Barbara K

Thanks for the positive response, Kristin! I really liked your summary, too.

By understanding this overarching theme, we can more easily weed out what is incorrect teaching– because it results in a continuation of division rather than contributing to restoration of oneness.

I might add, though, that as I understand it, the type of “rule” that a husband is supposed to provide is NOT the aggressive, demeaning type of leadership. In Genesis 3:16 the word translated “rule” is yimeshalbake, as one effort at transliteration anyway, from “mashal” which means more along the lines of:
determine character, example,; rule, parable, reign, proverb
and is very different from “rada” also translated as “rule” in chapter 1, but which refers to the act of subduing or having dominion OVER someone, or thing.

So, rather than being justification for men to subdue women, it is more like a picture of the need for determination to care for a wife as Messiah cares for His Bride. Leading by example; servant leadership as is often said. Like a Proverb is a teaching example of the development of character. And women are teaching examples of the development of character every bit as much as men are. Both are included in Proverbs, referring to the importance of holding on to both father and mother’s teachings.

I really see it that neither Adam or Eve did what they should have done according to their form and function as male/female so there was indeed room for confusion and destructive ways of interpreting that whole thing.

As I said, comparison is made with sun and moon; greater and lesser lights, but again the mistake has been made thinking that male human beings are THE sun; when here we see that mankind, male and female are the moon, reflecting Yeshua Who is our Light/Sun.

But, in His time, He is going about the business of allowing the division in order to bring about the full and complete witness.
Isn’t there a verse in Corinthians, I think, about the necessity of division in order to tell who among you is genuine? Perhaps this also applies here? Just a thought.
Thanks for picking up this old thread to accommodate a ‘newbie.”