413. There stands a mysterious prophecy, relating to woman which no scholar who accepts the rabbinical view as to the inferior rank of woman in the divine economy is capable of understanding or interpreting. The guesses at its meaning would fill a considerable niche in a museum of literary curiosities. We refer to Jer. 31:22, which is translated: “How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.” …
We suggest this rendering: How long wilt thou keep turning away, O thou turning away daughter? for the Lord hath created [something] new in the earth, Female will lead male about. In other words, it seems God’s design that the “new woman” in Christ Jesus, shall no more “turn away,” as did Eve, to her husband, but remaining loyal to God alone, and true to her destiny as the mother of that Seed,¾both the literal, Jesus, and the mystical Christ, the Church,¾shall lead man about,¾out of the wilderness of the inefficiency of egotism into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For, who shall specially conquer Satan, if not the sex to whom God gave the honor from the beginning of being in eternal enmity against Satan, in the promise, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman?” But woman must be truly meek to fulfill this her promised destiny.[2]
414. But none of God’s promises are the mere reading of fate. That which God promises will never be fulfilled excepting to those who seize the promise. God overrides no human will. But as woman has passed through a long night of travail to bring forth the sons of men on earth, so shall God render to her double for all she has undeservedly suffered through the cruelty and slight and disrespect of man, by giving her a very large share in the work of saving the world through the preaching of the Gospel, if woman will not despise her birthright.
LORD, I pray that you would make me truly meek that I may fulfill my promised destiny!
A wife has responsibility and authority to speak into the life of her husband. I have been stuck on Lesson 53 for a month (and haven’t posted). I have read over and over, meditated, prayed. I find “meekness” elusive. I know it is not weakness. I wonder if it is sometimes angry?
The straw that broke the camel’s back…
[...] Katharine Bushnell writes it seems God’s design that the “new woman” in Christ Jesus, shall no more “turn away,” as did Eve, to her husband, but remaining loyal to God alone, and true to her destiny as the mother of that Seed,- both the literal, Jesus, and the mystical Christ, the Church, – shall lead man about,- out of the wilderness of the inefficiency of egotism into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For, who shall specially conquer Satan, if not the sex to whom God gave the honor from the beginning of being in eternal enmity against Satan, in the promise, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman?” But woman must be truly meek to fulfill this her promised destiny [...]
Indeed, meekness as the Bible teaches is a word to ponder. I once heard a preacher say, in reference to teaching meekness, “The church has made whimps out of most of the men in the church.” “But not women, right?” I would have liked to ask him.
My best shot, meekness is an attitude, and therefore a meek person can do many diverse actions and still be meek. Like everything else, it starts with love: ‘Love is not puffed up…” God is my King, all people are my equals. If I encourage, it must be out of love and prompting of the Holy Spirit and not fear of the one I encourage. If I rebuke, it must be in love and prompting of the Holy Spirit and not anger at the one I rebuke.
Welcome Truth Davar.
Thanks for your insightful comments.:)
Properly functioning, the church should be making men and women Christlike. HIS character reflects meekness, (and Jesus is definitely NOT weak or “wimpy”). I’m afraid my experience with the church has demonstrated impotency with respect to transforming the ONE Christian man who is the most important to ME.
Church –> impotent,
GOD –> OMNIPOTENT!
I still have hope…