Musing – Are Modern Roles of Men and Women becoming Non-Biblical?

 

   Hebraic Musing – Are Modern Roles of Men and Women becoming Non-Biblical?

Women have traditionally fulfilled and gained joy in supportive roles in serving the church, they also get their sense of accomplishment from being wives and mothers.  Has the feminist movement influenced many women to abandon these divinely ordained roles?  Is that trend becoming evident in the Church?  Unfortunately, has this trend also been creating confusion in families and homes as well?

What happened at Creation?   “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Gen 1:27 NIV   So the Bible begins with the equality of the sexes. As persons, as spiritual beings standing before God, men and women are absolutely equal.  But then Chapter 2 reveals differences in their God-given functions and responsibilities.  God did not create the man and the woman at the same time, but rather He created Eve later for the specific purpose of being Adam’s helper.  BTW, God also refers to Himself as a Helper.  “We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.”  Ps. 33:20   Eve was equal to Adam, but she was given the role and duty of submitting to him as helper.  The responsibility of wives to submit to their husbands, then, was part of God’s plan from creation.   

Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God’s command resulted in a consequence.  “To the woman he said, … Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Gen. 3:16   As a result, marriages throughout history face an ongoing struggle, with women seeking control and men seeking dominance.

Women in the Old Testament were active in the religious life of Israel, but generally they were not leaders.  No woman had an ongoing prophetic ministry, or was a priest, or a queen ruling Israel.  And no woman wrote an OT or NT book.  Greek, Roman, Jewish cultures and many countries today view women almost as possessions, while Jesus showed love and respect for women.  He also taught Mary and, when admonished by Martha, He had to point out the priority of learning spiritual truth even over “womanly” responsibilities like serving guests in one’s home (see Luke 10:38-41).

In the Epistles, the two principles of equality and submission for women exist side by side. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28   This points to their equality.  The way of salvation is the same for both and they have equal standing in the body of Christ.

Christian marriage involves mutual love and submission between two believers.  “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  And then, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” Eph. 5:21-22  And there are three more NT verses expressly giving wives the responsibility to submit to their husbands; -- Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Pet. 3:1.  This voluntary submission of one equal to another is an expression of love for God and a desire to follow His design as revealed in His Word.  It is never pictured as demeaning or in any way diminishing the wife’s equality or importance.  In fact, the husband is called to love his wife sacrificially.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Eph. 5:25.

The husbands and fathers are given the primary responsibility for the leadership of their children.  “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” 1 Tim. 3:4   Meanwhile, wives and mothers are urged to be “workers at home”; “to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:5.   Their home and their children are to be their priority.  Is this in contrast to today’s emphasis on careers and full-time jobs for women outside the home?  Did women in the workplace became normalized after WWII?

The Apostle Paul respected women and worked side by side with them.   “help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel,” Phil. 4:3, but he appointed no female elders or pastors.  In his letters, he urged that men were to be the leaders in the church and that women were not to teach or exercise authority over men.  They are to be silent in church, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man;” 1 Tim. 2:12.  Therefore, although women are spiritual equals with men and the ministry of women is essential to the body of Christ, women were, or are, excluded from leadership over men in the church.

SUMMARY:  Women are mentioned as fulfilling many vital roles in the Church but not one of them is leadership.  The apostles were all men who did the chief missionary activity, wrote the New Testament, and lead the churches.  The Church was entrusted to Men.  I’ve heard it said - “Only in obedience to Him and His design will both men and women truly be able, in the fullest sense, to give glory to God!”   But what should the men be doing?  Or not doing?

Points to ponder

Have you seen a Biblical example of a Husband/Wife working relationship? 
And what kind of family is the result?

Are roles of women in other countries/cultures different than in America?  Are they more Biblical?

Biggest question - Are American men fulfilling their role as Spiritual Heads of the Households?

“Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”  1 Corinth..11:3 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                             October 20, 2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Additional Books on this topic:          Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
                                                            Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray

 Hebraic Musing – Did the “Binding of Isaac” foretell the Passion of Christ?

In our traditional Christian teachings, the well-known account of the “binding of Isaac” in Genesis 22 has been the ultimate picture of Abraham’s faith   Abraham was faced with a “Paradox of Obedience” but he listened and obeyed God and thus earned a place in the “Faith” chapter in Hebrews -- “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."    Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”  Hebrews 11:17-19  NIV

Instead of dwelling on Abraham’s faith, let’s look at this event from Isaac’s perspective.  How many parallels are there between Isaac’s role and the passion of Jesus Christ?

