The Warrior Wife

  

I love discovering the meaning behind words. There are certain cultural shades of meaning which can be overlooked or misunderstood by translators from a different culture and mindset.

 Not understanding Hebrew (and most other languages) I like to listen to those emmeshed in or from a particular culture. Happened a very short time ago. Discussion got around to Biblical matters and Genesis in particular, which is a strong interest of mine.

“Did you know” my guest said, “the word for Eve has a military implication?”

“No! In what way?” I had in mind pictures of the super hero ‘Miss America.’   

“Nothing like that, and yet maybe there are shadows of it.”

 The word translated as ‘help-meet’ (Genesis 2:18) is the Hebrew word ‘ezer kenedgo’ (EZER = Helper. KENEDGO = Suitable) - and has a military meaning. The following verses from the Bible all translate ‘EZER’ as help.

I am poor and needy: make haste unto me O God: you are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying. Psalm 70:5

 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: He is their help and their shield, Psalm 115:11.

 I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where my help come. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth, Psalm 121:1-2.

 There are numerous other passages endorsing the imagery of ‘Helper’ being a military concept. I do like Psalm 121 in this light. I’m a pilgrim in this life and sometimes feel alone. However, the Lord I serve isn’t confined to the hills or valley’s but is responsive to my need, my call. This re-enforced by the title He bears, ‘The Lord of Hosts’ and ‘The Captain of the Lord’s Army.’

 When applied to Eve’s role with Adam the word ‘EZER’ expresses equality of rank, service and responsibility. One aspect of her role is to protect Adam’s back and also assist his advance. Should he fall, she stands guard. Should he advance, she is with him. should they be assailed, they stand together. Should either of them receive honour or recognition, both are included.

 Within the Christian scene this great analogy for a husband and wife can only be distorted by disobeying the Commanding Officer, The Lord Jesus Christ. If that happens, He has promised a ‘court-marshal.’

 ©Ray Hawkins September 23 2020.

The 2nd Adam and Isaiah 53.

 

There’s an interesting principle recognised in Scripture. I’d call the Principle of the ‘Flesh’ then the ‘Spirit.’ I Corinthians 15:45-49. Consider it in the light of Esau and Jacob, Saul and David.

Apply this to Adam of the Garden of Eden fame and the 2^nd Adam from Galilee. Here, in the mind of God, are the only two true men in Earth’s history. Let the following stretch your mind: what Jesus did in His ministry He did as Man, not Immanuel [God with us]. Therefore, the 1^st Adam could have done what Jesus did! Maybe from that we can gain an insight into the horrendous cost of the treason of Adam of Eden.

His legacy is dark. It includes death, both physical and spiritual; the loss of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; the delusion of being as a god [the Serpent’s word]; the works of the Flesh [Galatians 5:17-21]; corruption of the body [1 Corinthians 15:42]; Etc.

In the light of this you can understand Romans 3:23, we fall short of the Lord’s ‘bench mark’ because we have Adam as our Federal Head. Romans 5 uses the words: sinners, wrath, enemies, condemnation, judgement, to further describe our situation from Heaven’s perspective. Co-incidentally, this explains why the 2^nd Adam’s entrance into the World required the virgin birth. He was free from the 1^st Adam’s curse and legacy bequeathed to us.

How was it possible then for God to look on and talk to Adam and Eve? Because of the wonder of the fact that the Messiah, in the mind of Yahweh, had already been crucified. He looked at Adam and everyone thereafter through the cross. The Eternal Lord also clothed Adam and Eve in clothing made from skin, presumedly, from a sheep.  

Jesus as the 2^nd Adam was tested by Satan in the Wilderness after fasting for forty days. It was as Man Jesus faced the one who beguiled Eve to bring about her husband’s downfall. Jesus prevailed as Man by standing on the Word of God and using it to unmask and then defeat His adversary. Scriptures informs us that He was tested through the same means with which we are, yet without yielding [Hebrews 4:15].

In the light of the Christ of the cross we can begin to grasp the enormity of the 1^st Adam’s failure. There on Calvary was the greatest conflict of all time, and beyond. Adam of Eden’s betrayal with its consequences, Satan’s instrument, Death and Yahweh’s righteous judgement. All this, plus the sin of everyone ever conceive sought to overwhelm and destroy the Servant of Isaiah 53. Could His sinless, tested humanity prevail?  What was required to put things holy, pure and immortal was one as Adam was before His fall. Another Creation of another Man would not do. That which was required was a descendant of Adam and Eve. Because, Adam of Eden had been made in the image of God, [Genesis1:26-27] it was possible for God to be clothed in Humanity [Philippians 2:5-8]. Whilst Isaiah 53 deals primarily with the Nation of Israel’s cataclysmic failures, Jesus stressed its wider embrace. There is another sheep fold He must bring under His shepherding care. This would also require Him to lay down His life for them [John 10:15-17].

