health. It preserves acid-base balance in the body, aids potassium absorption, supplies the essence of digestive stomach acid, and enhances the ability of the blood to carry carbon dioxide from respiring tissues to the lungs.

Because salt is essential to good health, the human body is hard-wired with an innate salt appetite.”

Ehow.com explains a little of salt’s preserving qualities:

• “Sometime in the early 1800s, man began to finally understand the way salt works as a preservative. This was important in places with long, hard winters with few sources of fresh food. Salt has antibacterial properties, so it inhibits the growth of bacteria which spoil food. When the food that is salted makes contact with the bacteria, the salt absorbs the moisture through the cell’s walls, which results in the death of the bacteria.

  Salt as a mold and yeast preventative

• Salt also is an effective deterrent to molds and yeast. In fermentation processes, salt inhibits the yeast from continuing to grow and allows the fermentation time to be regulated. Mold also must have a moist environment to grow, so the salt’s dehydrating properties nicely inhibit this as well.”

Looking at this, we see that salt is more than something to amp up the flavor of bland cooking.  We cannot live without salt.  It is essential for our well being and is also usable as a preservative.  However, too much salt in our diet can be bad for our health.  We also know how salt can corrode certain metals, while it aids in polishing other metals.  And, many of us know that slugs are completely adverse to salt (you can look up why that is, if you want.  Let’s just say, thank God for our skin).

The Greek word for salt, halas, according to Biblestudytools.com, is defined this way:

1. salt with which food is seasoned and sacrifices are sprinkled
2. those kinds of saline matter used to fertilise arable land
3. salt is a symbol of lasting concord, because it protects food from putrefaction and preserves it unchanged. Accordingly, in the solemn ratification of compacts, the orientals were, and are to this day, accustomed to partake of salt together
4. wisdom and grace exhibited in speech

Maybe we can see how we are the “salt of the earth”.  When salt is used as a seasoning, no one sees it, but it’s presence has made a difference.  When used as a preservative, it protects from harmful bacteria.  As medication, it helps cleanse infection and promote healing.  As a fertilizer, it encourages healthy growth.  We, too, should make a difference, even though others do not see what made the difference.  We should do what we can to preserve and protect.  We need to be about healing and we should seek the betterment of others.

One other thing about salt…it does the changing.  When you salt a food, it takes on the flavor of the salt.  The salt does not take on the flavor of the food.  Salt is not changed, but instead makes or affects change.  When we consume salt, it remains salt.  When we add it to food, it remains salt.  When we dilute salt in water, it remains salt and when all the water is removed (evaporated), the salt will remain.

I also find it interesting that salt was used not only as a seasoning, but also with sacrifices.  Leviticus 2:13 says, “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.”

Salt symbolized the covenant between God and Israel.  This, I also find interesting.  God’s covenant with Israel was about the Messiah.  Jesus, the Christ (Yeshua hamashiach) came as the completion of that covenant.  We, who have chosen to accept Him as Lord and Savior, having chosen to follow Him, bear His name are, therefore, the salt of the earth.  We are the embodiment of God’s covenant.

Interesting note:  Salt in the Hebrew, consists of 3 letters:

Mem Lamed Hai

The mem is the “Open”mem letter

which denotes the concealed truth of God

Lamed speaks of to stick, prick or goad, draws our attention to all learning.  It is acutally formed by two letters, Kaf an Vav Last letter, Hai, is Grace

Back to Kaf and Vav. Kaf is the hand that is open to bless and Vav is Nail.

So it would read: The concealed truth of God through the Cross and blessing to the Grace

I appreciate the efforts of my friend (recently published author), Mike Willingham in looking that up for me.

So, there are a few details about salt.  Now, about that light.  There are some facts about light that we all likely know.  Let’s see if I can bring up a few, here.

We need light to survive.  Our bodies health depend on natural sunlight.  Plant life need sunlight – I’ll spare any details about photo synthesis. Light illuminates, whether it is natural sunlight or artificial light from a bulb.  Without light, we would not see any color – it is the color spectrum  in the light  which illuminates color.  Again, let’s spare some details.  Anyway, light has two main functions in life…to illuminate and to guide.

A healthy eye needs light to distinguish color, shapes and sizes.  It only takes a trace of light to see something, brighter light to get better detail.  Sometimes, we need light to illuminate only one object or area on which we need to focus.  Speaking of focus, it is easier for an eye to focus if light is sufficient.

As for light illuminating an object or area, I am reminded of Psalm 119:105 which says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  (NIV).  Basically, if you were to carry a light (imagine perhaps a lantern or a candle), the glow would only be enough for your eyes to see a certain distance.  Of course, as you step further, that light will reveal more as it travels with you.  God’s word – what He speaks – lights enough for our feet to tread and as we go further, more of the path is revealed.  His spoken word, His decree, His order, His command…lights our way.

As necessary and beneficial as light is, too much can be harmful.  Most people know it is not good to stare at the sun.  Many others know that staying out in the sun too long can be harmful and painful.  Drivers know how blinding it is when driving at night and a driver in the opposite direction has his high beams on.  It is also annoying when someone shines a bright light right in your face.

As light, we are to illuminate and guide.  A lighthouse has a powerful light which is there to warn ships that they are close to land.  Yet, that same light in a small room would be overpowering.  Jesus said, “Let your light so shine…”.  He never said, “Shine your light in their faces.”  Every judgmental phrase, every picket line and protest of what we are against is glaring a light in the eyes of others who should see the light and not be blinded by it.

How counterproductive is that?  We think that showing people light and blinding them with it is the same thing.  You may as well offer a drowning man a glass of water.  You would do better telling a person who is lactose intolerant that a glass of milk will help them feel better.  This seems as helpful as putting an ice-pack on cold fingers to warm them up.  Okay, I could really beat this one to death – this, too, I shall spare you.

I am neither a theologian nor a scientist.  I simply took some comparisons of the natural examples of Kingdom principles as I see them.  I believe we, the Church, can do better in terms of our testimony and our delivery.  In essence, I think we have the potential to be salt without driving people’s blood pressure up and light without blinding people.