1.      Heavenly messengers announced their coming AND gave them their names

2.      Both represent miraculous births

3.      Both Jesus and Isaac represent their father’s only son being sacrificed

4.      The location of both sacrifices is at the same place – Mount Moriah

5.      Donkeys carry each of them to the place of their sacrificial death

6.      Both resurrected on the third day - Isaac returned (Gen.22:4); Jesus arose

7.      Both carried the wood to be used for their sacrifice

8.      Both demonstrated that one life can be sacrificed for another (a ram for Isaac; Jesus for us)

9.      Isaac’s ram was unblemished – “caught by his horns”; Jesus was the unblemished Lamb of God

10.  Both Isaac and Jesus faced death voluntarily

11.  FINAL RESULT – All nations are being blessed and the sons live on

Are we to view the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as a message of faith, or as a prophecy of the coming of our Savior, Yeshua?

Abraham faced a “Paradox of Obedience”.  Should he commit murder, or should he obey Almighty God?  This is not the only such “Paradox of Obedience” in Scripture; nor is it the only one in our lives.  Moses lifted up a bronze snake on a stake in the desert; that was viewed as idolatry, the worst sin!  But he did it in obedience to God’s command in order to heal the people.  BTW – that was another foretelling of Jesus as He Himself pointed out -- “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  John 3:14-15   NIV

Athol Dickson summarized the application of these paradoxes with this statement – “Do not fear questioning God.  Do not fear idolatry.  Fear the Lord instead.”

A few classic examples of “Paradoxes of Obedience” in our daily lives:
   – Take a stand at your workplace, or risk losing the income that provides for the family.
   – Go to church on Sunday, or respond to a friend in emergency need.
   – Obey the Sabbath, or get the neighbor’s ox out of the ditch.

 Points to ponder

How can we learn to listen to God when faced with the paradoxes of life?

How many more fore tellings of Jesus can be found in the Hebrew Scriptures?

♫  Trust and Obey, for there is no other way…♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       October 13, 2026  (Originally August 1, 2017)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired and quoted from Athol Dickson’s “The Gospel according to Moses” – P.241 “Coincidences in Hebrew Scriptures” 

Musing - Why do we find ourselves asking “Why”?

 Hebraic Musing - Why do we find ourselves asking “Why”?

We tend to ask “Why” when we’re disappointed, or we’re discouraged, or things are not going the way we want them to.  Are we focusing on ourselves?  Are we having a “pity party”?  How often does our Bible use the word “Why”?    A – Over 500x !!!    Here’s just a few examples –

When Moses was to take the people out of Egypt, he asked – “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?” Exodus 5:22-23 NKJV    Later we learn that it was the Lord’s plan to use Moses to show God’s power and strength and to destroy the gods of Egypt.

Joshua asked, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us?” Joshua 7:7   Joshua apparently assumed all they had to do was be in the land and it would surrender to them.  Does the Lord give us difficult challenges to grow our faith?

Then Gideon cried out when the Midianites were oppressing Israel.  “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’” Judges 6:13   The Lord doesn’t brag about what He does, but encourages us to challenge ourselves to grow and face difficulties; and He will be with us!

Nehemiah asked, “So I contended with the rulers, and said, ‘Why is the house of God forsaken?’” Nehemiah 13:11.   Sometimes we ask “why” in situations so we can gain knowledge, understanding and direction.

A psalmist wrote, “Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1.  When we are in the midst of a difficult time, we tend to shut down and not reach out for help.  We feel like we are alone and no one cares.  It may feel like Jesus is standing far off, but He is only a prayer away.

In Psalm 22:1 we hear David praying desperately.  “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning?”  When we are feeling helpless it seems no one understands us, and we start to feel forsaken by all.

Sometimes we plea for relief from oppressors.  “O God, why have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?” Psalm 74:1   Smoke and fire are often associated with anger and wrath.  It is important for us to know when we are displeasing the Lord, so we can repent and be forgiven.

In the midst of difficult times, it is easy to blame God for our situation, and to ask for life to get easier.  “O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, And hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants’ sake, The tribes of Your inheritance.” Isaiah 63:17 

Jeremiah mourned, “Have You utterly rejected Judah? Has Your soul loathed Zion? Why have You stricken us so that there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but there was no good; And for the time of healing, and there was trouble.” Jeremiah 14:19   Then the answer comes in the very next verse, “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness And the iniquity of our fathers, For we have sinned against You.”.   If we are rebellious and ignoring our Lord and then wonder why He isn’t answering our “give me” prayers, maybe we need to change our attitude and take time each day to be with Him, reading scripture and praying.  Let us come to repentance and put Him back in first place in our lives.

