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A Word From The Fathers |
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The Kingdom Order of Male & Female
By Yashah Ben-Y'shua
So Elohim created man in His own image; in the image of Elohim He created him; male and female He created them.
- Bereshith [Genesis] 2:27
It is often said that among all the endless topics of discussion in the world, the two most emotionally charged of all are religion and politics. If you're looking for an argument, the saying goes, raise these topics and you'll surely find one...
Over the years, I've certainly found this to be an every day reality and then some! But I must say that in my experience, as an emotionally charged topic, absolutely no issue compares to that of the order of male and female. No other subject even comes close to the extreme tensions and bringing of raw emotions to the surface created by the male/female divide. And as we all know, this is especially true among the lost/found Kingdom of Yehudah; a.k.a. 'Black' America.
And of course, given the history of our sojourn in America, this is to be expected. After all, like Satan in the garden, the slave master's primary objective is to usurp the authority of the man. And the modus operandi is to "climb up the wall" by entering in through the woman, rather than by the gate keeper YAH provided.
And unfortunately, the ill effects of this wicked distortion of our families, and the excruciating mental, physical and emotional degradation heaped upon our people as a result, still reverberate into our modern day experiences...
Nevertheless, as faithful shepherds of YAH, those who have been charged with the responsibility to feed the flock of Y'shua are duty bound to weigh in on this issue - within the modern context; but yet from a scripturally foundational frame of reference. Of course, this servant is no exception. And so with great sobriety, and at the risk of being perceived as arrogant, anti-female, or worse, I must put forth that which is needful concerning this urgent matter facing the 'Messianic' remnant in this hour...
To begin with, we must recognize that one of the most basic principles of scriptural exegesis is that a verse taken out of context becomes a pretext. And another basic truth of interpretation/explanation is that no sound doctrine can be established on the strength of one witness. One man, one verse, one chapter, one teacher, or one anything else, is insufficient to establish a word of truth...
As with all controversial and unsettled matters among the remnant of Yisrael, these principles have been grossly violated in teaching the order of male and female. In my judgment, despite it's complexities, this issue has become deeply distorted by some very simple misinterpretations of scripture.
Galatians 3:28
Almost without exception, across all factions, cliques, denominations, etc. in the household of faith, the clarion call for the removal of gender distinction is: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Y'shua Ha Mashiach." (Gal. 3:28).
But is this verse really a doctrine that the order of male and female has been removed in Christ?
The same shalach (apostle) who wrote the epistle to the Galatians, Paul, also wrote, "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Cor. 13:1). Here, he sets forth a basic principle by which his words are to be established. And yet no other teaching from Paul [or any other apostle] that would corroborate removing the order of male and female in Mashiach has even been tabled!
What IS present is just the opposite...
In reality, the same apostle who wrote "...there is neither male nor female" also wrote, "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Mashiach; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Mashiach is YHWH." (1 Cor. 11:3).
Is the apostle confused, or inconsistent? Despite those who misperceive or reject Paul as the instigator of a lawless movement; the answer, in my judgment, is clear - no! So then, it necessarily follows that this prevailing 'wind of doctrine' tossing the nation to and fro is in reality, not a scripturally rooted truth at all! Sélah.
So then the real question becomes, if Paul wasn't teaching a removal of gender distinction, then just what exactly was he teaching? In what way is there no distinction between male and female?
To begin with, in keeping with the above mentioned basic principles of study, the verse in question must be understood in its proper context. The letter to the Galatians in its entirety, is not concerning Kingdom order at all; but the process of redemption...
Let's look at the verses leading up to verse 28 to establish what is actually being taught:
"Is the law then against the promises of YAH? YAH forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Y'shua Ha Mashiach might be given to them that believe."
"But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."
"But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For you are all the children of YAH by faith in Y'shua Ha Mashiach. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Y'shua the Messiah. And if ye be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:21-28).
For example, prior to the establishing of the Messianic Covenant, the primary indication of being in covenant with YAH was circumcision - an outward cutting away of the flesh. So the "neither Jew nor Greek" reference relates in part to circumcision, which was/is the outward sign or token of the Hebrew covenants.
But in CHRIST, both Hebrew Israelites and Gentiles become acceptable in the same
way - not by a fleshly circumcision; but by circumcision of the heart - an
INWARD cutting away of the flesh. By FAITH in Mashiach. In like manner, before the Messianic Covenant [and after], women of course, were not circumcised. Their outward token of blood was found in their virginity - shedding blood in the consummation of marriage. But in Christ, we enter in not by the blood of circumcision, nor by the tokens of virginity, but by the blood of the Lamb of YAH! In HIS blood. In this sense, there IS no distinction between male and female in Christ - both male and female are justified in the same way - By faith in the blood of Mashiach.
