Part 15: Jezebel vs Sarah - The Refiner's Fire in our Midst

When it comes to perceiving Jezebel and her agents of control, many of us have begun to discern with eyes that see how the land is filled with just such a kind of people, and yes, it can be rather disconcerting. A season of recognition and heightening awareness is necessary for the work of deliverance and sanctification. What I've been engaging in so passionately about logos and symbols is a parallel work. Like as though scales have fallen from our eyes, many of us now see the world in ways that affirm and clarify to us what the Lord has been declaring in the scriptures all along!

The eye-opening revelation insight granted by the Lord informs us of our state of rebellion (even and especially our very OWN) and reveals how we have come under curses that involve blindness, powerful spells of deceit. What is perhaps most shocking is to finally get a glimpse of just how subtle is the working of Satan's wicked devices, just how vast a deception is wrought through an array of behaviors that seemed to us so incredibly trivial and inconsequential.

When I began to draw attention to such a matter as the wearing of braids early in this series, it appeared to some as utter foolishness. A willingness to overlook commands that seem small in our eyes has drawn us so far down a slippery slope that there's nearly no where to look but up! As it has oft been said, "the devil is in the details." This, my friend, is the reason why I am bringing such as this message forward, so you can consider the weightiness of each of the Lord's commands. There is nothing trivial being addressed. When you and I have stood before the Lord and received our due, will these words not ring true? I implore you to mind the little things.

22b) Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23a) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.
1 Samuel 15:22b-23a

A fire burns that refines pure gold, and has it not been kindled by the Lord himself? I have become as a servant employed to shovel coal in a late hour. Despite adversity and distraction, the truth must be proclaimed in this hour. Let your life testify of the passionate love of The Bridegroom with His Bride! Forsake the way of liars, of Jezebel and Mystery Babylon. This is the day for the daughters of Sarah to be brought forth as arrayed in her Husband's glory.

Let's focus our attention on practical matters, what some of the little things look like as the Lord constrains us to obedience in the marriage relationship. If you've been a lurker here so far, there's yet been no benefit to you. You cannot be a hearer only, you must be a doer.

Men, what the Lord asks of a husband and father in this day is a very difficult and awkward thing. To appear to rule your wife and children well seems to be acceptable in today's culture, but you have to know that seeking to actually rule well and truly honor the Lord will very likely thrust you into situations that will appear quite unacceptable before neighbors, friends and family, and perhaps a few official government agencies. It may feel like, as a family man, you're in a no-win situation. If you feel that way, that's a sign that you lack faith in God. Brother, when you obey God, you win. Let me encourage you to seek and find His help. If you're waiting for courage it's found along the way but seldom if ever before you start.

Men, if you think you're going to just let your wife (and children) usurp your authority without further consequence, you're not thinking right. If you think you're "keeping peace" by compromise, you are making a bad trade, trading what's extremely valuable for what's absolutely worthless. If you suppose letting women and children rule makes them happy and contented, you could not be further from the truth. Your failure to rule well brings a curse, and they share in it.

Wives, are you ever attentive to and availing yourself of opportunities to "share information" with your husband? If this "guiding light" is unsolicited, you have mutton on your breath, dear sister. No joke. This is not a matter of "worthiness of information." If your advice is not in response to an explicit request from your husband inviting you to offer counsel, you have been deceived into leading and taking authority over your husband. Should your husband foolishly extend something akin to an open invitation for you to proffer counsel, you should recognize that he has been deceived into giving away what is not his to give. Bite your tongue. Hold your peace. If he commands you to give counsel on a specific matter, you must do so, trusting in the Lord. Otherwise, restrain yourself, no matter how intensely you feel the need to share information. The scriptural basis for this has yet to be addressed in the blog, but, Lord willing, that day is coming soon. Many of you will say amen by the spirit of holiness.

Imagine going to a marriage counselor and being told this. Right. If you happen to know any, you might want to give them the courtesy of a gentle challenge to reconsider their standards.

A woman is to be subject to her husband in the same way as a servant/slave is to their master/owner, and, indeed, as to Christ. Woman, be a valuable servant, the most valuable servant your husband could have. Don't be an empty headed "stand around wait until you're told what to do" kind of servant. Bowing your head like you're ashamed of your role or of your master and shuffling along behind is no glory. Hold your head up as one who truly is given an honorable estate, and give your husband the honor due him. Watch your husband closely and trust God to show you how to serve with your whole body and soul as a most valuable and trusted servant, fully invested. If you earn his trust, he will exalt you and richly reward you, yet not so as to become equal "in the throne." Servitude has been denigrated.

Men, help, encourage and let your wife become such a servant, valuable, trustworthy and worthy of being exalted in her estate. Trust God to reveal her need to you, and give yourself fully to her in that regard without reserve. This is how Christ loves the church, is it not?

In closing, beware of The Silent Treatment and withholding sex, as these are common means of abusing a spouse. Let there be forgiveness, and, in that, what action or response to whatever offense may have occurred may be brought forth in love.

31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32) And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32