Answer – Our Heavenly Father deepens our faith when we ask “why?” no matter what is going on in our lives.

Points to ponder

Why are the folks in the Bible asking “Why” so often? 

Why does the Lord welcome the “why” questions?
When reading our Bible, does Our Father like it when we ask “why?”?

How does Our Heavenly Father to deepen our faith when we ask Him “why?”?

Why does the word “why” appear over 500 times in the Bible?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       October 6, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired by Johanna Hocker’s musing – “Asking Why” 

Musing – What does it mean to be Baptized?

 Hebraic Musing – What does it mean to be Baptized?

Webster’s non-Christian definition of Baptism is “an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named”.  The term "baptism" comes from the Greek word “baptizo”, meaning to plunge, immerse, wash or submerge in water.  What are some of the Baptisms in the Bible? What was the first Baptism?

Was Creation of the earth the first baptism?  The land came up out of the water cowering the earth.  The land that was birthed was holy land; the first temple or place where people could meet and worship Elohim.

But Man fell, walked away from God’s presence and the earth became corrupted by the “sons of God”.  Man became so corrupt under that self-governance that God sent the Noahic Flood as a baptism of death and a renewal to life.  Man was reborn and governed by the Noahic covenant.

Then came the Abrahamic covenant where God established his will to build a people who are still wretched, idolaters and wanderer until they became captivated and became slaves to sin.  They were baptized from sin into a covenant called the Mosaic covenant with the baptism of the Red Sea crossing.  “They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” 1 Cor.10:2   God took a people through the waters of the Red Sea as a people who are to represent Him to the world.

The baptism of Naaman in 2 Kings 5,  He was a valiant warrior, captain of the Syrian army, who had leprosy when he came to Elijah the prophet.  He was told by Elisha to go wash/baptize in the Jordan seven times, which he did and he was healed!  In 2 Kings 5:17 Naaman requested some soil to take home with him; thus taking a piece of God’s land as a throne room so he could worship Yahweh in his home.  (A pattern of missions.) and this is also foretelling that the gospel of forgiveness is available to gentiles.  This was a baptism of healing and salvation in the Old Testament. 

We are familiar with the Baptism of John, administered by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  This baptism called for confession of sins and repentance.  It was preparing the people for the coming of Jesus’ ministry by providing a spiritual cleansing and a readiness of a new temple for God’s kingdom; the focus changed from worshipping God in a man-made temple in Jerusalem to worshipping a temple that is to be man.  God’s residence changed from a stone structure in Jerusalem to the hearts of His children all over the world!!!

This change in God’s residence is celebrated by the Baptism of repentance for the believers or the Christian Water Baptism commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”   This baptism involves immersion in water to signify a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  It represents cleansing, renewal, and entry into the covenant community — God’s process of moving into you and me to make us His dwelling place.  God’s temple was to be in man; and continues to be in man to this day. 

Then the baptism of the Holy Spirit was God’s evidence of His dwelling presence in His new creatures that now serve as temples where God’s presence is available to work all sorts of miracles.  He empowers believers for service and godly living, as seen at Pentecost (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4).  It signifies spiritual transformation and the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

Old Testament sprinklings and washings were not enough.  “They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” Heb. 9:10

Points to ponder

Does a baptism require full immersion?  Why?

After your baptism, what changed?   Where was Jesus?

“Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” Romans 6:3-5 NIV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                       September 29, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired by my son Joseph’s message.

More theological themes about Baptisms across history and denominations:
  - Purification and repentance: Core symbolism from Jewish antecedents persists.
  - Identification with Christ: Baptism parallels Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).
  - Initiation into Community: Public, communal act embedding the believer into the body of Christ.
  - Conveyance of Grace: Sacramental (Catholic/Orthodox) vs. symbolic testimony (Anabaptist/Baptist).
  - Original Sin and Infant Baptism: Prominent in Western tradition; debated in other branches.

Joseph’s notes

The very first baptism, the creation of the earth and the land came up out of the water.

The land that was birthed was the holy land; where Yahweh established his first temple.  The garden was his throne room.  His presence with man on the new creation called earth.

Man fell, walked away from that presence and the earth became corrupted by the “sons of God” who had sex with the daughters of men.  And that’s the start of the demigods called nephilium. And then man became so corrupt under that governance that the flood was sent to destroy the earth and all its inhabitants to start over. A baptisms of death and renewal to life, a repentance from the throne of the sons of god being taken back by Yahweh, and after its rebirth is now under the governance of the Noahic covenant.

