From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com Sent: Tuesday, November 4, 1997 11:17 PM To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup Subject: Re: EUNUCHS
---------- > From: heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com > To: Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> > Subject: Re: EUNUCHS > Date: Tuesday, November 04, 1997 10:53 AM > > From: Pamela Jackson > To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com > Subject: Re: EUNUCHS > > > > > From: "Pamela Jackson" > > To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com > > Subject: RE:EUNUCHS > > > > Greetings My sisters and brothers > > > > Dear Eddie > > > > There is a passage in the book of Matthews 19:12 that talks about >> being made eunchs. I understand it but there is point which isn't very > > clear to me. Its says that "some where made eunchs by men" can > > someone explain this part to me. And does the entire scripture > > refer only to men or does it also refer to women. > > > > I am a very young single women who really has no desire for > > marriage. I've never desired marraige however there is a deep > > desire to be used by God and to committ my entire life to him. > > > > Thanks in advance > > > > Pamela > > > > > > $$$$$$$ Eddie I didn't receive any feedback on this subject ..... > > ******************************************************************** > > > From: Jerry Baker > To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com > Subject: Re: EUNUCHS > > Dear Pamela, > > You have raised a very interesting question. First of all, the term > "eunuch" actually has several meanings not simply the one we usually > ascribe to it. Not only does it indicate one having been made > incapable of producing offspring, but equally it was a term applied > to high court officials weither they were a eunuch in the other > sense or not. > > Both of these definations can be applied to the passage of Matthew > 19:1-12. In all probability the first though is what is being dealt > with since this portion deals with the question of divorce. I > commend your desire to "committ your entire life to him" that is > what it takes. We must all give our entire life to Messiah! > > I would counsel you to not be so worried at this early time in your > young life with the question of weither to marry or not. It really > is not a descision to make at this time. I believe what you need to > be praying and seeking God over is what He has placed a calling in > your life to accomplish for Him. There are many things that the > "church" allows today that are forbidden according to the teachings > of scripture. As a very young woman you need to search out what > scripture teaches about the ministry of and for women. > > To answer your question about this scripture referring to men or to > men and women, I suppose one could streach the point to include > women as being able "to be made a eunuch" but I do not believe this > to be the case with this scripture. As you search out the ministry > that scripture teaches a woman may do you will find being called to > be a eunuch is not listed as one. > > You may remain unmarried, and there is NO SIN attached to it. You > may though at a later time feel diferently about this. Be as Paul > indicates in 1 Corinthians 7:1-17 content with your current position > what ever it may be as well as what ever it may become. > > May Messiah bless and watch over you. > > I remain His servant, > Jerry Baker > > ******************************************************************** > From: "Cherie Ching" To: <heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> Subject: Re: EUNUCHS Dear Pamela: >From an older (happily married) woman to a younger: your sincere heart for the Lord is obvious and wonderful. Your concern for pleasing Him shows through as well. To address Matthew 19:11: The disciples made a statement that if a man is not permitted to divorce his wife, but must cleave to her and be one flesh, it is better not to marry. Jesus addressed that statement with his response beginning "not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given..." He goes on to refer to eunuchs. In this case He is speaking of those who are born that way (physical abnormality), those who were made eunuchs by men (castration) and those who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven (put aside physical desire, and desire for marriage in order to be devoted entirely to ministry, as Jesus Himself did). Jesus emphasized "he who is ABLE to accept this. let him accept it." Since Jesus said that 'not all men can accept this, and he who is ABLE... it is obvious this is NOT the norm. It is an exception for men to put aside the desires of the flesh (sexual desire) for the ministry. It is not a requirement, and obviously a difficult thing. In the culture of Jesus' day, a man who remained unmarried WAS an abnormality and not entirely approved of, being considered somewhat less than a man (a eunuch). What does that mean to you, as a woman? Only that if you desire to serve God without marriage, and have no desire for marital union, it is unusual, but certainly acceptable. I think the scriptures more to the point, in the case of women, are the ones given in 1 Corinthians 7:32-40. You do well if you marry, you do well if you don't marry. In either case your first desire and devotion should be to the Lord, as you have said. The decision whether to marry or not to marry should be one made ENTIRELY with the Lord's leading. Your greatest ministry may be to a husband and children (it is a HIGH calling). On the other hand, you may be as Mother Theresa, devoted in ministry to strangers. But the most important thing, is to seek God's will, and follow His leading. You should make no vows, nor set your heart in stone regarding marriage. The Lord has promised to give us the desires of our heart when we delight ourselves in Him (Psalm 37:4-6). Accept this promise. Someday, should the Lord place a desire in your heart for marriage, follow His leading to the mate He has chosen. If you never desire a mate, accept that also as of the Lord. Either way, continue to follow Him with your whole heart and mind and spirit and you will have joy. Shalom, Cherie Ching ************************************************************************