As a matter of basic truth, this revelation of redemption in Christ is in no wise incompatible with, nor contradictory to Paul's teachings in the Ruakh on the order of male and female. Your Sons and Daughters Shall Prophesy Many of us who seek to justify the removal of this order, point to the awesome prophesy of Yoel (Joel), quoted by Kefa Ha Shalach (the apostle Peter) on that fateful first century 'Feast of Weeks' - "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..." (Yoel [Joel] 2:28). Many of us have taken this prophecy to mean that the order of male and female has been removed! Now to be sure, we as the holy nation would simply be incomplete without the inspired speaking of our anointed sisters! But clearly, the fact that such women were referred to in YAH's covenants with Yisrael as 'prophetesses' and not prophets is itself a clear indication of the distinction yet drawn by YAH Himself between male and female... Let there be no doubt - prophesying, or speaking under the inspiration of the Ruakh is extremely valuable. However, there is nothing in this gifting that changes the basic order set forth in the garden of Eden. And when that order was violated, it resulted in the fall of both male and female. Sélah. Deborah and Miriam Even in the case of Deborah, the great prophetess who judged in pre-Davidic Yisrael; the truth is, unlike the leadership of the other Judges, it was not Deborah herself, but Barak, who actually commanded the armies of Israel to victory. To be sure, she prophesied the victory. And this was without a doubt a critical contribution to saving the nation! However, it was Barak who set the battle plan... Much like Nathan who prophesied to King David, rightly did Deborah prophesy, declaring unto Barak, "Arise; for this is the day in which YHWH hath delivered Sisera into your hand: has not YAH gone out before you?" (Judges 4:14). And finally, concerning revelation in the Tanakh on the role of the prophetess - the Torah reminds us with Moshe's sister, the prophetess Miriam, of the fate of a sister [or brother] who would call into question the YAH-ordained Kingdom order of male and female! Beloved, we're in an hour much like the period of the Judges. And our period is drawing to an end in like manner. This time around, the "Judges" phase will again give way to a season of the "Kings," and the rebuilding, not of the tabernacle of Moshe, but the tabernacle of David! [See Acts 15:13-17]. Sélah. Mary at the Garden Tomb In some quarters, it is believed and taught that Miriam (Mary), who was first to encounter the risen Christ, was the first apostle, since she was the first to spread the news of His Resurrection. It has even been suggested that while the twelve hand-picked apostles of Y'shua were hiding in fear for their lives, the women fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel... But the truth is, with all due respect to the female disciples of Y'shua, (and much respect is due), they were not somehow more courageous, and thus greater than His apostles. They were simply not under the eminent threat of Roman brutality as were the men. In anointing Y'shua's body in burial, or even in delivering His message to the brethren that He had risen, they simply had little if anything to fear in the way of capital punishment by crucifixion. The truth is, Mary didn't visit the tomb to greet the risen Messiah. She went with every intention of anointing His body in death. And when she did see Him, similar to the brothers He greeted later on that day, she failed to recognize Him, and even mistook Him for the gardener. Is this not a clear indication that she too, didn't believe in His prophecies concerning the Resurrection any more than His twelve apostles? Again, such unscriptural conclusions are drawn by those whose overwhelming emotional pain leads them to interpret scripture in reaction to their own life experiences, rather than interpreting their life experiences in reaction to scriptural truth. And while this is definitely understandable, especially given the inordinate amount of suffering our sisters in particular have been forced to endure - in many instances, by so-called brothers - this cannot and must no longer be a methodology for establishing doctrine among the holy nation... The 'New Day' Argument
Sadly, another common misnomer among the remnant comes not from the scriptures, but from the vanity of this world. This lying spirit teaches that patriarchy, or drawing a distinction between male and female, is archaic - the relic of an unenlightened past which will eventually be assigned its place in the dung heap of history...
