God says that he does not change. (Malachi 3:6) reads "I the Lord do not change..."
So how God views things should be consistent.
We know how men appraise things, but how does God ? How does God see?
(Prov 3:5,6,7) Do not lean on your own opinion.
(Psalms 146:3,4) Trust God's word.
Look up the scriptures.
No human can see like God does, however we can get a glimpse into how God sees by examining his word.
Jesus is the word of God and we can have the mind of Christ.
(1 Cor 2:16)
New Living Translation
For, "Who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
So, using some bible accounts...let us get a glimpse into how God views things.
( 1 Samuel 16:6, 7 )
It says here that Samuel was looking at Eliab the son of Jesse and he thought...."Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord."
Was this how God saw it?
Not at all, for God said to Samuel..."Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Yes, God examines the heart, not the outward appearance of a person. (Prov 21:2)
(Jer 17:10) (Prov 16:2)
(Prov 21:2) NET Bible: All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
He is not looking at the acquired wealth, the stature among men, pleasing looks, or the gender of a person. He is looking inside the person...he examines the person's motives. God does not choose according to what men see, God reads the heart, not the biological attributes that you happen to have been born with, by no choice of your own. (1Sam 16:7)
We know that men do look at appearances, and stature. This can be seen in the ancient nation of Israel. In ancient Israel, the religious leaders were skeptical of Jesus, as well as his apostles. Why?
They said Jesus did not attend any of the rabbinical schools, and was just the son of a carpenter. (Matt 13:54,55,56,57). They were amazed at his teachings, but still skeptical. He just didn't fit their model of a teacher. He didn't attend the schools.
(John 7:15)
International Standard Version
The Jewish leaders were astonished and remarked, "How can this man be so educated when he has never gone to school?"
(Acts 4:13)
Weymouth New Testament
As they looked on Peter and John so fearlessly outspoken--and also discovered that they were illiterate persons, untrained in the schools--they were surprised; and now they recognized them as having been with Jesus.
Now in ancient Israel, as well as most of the Middle East, (Even in much of the world today), there was another attribute that was looked down upon. The men had a low opinion of women. The males received the inheritance mainly. Specifically the firstborn. But God did not always view it that way. Because God's ways are higher than ours . (Isa 55:8,9) Notice Jacob's decision, and Joseph's objection: (Gen 48:14, 17, 18, 19) Apparently God viewed this as right, because he could see the hearts of these two sons.
What about women receiving the inheritance? How did God view this? Look what happened with Moses concerning Zelophehad's daughters:
(Numbers 27:4-8)
4 Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.”
5 So Moses brought their case before the Lord, 6 and the Lord said to him, 7 “What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and give their father’s inheritance to them.
8 “Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, give his inheritance to his daughter..."
God's way is adjusted right, not man's.
God even chose women to be Prophets in Israel.
There was Deborah as one example and she judged Israel in those days.
(Judges 4)
4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time.
5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. 7 I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”
8 Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
9 “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”
Why was it so difficult for Barak to accept the word that Deborah was giving him. What was this course that he was taking? If a male Prophet like Elijah had spoken the same words to Barak would he have taken the same course ? Was Barak's course due to Deborah being a woman? Deborah said that because of the course Barak was taking...that the honor would not be his... but would be given to a woman.
It was an established fact that Deborah was a chosen Prophet of God, that she was leading Israel, that she held court in the hill country, and that the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. This was not a hidden thing. Barak was well aware of it, however he still chose to take the course he did... God could read Barak's heart. He did not respect God's choice. If he had readily accepted God's command ,that was delivered to him by Deborah, (Judges 4:6, 7, 8) ...the honor would have been his.
This should teach us a lesson.
If we fail to accept the word of God from a woman, simply because she is a woman, what will God think of us? We should not judge the messenger, but instead, we should examine the message that they give, through the scriptures they give. How can anyone disregard the scriptures?
(There were also other women prophets...see Pearl Doxsey's article :
http://pearl-womenteach.blogspot.com/
We know that the anointed ones, are chosen from among women and men. Consider also that the Bible says there is neither male or female within the "body of Christ" (Gal 3:28)
Should we follow the attitude of men and their order of heirarchy?
Or rather should we see things through the eyes of God ? (Acts 5:29)
Notice what the Apostle Paul says concerning an anointed sister named Phoebe:
(Romans 16:1, 2)
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
Who was Phoebe? (This is part of an article that I found on-line)
A literal translation - Greek terms for her titles - Overseer, elder, pastor
Phoebe (Koine Greek Φοίβη) was a first-century Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:1-2) A notable woman whose leadership of the church of Cenchreae has been diminished especially in some modern translations, she was trusted by Paul to deliver his letter to the Romans.
