Life Learning Series

As relates to understated influence, there is another positive attribute that must be set in with it: when we are in the position of confidence that allows us to know we have a place of influence; we must also be temperate in our projection of that influence. In that respect, I am reminded of the temperance that Sarah showed, in her yielding to this situation.

And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

(Genesis 20:1-2)

Surely, Sarah knew that she was a potent part of the house of Abraham; but, even so, Sarah was also called to a place of direction by her husband, as set in the will of the LORD. I know that this is somewhat contrary to the modern time; but, we are not in the modern time, here. Please view this as being a consistent behavior for women of that day. Actually, it is not much different, in spirit, as is the willingness of some women of today, in adopting compromising business practices, as directed by a boss. Even in such situations, there may be a door for the LORD to enter the compromise. In Sarah’s situation, the door opened as follows:

 

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Four –

For much of my youth in the church, it was commonly accepted that, the group, women, was the prominent force in the church. This was of interest to me because; in that day, in general, the male was the public face of the church. In that day, the place of the male, as being the face of the church, was certified by reference to this Scripture.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

(Genesis 3:16)

As applying that Scripture to society, as for the modern married woman of the church; that burden for woman was in line with the following passage of Scripture.

 

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Three –

We would like to think that all non-mating situations would be absent a consideration of physical attributes. This would allow for proper assessment of our associates; such as in performing selection as based on the merit of the soul and spirit. This is especially necessary for situations that are elections to service to the LORD. Surely, this is a weighting criterion in subsequent assessment of faithful performance of the assigned mission. As pertains to the former consideration–selection for service to the LORD–any assessment of fitness for duty needs to be done in a fashion that is such as we see, here.

And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.

And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

(1 Samuel 16:4-7)

Of course, we will still need to work our way through a process of evaluation, of some sorts. This is the standard interview situation, as one narrows the candidate list. The time that it is of greatest pressure on us is when it involves a single position that must be filled. Samuel was in that type of interview, here.

 

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part Two –

In the Hebrew culture, it may seem that the woman was given a backseat to the man: this is not, at all, true. I think it has more to do with the physical dimensions of the average woman, as compared to the average man. This was evident in the fact that; the men were called upon to go to war, whereas, initially, the women were not.

And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

(Numbers 1:1-4)

In the life of Abraham, the important place of the woman was clearly evident. To see this; please, look at the driving force in the inheritance that Abraham was able to accumulate on several levels. The first level of accumulation of inheritance is; the blessing that is children. The importance of this level is highlighted in the following Scripture.

 

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Part One –

Women have a special place in service industries–such as, restaurant service–because their souls were crafted to provide nutrition. When we say, provide nutrition, we are not speaking of obtaining food; for, that is the place that the LORD designated for the man.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19)In large measure, the woman’s designated place is this: to take the sustenance that is brought to them, and to prepare it as a consumable, life enhancing addition to the kingdom of man. Please note that, the words, in large measure, allow for inclusion of certain men; such as, among the master chefs and military cooks, for instance. Yes, for the woman, this goes far beyond food stuffs. For the woman, she also spread her skills to this, the most publicly recognized place of service of the woman . . . which Adam declared, as follows, as he announced Eve . . .

 

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– Explore Election to Serve – Delicately: Overview –