This is a partial reply to the comment made by my reader, Scott Fogg, regarding the article titled, “The Church in The Bible: The Only 100% True Church.” In the first part of his comment, Scott wrote the following —
“I’m confused. If Esther, as Queen, was not a leader, what do you consider her? She was, by rank and title, a nation’s leader, was she not? Was she not the one that Mordecai went to, to bend the ear of the king, to save the Jews from slaughter? Did she not lead others in prayer?
Moreover, it does not seem God would discriminate indiscriminately. I seem to recall a time when He even enlisted in the help of a mule to talk one of His prophets into doing his will. Now, I don’t think it’s God’s M.O. to appoint animals into leadership positions, but He always seems to use those that are willing and able. So if God can and will talk through a donkey, why would He not send a vision to a woman? For that is all we claim Ellen White to be or have been, a prophet — one who received a direct, divine message…”
Dear Scott,
There is a saying that, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Esther is not a leader, but an influential figure to Mordecai, the chief minister of King Ahasuerus, and to the King himself. She is neither a prophetess as Seventh Day Adventists claim for Ellen G. White.
Understanding the Bible in its context will teach you that women are not intended to be leaders of God’s people. Consider the following reasons —
Throughout the history of God’s people, the Israelites, it is God’s will that His chosen nation or people be perpetually led by a man.
(I King 9:5) “Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.”
(I King 8:25) “Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.”
(II Chronicles 6:16) “Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.”
(Jeremiah 33:17) “For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;”
Such a principle applied to the people of God in the New Testament times.
(I Timothy 2:11-14) “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
Consider the rationale for the creation of the woman.
(Genesis 2:18) “And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.”
(I Corinthians 11:9-10) “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.”
By this, God does not “indiscriminately discriminate” women. He is just standing by His principle and the original idea of creation. This was understood by the authorities of the New Testament.
(I Corinthians 14:34) “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”
In the Church of God, we have high esteem and respect for our women brethren but, we stand by the divine principle outlined by God in the Bible, and respect God above our women.
There are collateral realities to consider. Women have caused the fall of some of the great men of God in the Bible. Adam, the best example was convinced by Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Solomon was separated from God by his women. Samson fell prey to the Philistines through Delilah.
(Ecclesiastes 7:26) “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”
There are also prophetic realities to consider —
(Isaiah 3:12) “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.”
Just the thought of a woman leading God’s people spells destruction.
(Jeremiah 51:30) “The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwelling places; her bars are broken.”
For God’s will to be fulfilled that His people or chosen nation be led perpetually by a man, He proclaimed the coming of an eternal leader in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Isaiah 9:6) “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Remember, as promised by God, the throne of David will be ruled by men, not by any chance, a woman!
(I King 9:5) “Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.”
I welcome your notion that God has the right to use those that are willing and able to be instruments in making His will be known unto people; but I am sorry that you gave a wrong example when you mentioned that a mule was used by God to speak to one of His prophets. For your information, Balaam is not a prophet of God, neither was the mule willing and able, because animals were not given the free will like men to be willing to obey God. They are always subjective to God’s will, whether they like it or not.
(Jude 1:11) “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.”
FYI, Balaam is a Mesopotamian prophet for hire! He is not an Israelite, whose home was Pethor, near the Euphrates River in Northern Mesopotamia.
It would have been better if you used —
(Luke 19:40) “And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Even stones can be made by God to cry out or to speak of God’s will, but that is only if the Apostles will “hold their peace” and keep silent.
See the point?
(To be continued)
God Bless,
EFS