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Checking Our Biases
Make a mental check whether the following words cause a positive or negative reaction: dominate, dominion, govern, manage, master, reign, rule.
Every one of them translates the same Hebrew word mashal:
[ ] CSB’17 Gen 1:17-18: “God placed them in the expanse of the sky to provide light on the earth, to rule the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
Various other translations read “govern” or “dominate”. Is it positive the sun and moon rule? Everything was pronounced “very good” by God.
[ ] NASB+ Gen 4:7: “”If you do well, will not [your countenance] be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Most translations read “rule”. Is it positive or negative to master sin wanting to devour us? God said it would be well for Cain if he succeeded.
[ ] CSB’17 Gen 24:2: “Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his household who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,”
Is it good or bad to be placed in a place of trust?
[ ] CSB’17 Gen 45:8: “Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”
Was God placing Joseph as ruler positive or negative for the survival of Egypt and his brothers?
All the above have important things in common: 1) They involve structure, order, or organization; 2) They all are positive.
Having shown that, let’s look at another verse:
[ ] CSB’17 Gen 3:16: “He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children with painful effort. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.”
As we have an immediate reaction to different English words, whether positive or negative, many have an immediate reaction to “rule” in Genesis 3:16. Should we?
First, every use of mashal was neutral as to worth or value. They dealt with structure.
Second, every use above involved a placement by a superior: God placed the lights in the sky. Abraham placed his servant as manager. God through Pharaoh placed Joseph as ruler. None of those positions were self-appointed.
Third, every use above someone or thing was put in a position of serving the good of others. The sun keeps us alive. Eliezer served to benefit Abraham. Joseph saved and protected.
So going back to Genesis 3:16, a husband having authority is neither self-appointed nor self-serving. I suggest it shouldn’t be considered negative and part of the curse or consequence of sin. God is reestablishing what got lost in the fall. Adam passively allowed Eve to self-appoint herself as lead.
Husbands, if my understanding is correct, then our rule is God-appointed, for the benefit of our wives. In other words, we husbands are reliving creation and new creation through agape love – seeking the best for our wives.
Going back to the original self-reaction, studying is hard work. Read different translations and comments. Understand context “rules” how words are used. Both studying as God would have us do, and husbands serving through leading, are hard work.
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