These matriarchal women, Eve and Sarah, have a portion of their stories that is very challenging and controversial. So be patient as we build the formations of the depth of the thought.
Lets start with the end first. The goal is to look beyond our gifting as women. To look beyond our positions, roles, responsibilities and to see how the enemy can use the beautiful talents God has given us, (basically to multitask like a pro), and take a step back and wait to hear from Holy Spirit about each and every thing. I place the goal first because this is not a bashing toward women, but instead an invitation to go deeper with the LORD and to wait for His direction and His leading. Sometimes we just need to be silent before the Lord and listen for the still small voice. And wait before we do any action!
To illustrate the importance of that and to go deeper lets examine two points of history.
The point where Eve decided that “the tree was good for FOOD, and it was a delight to the EYES, and that the tree was to be desired to make one WISE, she took of its fruit and she ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her and he ate.” Genesis 3:6esv
And the place where Sarai made a decision also. And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” Genesis 16:2esv
A women’s gift as a help-meet and nurturer is enhanced by her values. Her values can either support her husband or they can bring consequence to the home which she is placed in. Both Eve and Sarai, made their decision based on their roles as nurturers. Good for food, childbearing, a delight to the eyes and to even make one wise. These are all gifts that are built into us to help provide for our husbands and family. Eve and Sarai saw that these things where good. How many times have we seen something to be good – and although it may present one obstacle, we weigh the consequence with scales where the good seems to outweigh the bad.
But here is the kicker- we think we know! And we don’t know! Did Eve expect that her action would have plunged humanity into darkness – no! She saw that it was good! Did Sarai know that her choice would bring forth such consequence in the earth today? No- she determined her actions to be good. Both quickly regreted what they did, both did not see that outcome.
We do need to mention here that Adam and Abraham both gave into their wives. But I want to ask, how many times had that previously happened where their husbands did not feel like they had a voice in certain areas of their home? Where they given the honor and respect of having a voice? Because their voice matters and it matters a whole lot.
Lets bring this into a present day scenario. For Example, we have God fearing parents who have boundaries. Ones that they feel that the Lord has placed on their home to provide a safe and secure home to raise their family. And its current day with cell phones and the challenges in the culture. And the daughter is talking with her mother about going out for a sleepover with her girlfriend. But before the sleepover, her friend is going to have a party at her house. The mother who has her eyes set on nurturing – which brings good feelings to her husband and children – is not in conflict with this plan. She sees her daughter happy and she herself is taking delight in the experience. Mom says it is good – why shouldn’t she go and experience this good? Dad on the other hand understands the boundaries the Holy Spirit has placed on the home and this breaches the boundary. He does not feel a peace about it. He momentarily voices his concern and the mother says to him, just let her go – or in her nurturing style -“look she is so happy!” The father also does not want to make his child unhappy and he goes along with it. The girl goes to the party which ends up being something completely different then what the parents where told and the consequences are devastating.
We all know this story and have seen the rendition of the end of it portrayed in several different conclusions. The daughter comes home pregnant, addicted to drugs, in a car accident. Even something more sinister like they play a demonically spiritual game and the child opens a door to things that effect her for the rest of her life. Basically, its a watershed moment for the daughters life – nothing is ever the same again.
Now we could as easily role reversed this and said it was the father who gave in, not the mother. However, the above example had a history of tolerances that had occurred prior to the main event. In other words, the enemy had worked the long game to ensure that this event would take place. We also need to reflect on the examples in scripture here are specifically given through the role of a female. We need to be aware of our giftings, our needs and our roles. We need to consistently be in prayer, especially in these days. We need to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit and our husbands because they are our covering and they can see things that we can’t.
I want to say here that as women, we also need each other. We thrive in community. We can share our stories with one another. Find a few women and begin a prayer group. Bake bread together. – But before you do submit the time to the LORD, be ever so watchful of what you say – even plan things to talk about that would honor the LORD, your husbands and each other. Be vigilant, Be the Victor because the Victor lives inside of you!