In writing to the church that almost surely met in her home, Paul refers to her both as a deacon (Gk. diakonon masc.) and as a helper or patron of many (Gk. prostatis). This is the only place in the New Testament where a woman is specifically referred to with these two distinctions. Paul introduces Phoebe as his emissary to the church in Rome and, because they are not acquainted with her, Paul provides them with her credentials.
Phoebe's exceptional character, noted [Rom. 16:2] by her status as a deacon and prostatis—one who should be esteemed highly "because of their work" [1 Thes. 5:12]— may be the reason Paul sent her to Rome where she delivered the letter to Rome. By referring to Phoebe as a prostatis, Paul solicits the attention and respect of the leaders in Rome's church, which also included other women Mary [Rom. 16:6] and Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis. [Rom. 16:12]
God does not change.
So although men see only the outward appearances, God does not.
Consider the following from a human standpoint:
Women are given in marriage to Men.
The women are the Brides, and the Men are the Husbands.
Men are never brides from a human standpoint.
Women are also sisters, not brothers, at least this is how we see it.
What does the bible say about males and females?
How does God see it?
Speaking to First Century anointed Christians, Paul says that he promised them (anointed females and males), as a pure virgin to one "HUSBAND". (2 Cor 11:2) The Bible speaks of the anointed collectively as the Lamb's wife and the Bride of Christ. (Rev 21:2,9,10) Using this relationship, one could, (From a human standpoint ), consider all anointed ones, both male and female, as "women" , since they are described as being promised in marriage to one HUSBAND, or as the Lamb's wife, the Bride of Christ. So then my brothers, viewing it from this perspective, the anointed could be considered to be all females ...from a human standpoint.
Paul also says that they are God's sons. (Gal 4:6) Jesus says that they are all "brothers". (Matt 23:8) Using this relationship, we could consider them all, both male and female, as men, since they are called "sons" and "brothers" of Christ. (Gal 4:6) (Matt 23:8)
Yes, in this instance even the sisters could be considered as males from a human standpoint.
God even calls the nation of Israel a daughter:
(2 Kings 19:21) ( Isa 1:8) ( Isa 62:11) (Micah 4:13) (Zech 2:10) (Zechariah 9:9)
Now, are we starting to get the sense of it? Depending on the role that is being referred to, the anointed can be described in terms that humans can comprehend. Collectively they are the body of Christ, they are the Lamb's wife (his Bride), they are God's sons and they are Jesus' "brothers". This also includes all those faithful ones alive today.
This being said, there is no superiority of one over the other based on the physical gender that they happened to be born with. This applies now , as well as later. Being born a male (purely by chance) does not grant you some imagined superiority over a female chosen one. If God gives different gifts, then what of it? God does the choosing, not us.
(Rom 12:4, 6, 7, 8) ( 1 Cor 12:11, 18)
This may be a hard pill to swallow for many of us men. Pride is a difficult inclination to battle. After all we live in a male dominated world, where women could not vote or own property for many centuries. This is still the case in many parts of the world today.
Is it wrong though, for us to desire some sort of respect and prominence, due to our "hard work"? Well, Jesus did tell us, that after we have done all things assigned to us...we should say to ourselves...we are "good for nothing slaves...what we have done is what we should have done". (Luke 17:10)
Also, as to having feelings of superiority, think about this:
Remember how often the Apostles argued among themselves about which one of them seemed to be the greatest? (Even during Jesus last hours before his death) (Luke 22:24) (Mark 9:33, 34, 35) (Mark 10:35, 37, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45) (Matt 23:8) Should anyone ever be thinking this way? God sees our heart , we cannot hide our inner thoughts and feelings from him.
Not only were the males in competition with one another for a superior status. The males in the Jewish nation did not think highly of women, and yet Jesus had many female anointed ones among his disciples . Jesus talked with women, even though this was frowned upon by the males of the Jewish nation.
(John chapter 4)
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”
Simply being born male or female does not make one better than the opposite gender. God pours out his Holy Spirit on both men and women. (Acts 1:14) (Acts 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 18) Paul says not to think more of yourself than is necessary, but to value others more. (Rom 12:3) (Phil 2:3) The Apostles were men unlettered and ordinary. (Acts 4:13) God chose the weak things that were looked down upon to put the wise men to shame.
(1 Cor 1:26, 27, 28, 29) (1 Cor 2:4, 5) He did not choose based on their education, intelligence, gender, or stature among men.
He chooses those with weakness for a reason.
Remember when God told Gideon that he had too many soldiers? (Judges 7:2) God eventually whittled it down to only 300 men to go up against a formidable force. Why? To show that it was God's power that is at work and not their own. (2 Cor 12:9) (1Cor 2:5) It is the same with whom God chooses to do his will today, whether he chooses a man or a woman.