Then follows the Abrahamic covenant.  Where God establishes his will to build a people who are still wretched, idolaters and wandering until they became captivated to the slavery of sin.  Then they were delivered from sin and baptized into a covenant called the mosaic covenant that commenced with the baptism of the Red Sea crossing.  God pulling them up out of the waters a people to whom he would use to represent himself to the world. 

The baptism of Naaum who was a captain of the Syrian army.  Who was with leprosy when he came to Elijah the prophet.  He was told to go wash/baptize in the Jordan seven times.  He was healed!  He requested dirt, soil, earth, terra firma to take home with him to take a piece of Gods land, temple, throne room so he could worship Yahweh in his home.  (A pattern of missions.) a foretell of the gospel of forgiveness being given to the gentiles.  The baptism of healing/salvation in the Old Testament.  

The. We see the baptism of John, also known as a baptism of repentance, repentance is change specifically a 180 degree change,  Jesus made 180 degree change from all thing must come through the temple made by men in Jerusalem. He then changed it to himself! God’s temple was to be in man.  And in man the temple continues to this day.  Then there is the baptism of the believers of repentance of dead works with compliance to the traditional temple to faith in Jesus(God)!  Where in God inaugurates the process of moving into you and me to make us his dwelling place.  Then the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was his evidence of his dwelling presence in his new creatures that double as temples.  Where his presence does inclined to work all sorts of miracles. .

Googled:

Baptism of Moses - This baptism refers to the Israelites’ passage through the Red Sea under Moses’ leadership, described in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2. It symbolizes identification with God’s deliverance and covenant, rather than a literal water immersion, highlighting dependence on God’s guidance and protection

Baptism of John --

Baptism of Jesus - Jesus Himself was baptized by John (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11), demonstrating His identification with humanity and fulfilling righteousness. The Holy Spirit descended upon Him, affirming His divine authority and mission

Baptism in the Holy Spirit - This baptism empowers believers for service and godly living, as seen at Pentecost (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4). It signifies spiritual transformation and the indwelling of God’s Spirit

Baptism of Fire - Mentioned in passages like Matthew 3:11, this baptism represents purification and judgment, refining believers and separating righteousness from sin

Baptism for the Dead - Referenced in 1 Corinthians 15:29, this baptism is enigmatic and was practiced by some early Christians. It points to God’s work concerning life, death, and resurrection, though interpretations vary

Israel’s ceremonial cleansings

These cleansing rituals were required under the Mosaic Law for the cleansing of the people. (Num 19:13; Lev 11:25; Exo 19:14; Exo 30:17-21; Heb 9:10)    Levitical priesthood baptisms      These washings were required in order to become a priest under the Law of Moses.      (Exo 29:4; Lev 8:6; Num 8:7)

Musing – What does “Repent” really mean?

 Hebraic Musing – What does “Repent” really mean?

Early in the NT John the Baptist tells us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 3:2 NIV   And in the very next chapter Jesus preached “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 

Our bible study leader asked – “What does Repent really mean?”  Some answers that initially came were:
  - Stop doing that evil thing.
  - Be sorry for what you did.
  - Stop and do penance (pay a penalty or do some work like saying three “Our Fathers”)
  - etc.

So, what has the word “repent” meant to you?

The Greek word is “metanoia”, which literally means “to change the mind.”  Repentance fundamentally means to change your mind about something.  It has to do with the way you think about something.  You’ve been thinking one way, but now you think the opposite way.  That’s repentance — the changing of the mind. 
μετανοέω = “to repent” — to change one’s mind/purpose, especially morally.
μετάνοια = “repentance” — the state of having changed one’s mind, recognizing and turning away from sin.
Etymology:  From meta- (“after, beyond, change”) + noieō (“to think, understand”)

Latin Origins - The word "repent" traces back to the Latin verb paenitēre, which means “to feel regret” or “to be sorry” and is related to the noun poena, meaning “penalty” or “punishment” (reflecting the idea of making amends for wrongdoing).  In Vulgar Latin, it appeared as paenitīre, and in Vulgar Latin as repaenitīre, incorporating the intensive prefix re- to emphasize deep regret. 

In the New Testament, the word “repent” is most often translated from the Greek verb μετανοέω (metanoeó),

Both the Greek and the Latin highlight the inward decision to live differently, rather than just external sorrow or ritual.

