As I looked at the layered request of Esther; at first, I thought: “Isn’t it just like a woman; to make the man wait for fulfillment?” And, as I reviewed that thought, I was visited by another thought–indeed, layering is powerful. So, it seems that; actually, I am okay with the thought that, there is nothing wrong with that approach to motivating men. Sometimes, a man needs a brake of his thought vehicle; to allow him to take a good look at the benefit that is in his midst. This need, for a brake, is not limited to individuals; it also applies to larger things. In the life of a certain prophet, he described this necessary brake for this larger thing: the rapidly transforming morals and ethics of the congregation of Israel.
In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?
them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
(Isaiah 28:5-11)
Layered presentation is also one of the guiding principles of the field of education. Textbooks are designed to build basic principles, first; and then, to build on those basic principles. The art of parenting, too, uses layered presentations, as set in its more useful form of, layered correction. As the LORD God was manifesting His Fatherhood, He applied layered correction over an even larger thing than the congregation of Israel. In an even larger expression over the world, the LORD used a form of layered correction. However, in the LORD’S correction there, there is a heavy seasoning of layered discipline. Often, this was a significant distance away from tender correction. We see that layering, here.
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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Seven –