All of this would be useless without the testimony of the empty tomb. If Christ be not risen, He is a fraud, the scriptures are a lie, we who preach Jesus as Lord and Saviour, risen and interceding for us are deceivers. However, Jesus the Christ, the 2^nd Adam, the fulness of Isaiah 53’s shadow has conquered all that which sought to destroy Him.

As the 2^nd Adam what has He achieved? Much more than that which follows. We share in the resurrection from the dead; He has made us alive; death is destroyed, He will rule supreme; the gift of a new, spiritual, incorruptible, glorious and immortal body [1Corinthians 15:21-54]. By His grace, through commitment to Him we are new people, justified, kings and priests, righteous, reconciled, at peace, rejoicing in hope [Romans 5 2 Corinthians 5:17 Etc.]. and, we shall see Him, worship Him and be like Him [1 John 3:2.]

When you read Isaiah 53 with its beauty and savagery one thing ‘speaks’ loud and clear, ‘He shall see the labour of His soul and be satisfied’ [verse11]. This reminds us of Hebrews 12:2 ‘looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Hm endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’  

To reject the Person revealed in Isaiah 53 and made known to us, from the Gospels, as Jesus is dangerous. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and as such He alone can lead us to the Father. As Peter said in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no other, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” And those words were secured by His death at Calvary and His triumph from the tomb. There is no other Redeemer! Outside of Jesus the Christ, is condemnation, separation, and an eternal sorrow!

Whilst there is the opportunity do not neglect His grace or spurn His offer of forgiveness, newness and a faith relationship which leads to beholding Him in His Kingdom. Give Him a call, how, simply believe He is close by, unseen yet waiting for you to invite Him to be your Saviour and Lord. this is your giving Him your life in a faith response to that which He has done for you. Get a Bible, read Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, the four Gospels to give yourself a foundation on which to know and enjoy Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Find a church which believes the Bible is true and teaches it.

 

©Ray Hawkins Sept.3^rd 2019

Where Marriage was created.

The sexual debate has gone full circle from Caesar's time to now. When the Church began its entrance into Gentile territory it faced a sexual minefield. Rome's attitude to sexual relations was in stark contrast to that upheld by the Judeo-Christian faith. How did the Christian faith take on the challenge? 

By paying a high price in its commitment to the Scriptures Jesus believed in. By an understanding that marriage had links to the Creation of Adam and Eve. Believers showed a better way in their marital relationship and its impact upon the children. I don't read of Christians holding protest marches but rather being vilified for their stance and power of debate. The cross triumphed over the sword and the arena by the faithful witness even unto death.

Why would people once happy with a free and easy, unrestrained sexual taste remove themselves from that scene? Why would they be willing to be scorned by those once considered friends? Because the came to understand that marriage was more than sex and having legitimate heirs. Behind it was a spiritual dimension that only the Creator would explain much later. This reason undergirding marriage has for many Christians and church goers been neglected, or worse still, debunked.

Genesis tells us that the Lord created Adam first and from his side made Eve. How ridiculous! We all know it is the woman which gives birth. Why would the Creator stretch our credibility with Adam producing Eve? This isn't only recorded in Genesis 2:21-25 but by the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:13. It is only the Scriptures that tells of the reason and it is twofold. One is that when a husband and wife come together in the sexual act they become one flesh. This is why the Bible is so strident against promiscuity. It is also the same reason as to why same sex relationships will never be valid  in the Lord God's sight. 

The other reason is that Eve being formed from out of the side of Adam pointed to Christ and the cross. Jesus is the redeemer. He is also the One (and the only One) from whom the Church could come. The significance of the spear into His side is for forgiveness, yes, but more so for the creation, birth, forming of the Church. That is why the Church is likened to a bride. It takes us back to the Creative act of God in Genesis. Therefore when a person was converted and realised the call upon his or her life a new mindset based upon the Bible developed.

Within this new realm grew a desire to honour the Lord and Saviour. To do that required making a commitment to live a life pleasing to Him. There are many verses in the New Testament explaining the difficulties but determination in living such a life. Too many disciples of Christ have too little understanding of the lifestyle required as pleasing unto their Lord.