But let us look, Yisrael, at the scriptural basis found in the Messianic Covenant for drawing this distinction: "But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adahm (Adam) was first formed, then Khawah (Eve). And Adahm was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." (2 Tim. 2:12-14). In this untoward generation - particularly here in the midst of Egypt/Babylon - there are those who claim Y'shua as Messiah, and yet respond to this passage as if it were uttered by haShatan himself! Again, the same apostle, through the same Ruakh Ha Qodesh, sets forth as a foundation for the order of male and female, the fact that man was the original creation of YAH. And beyond that, he points out that while it was the man who willfully sinned, the woman was deceived, and actually BELIEVED the lie of Satan. The TRUTH of the matter is, the order of male and female is not some throwback to a bygone era, but an unchangeable divine ordinance throughout the generations of Yisrael. The truth is, until we depart from these earthly tabernacles (our physical bodies), the order of male and female remains constant, necessary, and in full effect in Mashiach... So then, the emotionally driven argument that this order is the exclusive domain of ego-driven male chauvinists who long to return to an age when women were abused with impunity is simply inaccurate. This argument, even when under a surface attack, simply collapses of its own weight... The Prophecy of YeshaYahu (Isaiah) Among the greatest prophecies of YeshaYahu (Isaiah) is an amazing end-time vision of the daughters of Tzione (Zion). It portends a time of great confusion, rebellion and disobedience. It reads in part: "As for my people, children are their oppressors and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths." (Is. 3:12). This verse very clearly reveals that the rule of women is NOT YAH's alternative plan when men abdicate their priestly responsibilities, as is so often being taught... When Adahm originally sinned, it was after Khawah (Eve) had already been deceived. And yet when YAH approached them, He called on the man FIRST. He would not violate His own established order. Not even in Adahm's fall. And neither should we. Notice that Satan, being the lawless one, went to the woman first. But YAH remained faithful to the order of male and female, and still honored the man as the head of the woman; regardless of the man having fallen short as a husband to the woman, as well as a son to Himself. This basic order of male and female did NOT change - even in Adahm's failure. Sélah. And so it is, in every generation - including our own. YeshaYahu (Isaiah) goes on to prophesy, "Moreover, YHWH says, because the daughters of Tzione (Zion) are very proud, they walk along with their noses in the air. They tease men with their eyes. They walk with quick, short steps. Little chains jingle on their ankles. So I will put sores on the heads of the daughters Zion. And YAH will uncover their secret parts." "At that time YAH will take away the beautiful things they wear. He will take away their decorations, headbands and moon shaped necklaces. He'll take away their earrings, bracelets and veils. He'll remove their headdresses, ankle chains and belts. He'll take away their perfume bottles and charms. He'll remove the rings they wear on their fingers and in their noses. He'll take away their fine robes and their capes and coats. He'll take away their purses and mirrors. And he'll take away their linen clothes, turbans and shawls... " (YeshaYahu [Is.] 4:16-23). Shall we then gloss over this very critical word for this hour, Yisrael, because it hits us where we live? Nay, rather... Just like the afflicted need comforting, the comfortable need afflicting... Y'shua's brother Ya'aqob (James) put it this way: "Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of YAH, and He will lift you up." (Ya'aqob [James] 4:9-10). Finally my brethren, the third chapter of YeshaYahu (Isaiah) ends with these words: "Your men shall fall by the sword, And your mighty in the war (World War III; the opening battles of which have already been fought in Iraq). Her gates (her city) shall lament and mourn, And she being desolate shall sit on the ground." (YeshaYahu [Is.] 3:26). Ultimate Restoration and Fulfillment Of course, it's no mere coincidence that the next verse, Chapter 4, verse 1, says this: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by your name, to take away our reproach." (YeshaYahu [Is.] 4:1). Like so much of the prophecy recorded in the Tanakh, the picture YeshaYahu paints is not a pretty one. But the final outcome is glorious beyond measure! Behold - our generation has been divinely favored to experience what the holy men of old who have died before us, including King Shelomoh and our father Abraham himself, have longed to witness - the establishing of the marriages and families of the Commonwealth of Yisrael in Kingdom order, unto righteousness and true holiness, according to the promise to Abraham! YeshaYahu's Benediction In spite of this blunt, scathing indictment of Yisrael in general, and the daughters of Tzione in particular, YeshaYahu, by inspiration of the Ruach, leaves all of us with this marvelous assurance concerning the soon-coming Kingdom age - "In that day shall the branch of YHWH be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Yisrael. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Tzione, and he that remains in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Yerushalayim: when YAH shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Yerushalayim from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning." "And YAH will create upon every dwelling place of mount Tzione, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defense. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." Let the faithful and true remnant of the holy nation say Ahmein! Shalom Aleichem! |
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