Mans Authority and Responsibility
Background
Before we examine the topic of the leadership role of men, we need to decide who is the “authority on authority”. There are an abundance of resources available to us, each with its unique point of view:
Suppose you are getting on a plane. The captain announces that there is a light on in the cockpit indicating the need for a minor repair. He goes on to say that there is a guy at the airport that services the luggage conveyer systems that is really good with this kind of thing and that we’ll be underway soon.
Get me off that airplane!
I realize that the Captain has gone through a lot of training. I assume that the Captain is not suicidal. The Captain may have thousands of hours of flight time. I realize that the luggage conveyer service guy may be very skilled in his line of work. But for me to get on that airplane, I need to know that the guy working on it knows what he is factory trained and certified, is using factory specs, and uses genuine factory parts. I simply do not trust a third party with something that important.
I believe that the Bible is the absolute authority on every subject. That does not mean that all other resources are useless. What I mean is that we should seek first the Word of God. If we look to other resources and they conflict with the Word of God, then we should trust the Word of God because it is authoritative.
Let’s go back to the beginning. Early on, God sets the stage on the matter of the authority and leadership role of the man.
I.
Giving a
Name Represents Authority
· God Named Adam – that’s because God created Adam. Did you name yourself or did your parents name you?
· Adam Named the Animals – did not God give man “dominion” over the animals?
· God created Eve FOR Adam – notice that Adam did not go “get” Eve. God gave Eve to Adam. Eve was God’s gift to Adam as a helper. Now before you get puffed up on the idea that we “rule” over our wives, please bear in mind that God did not instruct and equip Adam to “conquer” and rule over Eve as his slave. Eve was a precious and needed gift brought to Adam by God. Guys, if we are so great, why did God see the need for us to have a “helper”? No apology to the wives is due. Wives need to understand how God gave them the honorable role of supplying the help because we men as husbands need their help.
· Adam Named Eve – this is a symbol of authority over Eve. To this day, the wife takes the last name of the husband.
II. The Original Sin – Did Eve Really Sin First? Think about it. The Bible says that Eve gave the fruit to Adam her husband who was with her. Notice it mentions that Adam was her husband and he was with Eve at the time. He was not just some guy who happened to be there. Now visualize the scene. Adam is at his wife’s side and follows along as Eve approaches the tree. Hold on. Why didn’t Adam speak up and say “What are we doing approaching the tree that we are forbidden to eat of”? It gets worse. Eve is within arms length of the fruit. Eve reaches up and plucks the fruit from the tree. Adam, connect the dots, Eve is about to eat the fruit! Eve now has the fruit in her hand, she opens her mouth. Adam, ALARM! It’s not too late! STOP THIS! Eve takes a bite. Adam, your wife has blown it, but you have not. Make a decision. Follow your wife, or follow God! Adam blew it, and the consequences persist to this day.
III. God Called Adam (not Eve) Into Account First – if you still believe that Eve was the first to sin, think some more. God comes into the Garden. Did God call for Eve? If Eve sinned first, wouldn’t it be reasonable to call for Eve, and then deal with Adam? I think God did deal with the crimes in the order that they occurred. God called for Adam first because of Adams (first) sin of omission – his sin of not acting on the authority and responsibility given to him by God. When God confronted Adam, did Adam fess up? No, he hid behind Eve. He used his wife as his excuse. It continues to this day.
Whether we like it or not, whether we asked for it or not, whether we think we are able or not, no matter what Dr. Bottlestopper says, no matter what Phil Donahue says, no matter what Oprah says, God has ordained the role of leadership and responsibility as belonging to men. Since God gave us the task, we can trust Him to supply us with the wisdom, courage, and strength needed to carry it out if we will submit to His authority over us.
But we must wake up and stand up. It’s not optional.