the world hates women

In the circles I frequent, I hear lots of criticism of feminism - and plenty of it is deserved. However, it disturbs me that the blame for women not embracing their Scriptural role is laid solely on the door of feminism, i.e. other women. Now, of course feminism plays its part. However, why does feminism exist in the first place? I believe it is because countless men refuse to step up to the plate and value women.

“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)

Woah. Hold on there. 'So nothing will hinder your prayers'? YHVH considers the treatment of women so important that the prayers of men who do not honour their wives will be hindered. That is huge, huge stuff. Sadly, you don't have to look far to see examples of that not happening. Husbands who beat their wives, fathers who sell their daughters into sexual slavery, boyfriends who pressure girlfriends into having abortions, sons who talk disrespectfully to their mothers with their fathers not doing a thing to stop them. The way men treat women matters to YHVH, but it does not to the world. The Enemy knows this, and exploits this. He hates how precious women are in the sight of the Father! I believe, therefore, that feminism is a (misjudged) response to the way men throughout the world treat women in an unscriptural way. Yes, it misses the mark. Yes, it can be harmful. However, we need to look at the symptom and not the cause. Adam was right at Chava [Eve]'s side when she ate the fruit in the Garden, yet did he stop her? No! I in no way deny that women are responsible for their own actions, but if men want their (YHVH-given) right as leader then they also need to use their (again, YHVH-given) responsibilities. Love their wives sacrificially. Honour their mothers. Treasure their daughters. Respect their sisters in Messiah. Resist the world and the Enemy's call to treat women as servants, sexual objects and playthings, but as co-heirs of the Kingdom.

My Leper Messiah

One of the traditional Hebraic titles applied to the Messiah seems strange at first - Leper Messiah. However, to me it is one of the most glorious. This week's Torah portion is called Metzorah, or leper. For those Jews who do not recognise Yeshua as their Messiah, this is simply Leviticus 14-15. Yes, we should all understand this part of Torah - but for those of us who are part of the Body of Messiah, the meaning goes deeper than that, wonderfully deeper! For our Messiah was a leper on behalf of all of us. As it says in Isaiah 53:4:

"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted."

When Yeshua carried out His Earthly ministry, it often involved the healing of lepers - perhaps this is why, for He knew the burden he would carry for us all. The Master said that healing the sick and curing lepers was a sign of the Kingdom approaching (Matt. 10:8). When He healed lepers, He told them to go and offer sacrifices as instructed by Torah. Yet, He does not offer just physical healing, but spiritual too. It is for our sake that He was 'crushed for our iniquities'. Yeshua fulfilled the prophecies in Isaiah perfectly; He took up the uncleanness of our hearts in order to heal them. As we approach Pesach [Passover], let us remind ourselves of that perfect Pesach sacrifice - Yeshua HaMashyiach took on our impurity in order to make us pure, just as He healed the leper.

wishin', and hopin' and prayin'...

So, with things a little happier in the area of fitting in with other women (something I feel is important in helping me hone my wife and mother skills), I can't help but notice how few single friends I have. I find myself wondering why this is...I know YHVH has a plan for me. I know He loves me. I know He chose me to be part of His people Yisra'el. Yet, I do not know why He has me as an outsider still in the area of marriage and family. I still need to work on growing a servant's heart, on how to be thinking about how I can serve my Master, then my brothers and sisters in Messiah, then my husband to be, then my children and not just think in terms of wanting marriage and a family because they are nice things to have. My future family deserves more, and my Master deserves much, much more.

So pray for me, dear ones, that I would be like clay, and let the Potter mould me; that I would let the Ultimate Artist draw the masterpiece of my life without wanting to rub 'mistakes' out when they are in fact essential to the final outcome; that I will let the Weaver create a beautiful tapestry even if I can only see one small thread at present. How this will all work out, I do not know, but I know all things work out for His radiance, and that He loves me as one of His chosen people. And how can I be dissatisfied with that?

Shalom, beloveds.

isolated by my standards

Being Torah Observant in a country with a relatively small Jewish population (compared to the US) and living in an area without any kind of Jewish congregation (let alone Messianic) means that I often feel very isolated...particularly with regards to wondering how on Earth I will find a husband! I do go to church/my university's Christian Union, but I again feel isolated there, but for a different reason. I am something of a tomboy, and have always got on better with men than with women - not because I dislike women, but I have more male-orientated interests, such as politics, science, film and media studies (including filmmaking/screenwriting) and science fiction/comic books. This means that I easily make male friends...but am always seen as 'one of the boys'. I love children and cooking and other homemaker-type interests....but the pinkness and frillyness and Jane Austen-wannabe nature of a lot of female believers means I have little to talk about with them. I long for marriage and a family, and don't feel like YHVH wants me to abandon my natural personality for marriage's sake (and I do trust his plan for my life, even in the moments of sadness), but it is a lonely and often frustrating time inbetween.

Shalooooom!

Hello! Welcome to She Tied The Scarlet Cord! My name is Jade, and I am a 22 year old Torah Observant believer from the UK. Currently a history student, I am seeking the Father's will for my life and I aim to use this blog to help me glorify Him through fellowship with others. The blog title comes from Joshua chapter 2 - I have always loved reading about Rachav [Rahab] in Scripture and I pray that I will have faith like hers. She was saved by her trust in the Father, symbolised by the scarlet cord, and I hope that I will trust His will for my life just as much.