Today I read Solomon speaking of things practical and logical. So much of what we do in life is meaningless - really. Without contentment, well, life is just hard.
Ecclesiastes 4.9 states a valid but often overlooked truth, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." Without question, unity is essential. But how often do we become single-minded in ourselves alone and fail to realize the strength of another person (or persons)? Ouch, who told Solomon about me? (I can't help but jump ahead here to 2 Corinthians 6.14, "Don't team up with those who are unbelievers..." While unity is desirable, it is within the setting of like faith.)
5.19 of Ecclesiastes states, "And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life - this is indeed a gift from God." Whoa! Am I caught up in a deadly and useless trap? Am I taking myself entirely too seriously? These are good questions for the mirror. I think I shall ask them today!
God move me toward contentment. Guide my steps into the peaceful relationship You desire me to have with yourself and others.
1 comment:
The thing with women being silent is potentially a big issue. "I" believe the Bible is relevant to every culture, age, and society. "I" also believe a proper understanding of the Bible requires that we try our best to understand the culture, age, and society in which it was written. "I" also realize "I" may be the most stupid person alive... and, as such, should not be taken too seriously as "I" too am still only a student and seeking an understanding of what the Word is teaching us TODAY.
Having said all this, I could never dispute "the Word", but I do believe it is prudent to ask the hard question: what IS this saying? For this one instance directing women to be silent, we see many more instances (particularly mentioned by this same Paul) of women having what appears to be leading roles in Christendom... So (here we go again) "I" believe maybe there is more to the particular story with the Corinthian church and that we may have no idea what it is. We CAN compare it with other references to women in the Word and try from there to discern God's true heart on the matter. Does that make sense?
Women are in no way "second rate".
The MAIN concern would be this: Does a woman (female human) better love God and mankind (and so, as per Jesus, fulfill all the Law) by being quiet in a "church" meeting, or otherwise?
And, by the way, it is OK to be unsettled when we read the Word. We can be sure it is at work in us! Is the Word requiring a change in us? Or is the Word challenging us to dig deeper? One thing is certain: the Word will not leave us unchanged. That is good!
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