The Vessel Project

Ladies Bible Study:  Seeing Through the Lies
Chapter Three

This weeks lesson was on making time for the important things and on the subject of feminism. After reviewing the questions at the end of the chapter and the additional discussion questions, we began our study.

A lively discussion arose from Vonda Skelton’s revised Proverbs 31 (rewriting it as if it were for men).  The point being that the Proverbs 31 woman is picture of perfection. No one woman could be all things in that chapter no more than any man.

Wrapping up last week, I raised the issue that was left in my mind in our discussion of Titus 2, especially verse 5, which instructs us as women …

‘To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.’

Let’s look at a few other versions…

“… so that no one will malign the word of God.” – NIV
“… that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited).” – AMP
“… that they will not bring shame on the word of God.” NLT
“… that the word of God may not be reviled.” ESV
‘… no one can say insulting things about God’s message.” CEV
“… so that God’s message will not be slandered.” HCSB
“… so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” NASB

We tabled this idea to continue with this week’s study, but these verses which plainly state that if we as wives are NOT self-control, NOT modest, NOT good homemakers, NOT good-natured, NOT adaptive or submissive to our husbands – if we are any of these NOT’s – we blaspheme the Word (the Jesus) of God.

That is pretty tough and something we left for personal reflection in order to move on to the study in Chapter Three. It will be interesting to see how the Holy Spirit searches the hearts of the Ladies Bible Study group to reconcile our behavior to Titus 2:5.

Prior to the class, I did some research on feminism from its origins to present day.  I reported what I’d learned when I considered the feminist core issue of ‘equal rights’  on one hand and what I read in James 5.  The comparison was quite interesting.

Hear what God tells us about those we work for who do not pay us a fair wage (regardless of gender)…

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.  You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; and he does not resist you.
- James 5:1-6 (NASB)

Sounds to me like the wages your boss does unfairly withholds from you – this undisclosed amount of money – has a voice.   It is very similar to the blood of Abel that cried out to God from the ground after Cain murdered him.

What’s even more enlightening is that God further says (v4) that Jesus (the LORD of the Sabaoth – Matthew 12:8)  has heard you when you brought the issue to Him in prayer.

Retribution is coming to these task masters, but there is one condition. Read the last four words from the James passage – ‘…he does not resist you.‘

This means that to militantly demand a thing is counterproductive.  If we choose to fight a battle, God will certainly let us. But, if we read James 5 and we simply believe it, well – God can affect much more ‘corrective’ measures that the feminist movement ever dreamed of.

Doesn’t that leave you with a peace? Can’t you now go your job with a quiet confidence knowing that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the most high God has got your back?

That’s all for this week. If you would like to read the research I found on feminism, find it HERE.  If you’ve labeled yourself as a feminist, you might want to read up on the subject.

Check back next week as we continue to ‘unmask the lies women believe.’