Timeless Beauty
1 Peter 3:5-6 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Submissiveness is the most attractive feature of a woman, even to ungodly men. This is particularly true today when it is so rare. Outward beauty fades. That is inevitable. But this is not necessarily true of inward beauty—that of a meek and quiet spirit. But again there is no guarantee that these also will not become corrupted if one doesn’t take care. For the world can easily influence and corrupt Christians, both men and women, molding them into feminists. But a meek and quiet spirit makes a woman of great value, especially in the sight of God. God is looking for a few godly women to influence both the Christian culture and the world’s values. But be forewarned—if you practice submission, you will be persecuted by the rebellious. Other women will make fun of you. Feminists will treat you with contempt. But you will find honour among the godly.
While many today in the feminist culture in which we live dismiss instructions given Christian women in name of ‘culture’, saying “that was then, this is now”, in fact the Bible instructs us that this principle of the subordination of wives is timeless. There’s an inherent ugliness of women who are characteristically rebellious towards their husbands, disrespecting them, and wives who subject their husbands to public humiliation. Conversely, when the role relationships are reversed—as they are largely today—when women rule over their husbands, what do we learn from the historic precedents? “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life” Genesis 3:17. And to what might we attribute the Arab-Israeli conflict but Sarah’s failure to live up to godliness but she instructed her husband, “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai” Genesis 16:2.
Isaiah prophecies, “Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path” Isaiah 3:12. Children learn rebelliousness when they see their mother rebelling against their father. Feminist mothers, by their example, teach their children to be rebellious. But as was the case in Isaiah’s time, it is so today. For those who have marginalized their Christian lives by complying with the demands of the feminist culture in which we live, “Your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path”. There are even Church leaders and husbands who lead their subordinates astray on this matter.
Insecurity is often a source of rebelliousness among women. Submission requires allowing someone else to be in charge. But today’s women tend to be trained by the world to have a contemptuous attitude towards their husbands. Thus, if they think their husbands are incompetent fools, then submitting to incompetent fools is not only humiliating, but threatens their security.
The remedy therefore is to learn to obey them as unto the Lord, for it is God’s commandment that we do so. It is not always easy to obey and submit to one who is seemingly incapable. It takes a willingness to subject oneself to another’s way. Much wisdom and courage are needed on the woman’s part to understand and appreciate God’s law and arrangements. For without submission of the heart, it is hard to follow their Master’s footsteps. The Lord subjected Himself to the rough and unjust treatment of this world which He came to save. The reason and motivation were that He loved His own, even those who often disappointed Him in their walk.
The beauty of women is this timeless principle, which is to trust in God, by being in subjection to their husband. This is the mark of a holy woman, as noted by the apostle Peter.
U is for Understanding Urged
Yesterday, 30 January, Saturday, many of Tabernacle’s brethren and children spent a profitable morning and part of the afternoon at the premises of Berean BP Church (at Foch Road) studying end-times prophecies with reference to Revelation.
It was our annual Bible Seminar. The speaker was Dr Jeffrey Khoo. He came to us after a week’s of trial, visibly relieved that the court case hearing was over and is now waiting on the Lord for His will to be done. Dr Khoo began our session by expounding on Matthew 24, reminding us of the signs of the Lord’s return. The latest horrendous earthquake at Haiti should cause discerning believers to halt for a while to consider what they are doing for the Lord in view of His imminent return!
Our programme ran like this~
9.15-10am—breakfast;
10am-11.45am—Part 1;
11.45-12.45pm—Lunch;
12.45-2pm—Part 2 (end).
The chairman, Brother Tengyan, took up this duty with no hesitation when asked. He led us in singing ‘Thy Word is like a Garden, Lord’, ‘Thy Word have I Hid in my Heart’, ‘Study to Show Thyself Approved unto God’ and ’When Jesus Comes to Reward His Servants’. Truly,
“O may I love Thy precious Word,
may I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean,
may light upon me shine!
O may I find my armour there!
Thy Word my trusty sword,
I’ll learn to fight with every foe
the battle of the Lord.”
The food i/c was Mrs Ho. She fed us breakfast brought from CCK. Lunch—chicken rice or wanton noodles—was bought from Lavender. Deaconess Sock Pheng took care of the hot beverages quench our thirst and perk us up.
Brother Boon How had the arduous task of driving the van. Thank God for strength and safety. In fact, he began his service for the Bible Seminar even before yesterday when he did the sign-up for this event a fortnight ago.
The children had their share of learning God’s Word from Sister Kimhoa. Most importantly, Pastor Ho contacted Berean BP Church to rent their premises and invited Dr Khoo to be our speaker.
Thank God for other helping hands, as well as a refreshing time of learning and re-learning God’s timeless and timely truths.
Sister Meemee