Glory of Women Vs. Glory of Men

In the not too distant past women found there greatest purpose in life was bringing life into the world. Women who were barren were often looked down upon as one in disfavor with God. In Genesis 29 and 30 we read the story of Rachel and Leah, wives of Jacob, who engaged in a birthing competition. Rachel was barren and complained to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!" Rachel was so eager to have children that she experienced childbearing by proxy through her handmaid Bilhah. When Leah appeared to be barren she gave Jacob her handmaid to bear a son. Poor Jacob never got a nights rest because these women were competing with one another through childbirth. The more children one bore the more honor they had. I believe those who scorn large families are actually shamed in their hearts because their desire for affluency take precedent over Gods blessing of children. Bearing sons in the ancient world was more prized then daughters because men were the rulers, leaders and bread winners. The scriptures do not state how many daughters Jacob had but it probably equaled or numbered more than the number of sons. Eventually, Rachel bore a son and she said, "The Lord has taken away my reproach". Rachel, Leah and their two handmaids became the mothers of the twelve tribes of Israel. God took this selfish competition between these women and created a nation. Elizabeth was old and past child bearing years yet the angel of the Lord spoke to her husband Zacharias and told him she would bear a son. When Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist she said, " The Lord has taken away my reproach".

Whether women today will admit it or not they possess or at some time in their life will possess a God given desire to bring life into the world. I call this inherent need to birth the glory of women. As carriers of new life I can think of no greater glory a woman can have. This is why abortion is so evil. It attacks the act of procreation which is a divinely appointed function for creation. Giving birth was and should be a defining point of womanhood. It was a defining point for 4,000 years and still is in most of the world except for Western Civilization in the past 50 years. Now childbearing takes second place to a woman having a "career". It's been my observation that the woman who sets aside her procreative responsibilities to pursue selfish aspirations will not assume the role of mother when the time comes. Women still give birth today but very few are mothers. Public schools and day cares are the "mothers". Children spend more time with strangers who have no God given authority over that child and thus there is no inherent responsibility to teach that child in the ways of God but I am digressing a bit. The point I am making here is that the glory of women is to bring life into the world. So, what is the glory of man? Answer: To take life out of the world.

Every age of history is defined by war. Men are typically drawn to war. I can't recount the number of stories I have read and heard of teenagers sneaking off to join the fight. It's happened in every war the United States has fought in. Some wars evoke a greater response relative to the moral issues that may surround it. During WWII there were many men who committed suicide because they were found physically unfit to serve in the military. This was an unbearable reproach upon them as was barrenness in a woman. Their rejection to serve their country made them feel less of a man.

Throughout the ages the heroes of boys were often generals or warriors. And those heroes who killed were perceived to be justified in their killing. Two of my heroes are Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. They were Godly men who fought a noble cause to defend their homes and families against an illegal invader. I think Lee captured a glimpse of man's depravity when he said, "It is good that war is so horrible or we should grow fond of it".

The highest citation bestowed by the U.S. government upon anyone is the Congressional Medal of Honor. In many instances killing is directly related to the Medal of Honor. Our countries highest honor is often associated with killing. I am not a pacifist or conscientious objector. I believe there is a time for peace and a time for war. However, its my opinion that during my 54 years on this planet I can think of only two times the U.S. was justified in using military forces and that was the evacuation of U.S. citizens from Grenada and the Iranian hostage crisis. The sad thing is that history is defined by death. The glory of men is to kill. And to kill with skill. Most men are fascinated with killing. I've watched many a war movies and shoot em' up Westerns. So, I'm not pointing a finger at anyone but making an observation that I fear most of us give little thought to. We are desensitized to killing and glorify the death of our enemies.

Stop and think with me. Where does killing and death come from? Where did it start? It started with Adam and Eve committing sin and bringing death into the world. As gruesome and horrible as death is we entertain ourselves with it through movies, books, music and art. Its like watching your neighbors house burn. As horrible as it may be it becomes a source of entertainment and it does not disturb you as much because its not your house. I believe this propensity to be entertained by violence is another evidence of the depravity of mankind. Even though the hero is killing for a just cause its still killing and should not be a source of entertainment for a Christian. I'm not suggesting that we should not be prepared for war. Studying war is one thing. Being entertained by it is another.

Christians should entertain their minds with the fact that Jesus conquered death and the grave. He does not take delight in the death of the wicked but we certainly do.
Ezekiel 18:23,32 "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?","For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
Ezekiel 33:11 "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

The glory of men is to kill. Is this something to really aspire to? My greatest heroes in history are John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Martin Luther, John Knox, Peter Cartwright, Elijah, Paul and Jesus. These are the men I want to emulate. Men who brought eternal life to others through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The glory of women is to bring life into the world and the glory of men is to take life out of this world. Oh, that I may glory in the cross of Christ my king. To the men reading this, glory not in taking life unless it is your own life you take to the cross.