This work is his work, not ours.
The choice is God's not ours. (1 Cor 12:11, 18)
God looks at the heart of a person, not the outward appearance. (1 Sam 16:7)
God had prophets who were women in the nation of Israel. (Judges 4:4, 5, 6, 8, 9) The Israelite people respected God's choice, they even sought Deborah out. There are others also.
(Luke 2:36, 37, 38) (Acts 2:18) (Acts 21:8, 9)
Men have made organizations that elevate males to positions of power and prominence over others. The Watchtower Organization certainly has this structure and as we all know they refer to it as ("the arrangement"). This is not the way Jesus wants his brothers to be. It was not God's arrangement. (Matt 20:25, 26, 27, 28) This is not what Paul taught either. Paul recommended women, and noted their value within the Christian congregations. Phobe...a deacon of the congregation..., Priscilla, Mary, Persis, Tryphena and Tryphosa, just to name a few. Read the scriptures at (Romans 16:1-16).
Pay close attention to verse 17, (Romans 16:17). Paul is warning them to be on guard. This can also be applied towards those who are putting an obstacle, (Male superiority), in the way of the teaching you have learned...the teaching of Christ with respect to a person's position within the body of Christ.
Remember this is God's choice, not ours.
(1 Cor 12:11, 18)
Or are we not seeing things the way God does?
(Isaiah 55:8,9)
New Living Translation
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine..."
NET Bible
"...for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans."
Remember the argument as to which one seemed to be the greatest. (A favorite argument among the males Jesus chose to be his Apostles).
Jesus says that even he did not have the authority to make two of his Apostles James and John sit at his right and left hand.
(Mark 10:40)
GOD'S WORD® Translation
"...But I don't have the authority to grant you a seat at my right or left. Those positions have already been prepared for certain people."
Jesus said that it is God's choice, not his.
Again, what attitude did Jesus want all of them to have? (Luke 17:10)
So in conclusion, all of God's sons, Jesus Christ's brothers, the Lamb's wife and bride are made up of anointed men and women. The body of Christ is one body and only Jesus is the head.
Being a male or female should not be what we see.
Rather being a slave who faithfully carries out his or her duty is what is expected. (Luke 17:10)
We should see things through God's eyes
All anointed are the body collectively and no part can say it does not need the other parts.
(1 Cor 12:21)
However, God does assign them different roles as he pleases
(1 Cor 12:11, 18, 19, 27, 28) Not all are Apostles, and not all are Prophets. (1 Cor 12:29) So then, it is God who chooses what role you will serve as within the body, not the servant himself. Each one has been placed within the body just as God pleases. (1 Cor 12:18) Try to be happy and content with what ever part of the body of Christ you have been chosen to be a part of. Especially be happy if you have been chosen at all.
If God chose a woman to prophesy today, it would prove to be quite a test of humility for any male "chosen" one.
Yes my brothers, this is a formidable test of humility ! What could appear weaker and more looked down upon than a woman in the eyes of proud men? If a female prophet or teacher is chosen by God, then by all means she should carry out her God assigned duty. Would not any man do the same, or would their own pride be their downfall?
Remember King Saul? (1 Sam 18:6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,12) God allowed Saul be the King of Israel , and then David, but Saul became proud, so God left him.
God cannot use those who are proud in their hearts.
God's eyes are going all throughout the earth, to find ones whose hearts are complete towards him so that he can show them favor and use them to do his will.
(2Chron 16:9)
GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD's eyes scan the whole world to find those whose hearts are committed to him and to strengthen them. You acted foolishly in this matter. So from now on, you will have to fight wars."
Will we act foolishly in this matter of God's choice?
God has the right to do whatever he wishes? (Rom 9:21) If we let our pride get in the way of accepting God's choice we will be resisting Holy Spirit.
(Acts 26:14)
GOD'S WORD® Translation
All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It's hard for [a mortal like] you to resist God.'
All of us who are mature should take a view of such things. (Philippians 3:15) Jesus says that if we truly want to do the will of God, then we will know if the teachings are from God. (John 7:15, 16, 17, 18) Jesus said that we could do nothing apart from him. (John 15:5) Those who do not remain in union with Jesus will wither up and end up losing even what they "think they have". (Luke 8:18) (John 15:6)
A slave is only a slave and nothing more. Anything that a slave is given is from his master and not from the slave himself. We have no reason to boast, or think more of ourselves than we should.
(1 Cor 4:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10)
Why would anyone want to miss out on what God is providing because we find fault with the servant who is serving it? Paul said he would rather boast in his weaknesses. (2 Cor 12:9)
The banquet of this wedding feast is from God. (Matt 10:20)
(Rom 11:33, 34, 35, 36)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
I hope this is well considered by all.
Agape, Obadiah
