Kingdom Man: Rule
- Get link
- Other Apps
Man, the crown of God’s creation, is God’s representative on earth. As such man is to have dominion over creation; however, since man’s relationship with God was broken by sin, the dominion of man (i.e., his “rule”) is altered. For example, God gave every tree of the garden (with one exception) as prepared food. Since man sinned and his ruler is changed, man must now prepare his own food (see Genesis 3:17-19).
One aspect of man’s rulership is problematic for many because the woman is told, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16) Presupposition concerning what it means for man to rule wrecks the text; but, it also proves the point.
First, notice that childbirth was already painful. Since the fall, the pain will be multiplied.
Second, the desire of a man’s wife is for her husband. The weight of the Hebrew is less-nice. Kiel and Delitzch help us out with “run after with violent craving for her husband.” Think: “desire bordering on disease.”
Here is the tough part: “he shall rule over you.” What does that mean? If man is to rule over creation, is man to treat his woman like a cow or a field? Hardly. “Rule” here does not mean the woman has no say-so. The word includes the sense of protection against her own hurt. Consider Numbers 30:6-8:
“If she marries a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself, and her husband hears of it and says nothing to her on the day that he hears, then her vows shall stand, and her pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. But if, on the day that her husband comes to hear of it, he opposes her, then he makes void her vow that was on her, and the thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she bound herself. And the LORD will forgive her.”
Another way of understanding this meaning is to return to the old definition of “rule,” which means “to set a pattern.” He is to be a guide, provide direction—which means the man must know the standard or which direction in which to go.
I can’t help but think of a strange event that occurred in the life of Abram and his wife, Sarai (see Genesis 12). A famine drove this couple into Egypt and while there, Abram sensed an upcoming problem (his wife was a beautiful woman). He instructed her that if anyone should ask, to say that she is Abram’s sister (in other words: lie). Sure enough, Pharaoh caught the news of this beautiful woman in town and took her into his own house and treated Abram well by lavishing him with treasures. Then something happened: “the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17). Needless to say, Pharaoh’s men sent them away.
While I can’t help but notice the foreshadowing of plagues on the Big House (which is the literal translation of “Pharaoh”—future generations: beware!), this is not the only point of the passage. Abram provided unwise direction to his wife. Instead of guiding her in truth, they conspired in a lie (I believe their being “sent away” was an understatement—**wink, wink**).
When a man is walking in fellowship with the Lord, he saturates Himself in truth. When the man guides his wife (who, incidentally is burning for him), he cleanses her by washing with the Word (Ephesians 5:25-33). The rule of man over his wife is not ham-fisted bullying, but discipleship built on mutual trust of each other in the Lord.
One aspect of man’s rulership is problematic for many because the woman is told, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you shall bring forth children; yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16) Presupposition concerning what it means for man to rule wrecks the text; but, it also proves the point.
First, notice that childbirth was already painful. Since the fall, the pain will be multiplied.
Second, the desire of a man’s wife is for her husband. The weight of the Hebrew is less-nice. Kiel and Delitzch help us out with “run after with violent craving for her husband.” Think: “desire bordering on disease.”
Here is the tough part: “he shall rule over you.” What does that mean? If man is to rule over creation, is man to treat his woman like a cow or a field? Hardly. “Rule” here does not mean the woman has no say-so. The word includes the sense of protection against her own hurt. Consider Numbers 30:6-8:
“If she marries a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself, and her husband hears of it and says nothing to her on the day that he hears, then her vows shall stand, and her pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. But if, on the day that her husband comes to hear of it, he opposes her, then he makes void her vow that was on her, and the thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she bound herself. And the LORD will forgive her.”
Another way of understanding this meaning is to return to the old definition of “rule,” which means “to set a pattern.” He is to be a guide, provide direction—which means the man must know the standard or which direction in which to go.
I can’t help but think of a strange event that occurred in the life of Abram and his wife, Sarai (see Genesis 12). A famine drove this couple into Egypt and while there, Abram sensed an upcoming problem (his wife was a beautiful woman). He instructed her that if anyone should ask, to say that she is Abram’s sister (in other words: lie). Sure enough, Pharaoh caught the news of this beautiful woman in town and took her into his own house and treated Abram well by lavishing him with treasures. Then something happened: “the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17). Needless to say, Pharaoh’s men sent them away.
While I can’t help but notice the foreshadowing of plagues on the Big House (which is the literal translation of “Pharaoh”—future generations: beware!), this is not the only point of the passage. Abram provided unwise direction to his wife. Instead of guiding her in truth, they conspired in a lie (I believe their being “sent away” was an understatement—**wink, wink**).
When a man is walking in fellowship with the Lord, he saturates Himself in truth. When the man guides his wife (who, incidentally is burning for him), he cleanses her by washing with the Word (Ephesians 5:25-33). The rule of man over his wife is not ham-fisted bullying, but discipleship built on mutual trust of each other in the Lord.
Popular posts from this blog
“Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?”
July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors
A Sonnet
“My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn? Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the fame, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse. Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse Why should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Wh
Welcome, May!
The past few weeks have been stressful. Training new employees, dealing with difficult customers, not sleeping well, not exercising (I’ve gained 20 pounds in the last two years), getting through family drama (two life-threatening events in the same day, 2000 miles apart: my dad’s heart attack in NM and a 9 year grandchild starting the rest of his life with Type 1 Diabetes) . . . My CrossFit lifestyle withered into oblivion when I lost my job at the University in 2020, as Covid got going. Deep depression brought me to a standstill as I took a few months to try to reset. Since then, my physical status has been on steady decline. Now my daily schedule looks something like this: Work 3-11 pm (on a good day), Go to bed at 4 am, get up between 10:30 am and noon, get booted up and go back to work. If I get one day off a week I’m fortunate. At least I don’t have to work all night for now. That was the worst. So I haven’t had time or energy to do much, even read, much less write. And since my