Let us stand our ground as to why the Christian concept of marriage is best for our society. we don't have to be rude, crude or derogatory towards other views. However we may need to develop a mindset which will endure various forms of opposition. The best answer is in many ways is being muffled by relationship breakdowns of church goers. What is needed by non-Christians to see is a fulfilled, interesting, growing and enjoyable marriage between a man and a woman who seek to honour Jesus. Let it be your!

Ray Hawkins 13.8.2017
The devotional 'From Eden with Love is about Marriage. It is available from Christian bookshops and as an ebook.

You can get it from me, the author, also.

Vandalsing Marriage

Vandal: A person who destroys or damages beautiful or valuable things on purpose. Defined by the World Book dictionary.

Marriage: No longer definable.
Once so easily understood and easily explained has now been defaced beyond meaning. Cut loose from its primary reason for existence it has mutated into a hideous non–descript caricature.





Originally marriage was associated with creation according to Genesis 1–2. There is a uniqueness and a mystery it its presentation. When the Lord created Adam the man was a solo creature. He needed a helper, a soul mate. God performed the first surgery when He drew out from Adam’s side the first female. It was love at first sight and he named her Eve.

Why did God go about this relationship in what at first appears a back to front manner? For it is the woman who gives birth, not the man. What was the Lord God’s purpose in doing it His way? He was presenting future generations with the mystery undergirding the marital and sexual relationship of a man and wife. Adam prefigured Jesus Christ and Eve foreshadowed the Church. On the cross we are told when the Roman soldier speared the side of Jesus out flowed blood and water. What was not seen then but realised later was from the pierced side came the Church. Every–time a marriage was to be celebrated it was to point to this eternal, majestic and spiritual meaning.



Fifty years of knowing the meaning of marriage



Also, when Adam and Eve came together in sexual intercourse it portrayed oneness, a unique wholeness. The beauty, the wonder, the mystery of marriage is expressed in this physical act. For in this union the man and the woman in their body, soul and spirit become ‘one flesh’. This is the reason the scriptures so oppose pre–marital or extra–marital relationships. The ‘oneness’ is debased, dishonoured and disfigured morally, spiritually, emotionally.

The mystery and the magic of marriage have been vandalised. Its beauty and meaning weakened, broken and trivialised over an extended period. The Christian Church must take its share of the blame. It has failed to teach the significance of the mystery of Marriage. Rejection of the Genesis account has cast marriage adrift from its moorings.

Into this void has rushed a whole bunch of unchristian ideas and practices. It began taking fidelity in marriage lightly and loosely. De–facto relationships and adultery spread from celebrity pastimes to a common practice. Along comes modern science with a real boon for marital couples, contraceptives. Sex lost one of its ‘dangers’ that of becoming pregnant. Sex education was mandated to be taught in schools. Result! Sexuality aroused without boundaries. The urge to experiment becomes almost overwhelming. Before long why wait for a civil or religious wedding service, let’s live together anyway. It isn’t any longer a husband and a wife relationship, they’re ‘partners’ a business arrangement. All this paves the ‘vandal road’ for recognition of same sex relationships.



Devotional book on Marriage.



People call it marriage because they have no idea of the meaning or mystery undergirding that term. Even evolution would hide its face from that term for evolution is concerned with the continuation of the species. This is something so called ‘gay marriages’ cannot produce. How long before society accepts multiple partners and other forms of living together and vainly, falsely calling it marriage?

Christians can wring their hands in horror at the state of marriage. They may write and protest but are they living out the meaning, majesty and beauty of the biblical definition of marriage? The early church faced bigger obstacles than we do in more areas than simply marriage. Its view of marriage and morality ultimately won the day. How? By living out their faith and by being different from the rest of pagan society! For many it was at great cost but it was counted a privilege to pay for the cause of Christ Jesus. Perhaps that is something we might have to expect and to do.

Questions God Asks. #1.

God’s First Recorded Question

We can be so busy asking questions of God and about God that we fail to hear the questions He is asking us. The very first question is found in Genesis 3:9: The Lord called to the man (Adam), and said to him, “Where are you?”

 

Why would the Almighty do that? Does God have poor vision? Is it possible for any of us to hide from Him? Surely the Lord God knew where  Adam was and what had happened, so why the question?

As you read the account it becomes apparent the searching out by God and the seeking question was for Adam’s sake. Here was his chance to come clean, take responsibility and own up to what he had done. Instead of that Adam tries to explain his and Eve’s situation by blaming her. Then she blames the Serpent.

