When Obedience Doesn’t Make Sense
When I first began heeding the call in Scripture to “OBEY”, I lacked understanding for most things I was being called to do. Clean eating, wearing tassels, not eating bread for a week… not all of that made sense at first. However, I carried those things out in faith. In each thing I was faithful in, more understanding was given. The more understanding that was given, the more responsibility and call to higher obedience was given. Full submission and letting go of what my flesh wants is a constant battle that only gets harder- but through the increased challenges, more endurance is produced.
Take a moment to pause and reflect on each of those scenarios listed. Imagine the perspective of each person affected in each situation. Mothers, fathers, siblings, wives- no doubt they faced real emotions of fear, confusion, grief, times of silent (or not) questioning of what Yah was calling them to do, whether it made sense or not.
The Hebrew word for “faith” is not just an idea or concept (noun). It is “amanah” which is always associated with action. Faith leads to submission to Yah’s will and authority, and ultimately ends in obedience, no matter what our feelings and personal understandings may say.
We’ve discussed the intellect of Eve in our local fellowship’s women’s studies lately, and how she chose to eat the forbidden fruit based on what her sight, desire, and reasoning told her. (Don’t get me wrong, our intuition is a useful servant, but it’s a dangerous master.) Let’s contrast that to Mary the mother of Yahusha’s response to something that couldn’t have begun to make any sense to a young maiden.
For with Elohim nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of YHWH; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
-Luke 1:37-38
No questioning. Just “let your will be done”. I’ve always wondered, like the old song asks… Mary, did she know? How much did she know? What was it like to have to restrain the natural mama bear instincts to try and protect your baby from imminent danger? It’s difficult for me to imagine. Faith is often proven in the gap between what Yah said and what we currently understand.
Sometimes our intellect can try to get in the way of what Yah says to do and what makes sense. Alarm bells can be everywhere, yet we must remain within the bounds of our authority. Discernment is a gift, and not one to ignore. However, Yah has given us a model of structure to follow. Our unsubmitted gifts can become stumbling blocks, not just to ourselves, but others. Discernment can warn us, but it should not govern us. It is a gift to fully submit to Yah so that He can show us how to stay on guard and guide us alongside Him- but He retains control. The order He has established in the family unit, body of Messiah, and individual level is good, and perfect, and just. Every thought, feeling, or idea should be passed through those markers of authority. Just as we expect our children to come to us for permission or advice, we should go to our proper coverings. If not our husband, then the Messiah, as we are His bride. If physical representation is needed, He establishes upright leadership as He sees fit. Even secular leaders are put in place and removed by Him, how much more so our righteous leadership?
There seems to be a belief that if we perceive something wrong, we are automatically appointed to confront, expose, investigate, or involve ourselves in it. But throughout Scripture, many righteous people lived surrounded by corruption, idolatry, paganism, sorcery, oppression, and injustice without constantly inserting themselves into battles Yah had not assigned to them. Before the appointed time, they were not called to stage revolts, obsess over every evil practice, or become vigilante judges. They cried out to Yah, remained set apart, obeyed what He instructed, and trusted Him to judge Egypt in His timing. Even Moses himself had to learn this. Early on, he acted impulsively through his own righteous indignation and killed the Egyptian. Later, Yah sent him back under divine instruction and authority. Similarly, David could have killed Saul, but did not because it would have been out of order.
Wait on Him.
But they that wait upon YHWH shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
-Isaiah 40:31
There is a holy restraint throughout Scripture that modern culture often interprets as weakness, but it is actually faith and trust.
Not every true observation requires immediate action.
Not every offense requires a response.
Not every discernment means we are appointed judge, prosecutor, and executioner.
Peace does not come from controlling every situation. It comes from trusting Yah within situations we cannot control. Sometimes obedience looks less like “doing something” and more like:
- remaining submitted
- guarding our tongue and refusing gossip
- staying in our lane/appointed roles
- praying instead of worrying or meddling
- waiting for Yah’s timing
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”
-1 Peter 3:1-6
Meekness is strength under control. These great women of old who faithfully obeyed while remaining in their roles were beacons of strength, boldness, and courage. Sarah followed Abraham into uncertainty. Mary accepted public misunderstanding and mockery. David’s remaining family and friends fled all through the wilderness with him. The list could go on and on. These women were not fragile and voiceless. They weren’t foolishly ignoring red flags. They found a way to communicate their opinions and concerns without stepping outside of their authority or allowing their feelings to take control. They took their discernment and turned it into a weapon to battle in the spirit. They prayed for their husbands, families, and community. They took heed of the warning and put in the call for help to their Master. These hesitations and uncertainties can be from Yah, but when we allow them to lead to rebellion, contention, gossip, suspicion, bitterness, or disorder, that is when problems arise. We simply cannot allow our feelings to drive. We also can’t stuff them into the trunk- they can sit in the passenger seat as a co-pilot but it should stop there.
One of the disciples asked, “How shall we judge what people do, whether it be good or whether it be bad?”
Yahusha said, “If you are unsure whether a person’s actions be good or bad, incline in his favor. If anything may be interpreted favorably or otherwise, then interpret favorably. Do not seek for wrongdoing, like dogs chasing a foul smell. If a good man does something appearing to be bad, then withhold judgment, wondering whether there be some good motive behind it. Yet do not be easily hoodwinked. If one with a bad reputation does something seemingly good, question his motives, but bear in mind that no man is either wholly good or wholly evil.”
-Book of the Natsarim 3:24-25
To bring it all home: submission is not the topic. Faith is the topic. Submission is the evidence of real faith. The closer we get to the return of our Messiah, the more faith will be required to fully surrender to Yah’s will. We may think things do not make sense sometimes now, but I have a feeling that will only increase as the times grow darker. As a good friend of mine says, “Olympic-style obedience” is the requirement.
No matter what trials we face, it is imperative that we learn to heed the voice of our Master and King Yahusha, and to cleave to Him no matter what. Faith has never simply been believing Yah exists. Faith has always required surrender. It has always required action. It has always required trusting Him enough to obey before we fully understand.
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Adon of adonis, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
-Revelation 17:14
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