What does “Repent” really mean to us today?  There are two Hebrew words to help us understand repentance. The first is the word “nacham” which means to turn around or to change your mind.  The second is the word “sub” which  is used over 600 times in the Old Testament translated to words like “turn,” “return,” “seek,” or “restore.” You often see it in popular phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”

The Hebrew word for repent is “teshuva” (תשובה), which means "to return." This term conveys a deeper meaning beyond mere regret; it signifies a return to God and a turning away from sin.  In a broader context, “teshuva” is often associated with the concept of seeking forgiveness and making amends.  “Teshuva” is a lot more than a feeling of guilt or regret.  It derives from the verb ‘to return’.  

First mention of “Repent” in the Bible – “and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to show them mercy;” 1 Kings 8:47-50

To “repent” is to regret so deeply that it changes the mind or course of conduct and as a consequence one develops new mental and spiritual habits.

Points to ponder

Does “repent” mean more than just “being sorry”?

Are we to repent before or after our moment of salvation?

Which understanding recognizes that the work has already been done?  A - On the cross!

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Acts 2:38

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd             September 22, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – Does Worry accomplish anything?

 Hebraic Musing – Does Worry accomplish anything?

Let’s see what our Lord’s Scripture has to say!  Jesus tells us to worry not!  “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

What value is there in worrying? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” 

Do we question the source of our faith, Jesus continues in v.31 – “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

What should we do instead… v.33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”   I wonder how many things we can’t control that we find ourselves worrying about?    Matthew 6:25-33  NKJV

And we get further advice from Apostle Paul.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
And Peter reminds us to rely on Jesus.  “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 
I want to sing a song I grew up with.  ♫ “Cast all your cares upon Him for He careth for you.” ♫

How many of us feel inadequate to deal with some issues?  If so – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8    How many times does God’s Word tell us to simply “ASK”?   A – Over 60x in the NT.

Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, but then she was distracted when her sister, Mary, spent time with Jesus. “And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41

Psalm 13 “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”
Then in v.5&6 the psalmist sees his/our answer!  “But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”   Thus, the Psalmist finally recognized who is in charge!  And he is advised by the Lord to simply “trust” in the Lord!  

♫ Trust and obey, For there's no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey. ♫

Points to ponder

What burdens am I carrying that God has invited me to cast on to Him?

Am I spending more time rehearsing my fears than remembering God’s promises?

Is my mind divided between trusting God and fearing the future?

What specific concern can I surrender to Christ today?

♫  “Why worry when you can pray.  Trust Jesus, He’ll show you the way. Don’t be doubting Thomas,
         Rest fully on His promise, Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray?” ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 15, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by Pastor Randy Jackson’s message 7/22/26 at King’s Community Church, Seligman, MO.

Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

 Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

Genesis 1:22 provides God’s first commandment to us, His children.  “Be fruitful and multiply”; but then His counsel takes an unusual twist in 1 Corinthians 7:34 where the Bible discusses the difference between the devotional concerns of a married person and an unmarried person, particularly their desire to devote themselves to the Lord.  Here are some verses to ponder:

1 Corinthians 7:32 says that “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.” NKJV    And a little later, Paul tells us why!  “And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” 1 Corinth. 7:35    Does that imply that when we are married, we are distracted from serving the Lord?!?!  Well, having been delightfully married twice, I can attest to having my attention divided between both the Lord and my sweethearts, my children and their requirements and needs.

We know that in the Beatitudes, Jesus gave us the most important perspective – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33  

When Martha and Mary had a disagreement, Jesus told Martha that Mary chose “that good part,” which emphasized devotion to Him over worldly concerns.  “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.  And in vs 39 reminds us that Mary prioritized devotion to Him over worldly concerns?  And then later in that message, Jesus speaks of putting allegiance to Him above even family relationships!!!  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27   I prefer to translate “hate” as “love less”!

The Apostle Timothy recognized the importance of devotion to the Gospel message.  “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4   Aren’t we soldiers of Christ, fighting for the Gospel message in this world?

In Psalm 16:8, Our Lord tells us how to live. “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”   So, where is the LORD?   How are we to deal with distractions?!?!

Where should our focus be?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2   Why is the world trying to distract us?

Let’s look again at 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 which wraps around our excerpt from v. 32.  “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.  But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.  And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.”   Paul is not saying marriage is wrong; but rather, He explains that marriage naturally brings additional earthly responsibilities and concerns, while the unmarried person can have greater freedom to fully concentrate on serving the Lord.

Points to ponder

How might the reasons for being unmarried be important?

Who wants us to be distracted?   A – Satan!

How important is our focus on serving the LORD?

Caring for a spouse/family might distract from our ministry to the Lord,
but we were also told to “Be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis 1:22. 
We have a choice!

♫  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 8, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”