Humans are a funny bunch. As Adam and Eve tried hiding their nakedness with fig leaves, we do the same with the spiritual/moral equivalents. Trouble arises when we hear within our heart and mind the searching, questioning voice of God. We experience dread. The very first time we read of fear is in this account. What we sew together by our own efforts will never stop the penetrating gaze of the Lord. Isaiah 64:6 reveals how we really see ourselves when God calls out and our ‘leaves’ unravel. ‘We have all become like one unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.’

Within Society are those who seek to promote nakedness as a life style. The problem is the so called body beautiful falls apart with wear, tear and age. It needs covering for appearance sake, for comfort sake and for self respect. That which is true physically applies to the spiritual. Our opinions of our goodness when honestly assessed sag, slip and shame us. How can we stand before the questioning God in our self righteous garment of leaves or be bold in our nakedness?

“Adam, where are you” is God’s way of calling you (as the Adam of Genesis) to be truthful about your rebellion. It is also a plea to accept your inadequate protection from the mire of ungodly actions and attitudes you have fallen into. In the Genesis account you will notice that the Lord God provided a covering for the man and woman. In a similar though spiritual manner He has provided covering for you and anyone who is prepared to step out of their ‘leaves’ and cover their nakedness.

There is much to be said about how God did this. Simply put it involved Jesus Christ, the cross and the resurrection. Now the Lord offers you, me, anyone a good spiritual and moral cleansing and new garments acceptable through all eternity. This is Heaven’s designer label. It bears the brand ‘Christ Jesus, Lord and Saviour.’ Galatians 3:26-27 invites you into Heaven’s fitting room to be properly dressed for ever and a day. ‘In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.

 

How do you know when the Lord is asking you that question? If you are feeling a little uneasy about your standing in His presence at this moment, then He is calling you. Reveal yourself to Him. Claim His mercy and ask to be clothed eternally in Christ Jesus’ righteousness. You will never need feel naked again or hide behind the leaves of fading self effort.

(Ray (eternally dressed in Christ Jesus) Hawkins

RACISM: It's a Belief Issue.

Why the Bible is Important - to me. #11

RACISM. It’s a Belief Issue!

Its ugly head was recently raised in a few football games in Australia. Politicians are passing laws against it. No country is free from it.  ‘IT’ of course is racial vilification.

Racism goes beyond a liking or disliking another person. We all have those feelings. Racism however doesn’t treat the man or woman with different coloured skin or cultural heritage as a person to like or dislike. Such an attitude of the mind expressed through words or actions considers him or her as an ‘it’, inferior and infectious.



women dancing in Zambia
welcoming Aussie team



Passing laws will not change the heart and mind. This is especially true when from an early age children are taught the theory of evolution. This creates the impression that some races are superior to others. Combine such teaching with envy of another culture’s achievements, unfortunate experiences with unscrupulous people of different origins and a jihad hatred of a particular country, racial discrimination breeds.

This is another reason why the Bible is so important not only to me, but to all. In it we discover how the Lord God created one man and one woman, Adam and Eve, and through them all the races of the world. Whether we like it or not, we are all related. We are all of one blood as the apostle Paul told the Athenians on Mars Hill as recorded in Acts 17.

More than that the Bible tells every one of us that we all have sinned and fallen short of the Creator’s standard. That ‘Fall’ had and continues to have serious consequences on our outlook on life. Inwardly we are corrupt even when we are being nice outwardly. The great news of the Bible proclaims our Creator God has provided a cleansing of and a control system for our darkened hearts and minds. That is the testimony of the cross of Jesus Christ. He died for all men and women across all time. Jesus is not a racist. He is colour blind. He deals with the heart issues. He knows we are all infected with the same sinful nature.

When any person from any culture accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour He bestows on them His righteousness and gives them of His Holy Spirit. This makes them family. Each is either a brother or sister to the other believer. Lest you think a Christian can then look down on a non Christian, think again. Jesus actually tells us to love them, pray for them and remember they are of the same human stock as you.

 

The Bible is the only book that treats humans as equal and unique. That is why it is important to us all. Racism is a belief system which only a different belief system will overpower. It will not come from evolutionary theory. It will not be found in Islam. It cannot be dictated to by Governments. Only an acceptance of the teaching of the Bible and a submission to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour will overcome the ‘IT’ called racism.

