Part 18: Jezebel vs Sarah - The Other Sin in the Garden

Continuing from the previous post, the link between 1 Timothy 2 and Genesis provides a vivid example of a woman teaching a man and usurping authority over him, and in that we may discover some precious insight. When the activity in the Garden of Eden is considered, the focus of attention for the vast majority of folks is only ever on the "eating of the fruit of the tree," but yet there were two kinds of sin that were addressed when consequences were pronounced. The other kind involved the relationship between the woman and the man.

16) To the woman He said ... your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you."
17) Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife ...

Genesis 3:16b-17a

When you consider the account of what happened in the Garden in this light you should recognize the example of a woman teaching a man and usurping authority over him. This is the sin that led to the other, to his "eating," and the result of both was that dire and extreme but necessary and appropriate consequences were brought forth that remain to this day.

16) To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth, In pain you will bring forth children; Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you."
17) Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life.

Genesis 3:16-17

This subject is addressed at length in a study I recommend as collateral reading, Who is Cain's Father? Part Two, in a side bar titled: "The Other Sin in the Garden."

Both kinds of sin are fully in view when 1 Timothy 2 makes reference to Genesis, and when these things are given proper consideration it becomes apparent that this profound insight has gone so far over our heads it has almost entirely escaped our notice.

11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1 Timothy 2:11-15

When a woman teaches a man she follows the woman's example in the garden, does she not? When a man permits a woman to teach him, does he not follow the example of the man in the garden? How blind we have been in our arrogance!

Lord, forgive me and help me to acknowledge and accept how Your ways are ever higher than my ways. Help me Lord, to the end that I will no longer follow the way of the man and woman in the garden, that I may willingly accept the role you have ordained for me in this life and honor You with obedience!

When you and I follow the example of the man and woman in the garden where a woman teaches or instructs a man and the man permits himself to be instructed, can the result be far different from that in the garden? One sin then led to the other. Should it not, for us today, produce a similar result? We have long sat in darkness, scratching our heads, wondering why, oh why, devils are permitted to have their way with us. When the answer comes, it stuns us to be confronted with the simple truth. When a woman teaches a man and he abides it, you might imagine the devils clapping their hands with glee: "Suckers. They'll never learn!"

If this speaks to you, and I pray it does, take account of yourself and humble yourself before the Creator today. Seek His counsel about what He requires of you and His help to carry it out. I beg you not to make of this study a merely academic exercise.

As you reflect upon these things, you may perceive how both kinds of sin in the garden relate to what has come to be labeled "Jezebel," sexual impropriety and selfish domineering. This is a profound revelation that gives insight into just how important it really is for a man and a woman today, even you and I, to be self-controlled and careful to honor our assigned gender roles.

In this matter, like our parents before us, and theirs before them and back even so far as the first man and woman, most of us have rebelled against our Creator. We have, in so doing, reaped to ourselves severe consequences. We inherit curses, acquire more and pass them on to our children. But the Lord has provided a means for redemption.

Considering our history of casual disregard for the appointment of authority expressed through gender distinction, is it any wonder Jezebel rules with authority over such a vast domain? Is it any wonder that Mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots, is seen riding the scarlet Beast? Through the activity of women teaching men Jezebel receives an open invitation. Disobedience brings a curse. Control spirits associated with Jezebel work through the mechanism of the exercise of control over the "flow of information." When commands that directly involve the headship relationship and the order of and purpose in creation are rebelled against, both genders suffer severe and enduring consequences. It can be no other way.

So it is that a woman must learn in quietness with all subjection. It has only ever been this way. It should well be noted that the matter of a woman being subject to the man is not a consequence of sin but rather preceded it as implicit in the nature of creation.

Deception and Gender

You may recall how that it was the matter of the woman being deceived and not the man given as a reason for why a woman is not to teach or usurp authority over a man.

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

1 Timothy 2:14

Will a woman only ever be deceived in her thinking and a man never? No. Of course not. But a woman instructing a man is only ever done in disobedience according to the way of the man and woman in the garden of Eden.

It's common for wicked acts of rebellion to be justified with the notion, "Let us do evil that good may come." (Romans 3:8) It has oft been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Let's leave good intentions behind, carnal reasonings that presume we know better than our Maker in Heaven. A woman who instructs a man is already deceived, is she not? A man who permits a woman to teach or himself to be instructed by a woman has himself fallen prey to the deception, drawn into sin that bears with it a curse. Let's take a lesson from the third chapter of Genesis. Let's heed what Paul passed on to Timothy as through the spirit of the living God for you and I.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

My friends, when the rubber meets the road on this you're likely to hear some screeching tires and see the cloud of smoke and some long skid marks and smell the burnt rubber. Your car may be cruising along on the 6 lane freeway of life and now, all of a sudden, you realize how you need to get off here RIGHT NOW, and start going down that little country lane over yonder, yeah, the one with all the pot holes.

Are you a husband or wife? Had this deal wrong about women teaching men? You're not alone. If you are honest, you're going to have to deal with it. You're going to have to repent. Are you a parent with children? A person with such folk as you consider friends, and want to consider yourself as a true friend to them? What's your behavior modeling and your mouth professing? What are you writing in email, and posting on forums and blog comments? Are you participating in "inappropriate" behavior? Ladies, are you "sharing information" with men in such a way that might be considered as leading or instructing? Men, are you permitting such? Yikes! This is rather confrontational isn't it? Why do I feel like I'm under conviction here. Oh. It's because I am. Oh, Lord help!

Women, are you engaging as a teacher of men through words of any kind, books, blogs, video, radio or Web sites perhaps? Maybe the Lord will just look the other way, like He did with Eve. Oh, wait. OK. No, He probably won't. If you think you've been blessed already despite your disobedience, I'm sure you're right. He is great in mercy! If you consider you've been blessed plenty enough, then you'll just carry on, I suppose. But, consider how much more blessing there might be when a great curse of disobedience is removed, and you're set free from the deceptive rule of Jezebel.

Men, are you permitting women to teach men, even seating yourself at the feet of women to be taught? If so, do you think your behavior truly honors them, or is it rather a dishonoring of your Head, even Christ? Is your bookshelf a witness to the way of Adam, who listened to the voice of his wife and was subsequently rebuked and beset with a curse? Are the references in your books and writings to the teachings of women, or links from your Web site or blog directing men to the same? Is your Web forum an open gender free-for-all? Again, if you think you've been blessed already despite your disobedience, I'm sure you're right. He is great in mercy! But, again, consider how much more blessing there might be when a great curse of disobedience is removed, and you're freed from the deceptive rule of Jezebel.

I don't expect the traffic flow along the 6 lane freeway through Babylon will be much effected by this post or any in the series. However, some of us are waking up to see what road we've been on. If we check ourselves in the mirror, we might see ourselves seated behind the wheel with glazed eyes and a smug look on our faces. Screeeeeech!

In closing, I'll take this opportunity to apologize to those of you I may have deceived through my rebellious behavior and words that have been contrary to the revelation insight presented in this post. This does not exempt me from making more personal confessions and apologies as required, but this is necessary as a testimony and example. I ask for your forgiveness and forbearance, as I too seek to be changed in the hope of finding mercy before the throne. The Bridegroom calls for His Bride, and He rejoices to find her willing to be prepared even in this hour.

More to follow, Lord willing!