Ray (a descendent of Adam and Eve) Hawkins

Mystery and Meaning in Marriage

The Importance of the Bible to me #5.

I'd like to share with you where the mystery and meaning of Marriage originated. Because of so called 'equality of marriage for same sex couples (and possible other implications) it is important to understand what undergirds the relationship betrween a man and a woman in matrimony.

The Symbolism of Marriage



Our wedding day, Toowoomba



Read Genesis 2:18-24.

            Moses must have heard it wrong. Either that, or God was playing a trick on him. In the Genesis reading it says Adam gave ‘birth’, as it were, through ‘surgery’ to Eve. We know birth is the prerogative of the woman. Moses knew it also. Why then would he write down what seems to be an absurd statement? More than that, it has become an integral part of Scripture?

            The problem is compounded, if possible, by the Apostle Paul. “Man did not come from woman, but woman from man” (1 Corinthians 11:8). He stresses this again in 1Timothy 2:13: “Adam was formed first, then Eve.”

            We know these men were not fools. They were not trying to be funny either. The Bible is a serious book promoting important issues with eternal consequences. Why then would this biologically impossible explanation of Adam giving birth, through surgery, to Eve be stated – twice and implied once?

            Why? Because the Lord God was making a prophetic statement as well as a romantic one concerning marriage. He was also elevating and protecting the idea and the ideal which underpins the marriage.

             Because people do not believe, or understand, or bother to find out what Moses and Paul meant, its meaning has been lost. Probably it isn’t the people's fault but that of the priests and ministers. Such ignorance lies behind the ease of living together without commitment and the leaving each other without regret.          

             The symbolism of marriage is designed by the Triune God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, to point to something awesome. Adam is used also as a type or shadow of Jesus who is called the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). The first Adam had his bride taken out of his side. When Jesus, the second Adam, died on the cross His side was pierced. This was a physical act used by the Lord God to give birth to the Church. The significance of this is also traced back to Eden. For when Adam saw Eve he recognized the fact that she was bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. In their sexual union they completed the God intended oneness once again.

            When the Lord Jesus gave birth to the Church her DNA came from Him.  The Church isn’t bone of His bone, flesh of His flesh. She is spirit of His Spirit and eternal by His eternity. By faith we believe the Church is betrothed to the Creator and Lord. According to Revelation 19:7-8, there is a set day when all of Creation will witness a true marriage made in Heaven: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready! Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.” The Church’s garment is said to represent the righteous acts of those who constitute the Church.

            Herein dwells the mystery of marriage. Read the wonderful description of Christ’s love for the Church; Ephesians 5:25-27: ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind – yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish.’

            Without this Biblical understanding the only significance marriage has is according to the decrees of the country in which a couple ‘tie the knot’. Unbelief and rejection of God’s word robs the ceremony of its mystery. It has no foundation on which to exist. It has no future to which it points. It offers no sound reason for faithfulness within marriage. This was a problem with which Corinthian converts out of paganism has. Robbed of its spiritual significance there isn’t any surprise in the way society has downgraded this beautiful ceremony and testimony (1 Corinthians 6:12-20).

            For Christians Jesus is the supreme teacher and authority. What He said goes! The religious leaders of His day tried to snare Him in a doctrinal issue about divorce. Jesus simply pointed them to the Genesis account. “Haven’t you read, he replied, that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one” (Matthew 19:4-6).

            In this statement Jesus adds another beautiful dimension to the significance of marriage. What was He referring to when He said the two become one? The account of God bringing Eve from out of the side of Adam and then becoming one again in the embrace of love! Within this framework can be found the reason why the Scriptures stress the importance of marriage from a Christian framework. Here is the Biblical reason why same sex marriage isn’t Christian. There can be no ‘one flesh’ principle. There isn’t any mystery surrounding such a relationship which points to a higher reality. Same sex relationships cannot fulfil the mandate to bear children (Genesis 1:28.)

            Before there were any Denominations the apostles urged Christians only to marry a Christian. Why? Not for biological or racial reasons. It was because of the spiritual understanding of what marriage was all about. Every time a Christian marriage takes place there is a witness given to the World. It speaks about what God did in the Garden of Eden, what will happen in the future, and the awesome implications of two becoming one. It also stresses the Gospel story of the cross and the spiritual reality to which it points. This is true for all believers, married or single.

           

This is a chapter with some added material from my devotional book ‘From Eden with Love.’ It is available from Christian bookshops or by contacting me at

ray.haw3819@bigpond.com 

You can see my other books on rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au