Straight Talk About Headcovering...Part 1

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered [them] to you.
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman [is] the man; and the head of Christ [is] God.
Every man praying or prophesying, having [his] head covered, dishonoureth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with [her] head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
For a man indeed ought not to cover [his] head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
For this cause ought the woman to have power on [her] head because of the angels.
Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
For as the woman [is] of the man, even so [is] the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for [her] hair is given her for a covering.
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1 Corinthians 11:2-16, KJV

     There is much discussion today (and seemingly always has been) concerning the Christian woman and whether or not she should cover her head.  Some women are deeply convicted of this and do so 100% of the time, while others are passionately against it and refuse.  Still others fall anywhere along the spectrum between those two extremes.

     It is my intention here to offer a straight-forward, no-filler look at what THE BIBLE has to say about the subject.  There are many opinions floating around, but no one has the authority to command or require of us anything that scripture itself does not command or require.  We are held accountable to the authority of scripture, not man.

     As such, however, it is our responsibility to understand what the scripture says on the subject and to behave accordingly.  Anything less is both unwise and unfaithful to our King and Bridegroom.

     First, I'd like us to look at what scripture says.  The one and only passage where this is discussed in the Bible is above for your reference.

     The passage begins by reminding us of Adonai's order in our home.  The head of the man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man.  This traces back to the creation of woman from man, as also referenced in the passage.  This is the reason given for head-covering - that it would be a symbol of this order.  Thus, a man covering his head in prayer would be dishonoring his head/authority, Christ.  A woman who does not cover her head in prayer dishonors her head/authority, the man.  The rest is pretty much explanation and illustration.

     There is, however, one more thing the passage tells us.  Apparently, the head covering has something do with the angels.  This is not explained, so it's not possible to be dogmatic about what that may mean, though some inferences can be made based on history, apocryphal writings, etc.  However, this does indicate that there is much more going on that meets our eye.  There is somehow a significance in the spiritual realm, and this affects not only ourselves, but also the angels.  When we consider that it is specifically prayer and prophesying that we are discussing in the passage, it is safe to assume that this spiritual-realm-significance could very likely have a bearing on what it is we are trying to communicate or accomplish.

     Now, some brief notes about what scripture does NOT say.  I mention these because you will hear many of these things mentioned when you do your own research on this subject.  Again, my aim is to be straight-forward, clear, and balanced, so I'd like to point these out from the start.

     Scripture does not mention modesty!  Many people cite modesty as a reason for the practice, and while it is certainly modest (and while modesty is right and proper and important), that is not the reason given by scripture for women to cover our heads.  Scripture simply indicates head covering as a symbol of spiritual authority.  That is not to say that modesty points are invalid, and I especially value a man's input on how a woman's hair is viewed (and often lusted after) by men.  You can look for The Health Watchman on YouTube to find a man's point of view on the subject.  Head covering is, indeed, very modest, and that's a very good thing.  It simply isn't the reason Paul tells us to practice this is the Bible.

     Scripture also does not say "hair" covering.  Some teach that your hair cannot be visible at all or only a certain amount of hair can show.  This seems to me to be personal preference or opinion, but not based on a scriptural requirement.  We are not required to obey commands not found in scripture!  If you prefer or have a conviction of a certain style of covering, that is fine, but that cannot be imposed on others biblically.  The scripture says the head is to be covered.  Past that, it's pretty much left up to us for the details.

     Scripture does not indicate that a covering must be worn at all times.  We are told to wear them for prayer and prophesying.  Many women choose to wear them full-time because of personal conviction, or because of the biblical command to "pray without ceasing."  (1 Thessalonians 5:17)  And while I find these views valid, again, we cannot command anything beyond what scripture commands.  I would ask you to consider, however, since Paul was speaking to a congregation if this might not also include worship...  Just something to think about.

     Also, the scripture does not say that this applies only to certain women.  Many teach that this is only for married women.  However, the word used here for woman in the Greek applies to a woman of any age, whether virgin, married, widowed, whatever.  You can simply reference your Strong's Concordance to see this or visit www.blueletterbible.org to view it online.

     This is certainly not an exhaustive study of the verse, but it should hopefully give a clear platform from which you can study further online.  There are many videos on YouTube as well as independent websites that discuss this matter.  Have at it!

     I would be remiss, however, if I did not mention the last verse.  This causes some stumbling because Paul seems to indicate that the churches do not have this custom.  I admit, this verse confuses me a bit, too, but we should be very careful about being dismissive.  That final "dismissive" verse speaks of those who would be contentious.  As children of the Most High, we are certainly not meant to be in that group!  Furthermore, it doesn't otherwise make sense for Paul to give an instruction for the church to follow, then wipe it clean in the next verse.  Don't be contentious!  Seek Adonai for yourself concerning this matter!

   In part 2, I will share with you  my experience in head covering - good and bad.  In the mean time, go to YouTube and look into some of the many videos on this subject.  You might be surprised what you find!  Also, give it a test drive!  Just drape a scarf or bandana over your head when you pray tonight.  See if it makes a difference and ask the Father to speak to you about what He thinks! :)

The Mountain In Our Way

In the book of Exodus, we read how the Children of Israel were delivered by YHWH from their bondage in Egypt.  We read about the lamb's blood that was applied to their door posts as a sign to the death angel to pass over that house.  We know that our Lamb is Yeshua (Jesus), and that His blood likewise covers us and saves us from the curse of death, preserving us to be delivered by YHWH.

Years later, we read how Israel is being escorted into their Promised Land.  They are crossing the Jordan river with YHWH's help, and finally settling into their home, their promise.  As believers, we know that our promise, too, is waiting.  We will one day cross into that promise and our true home.

We are aware that the story of God's children in the Old Testament is a shadow of the story of His children in Messiah.

What we do not seem to be aware of, however, is the mountain in the way.

You see... The children of Israel were not delivered directly out of Egypt into the Promised Land.  There was a very  long journey through which they were drawn closer to their God (YHWH) before receiving their promise.

The first stop on the journey (after being delivered through the Red Sea)?  It was Mount Sinai.  At Mount Sinai YHWH spoke directly to the people until they, not being able to stand in the fearfulness of the event, asked Moses to be their spokesman.

We are taught that the Torah (meaning "instruction" but misrepresented as "law") of YHWH was given at Mount Sinai, and indeed it was.  But that was not all.

At Mount Sinai the blessings were pronounced; blessings that YHWH's people would receive as a result of obedience to His instructions.

At Mount Sinai, likewise, the curses were pronounced that they would receive through disobedience.

But most importantly, at Mount Sinai, one question was asked of them.  Do you accept the terms of this covenant?  Will you be My people and I your God?

They answered unanimously, "Yes!"  They agreed to the terms - Torah.  They agreed to the benefits and the consequences that YHWH laid before them.  They CHOSE Him to be their God and they CHOSE to be His people.

Why have we as believers today chosen to ignore this part of the story?  The mountain lies between Egypt and the Promised Land.  The covenant lies between salvation and promise.

It seems we always make one of 2 fatal errors...

Either

1.  We appropriate the blood of the Lamb to ourselves (apply it to our doorposts) and claim our salvation believing from that moment that we are free and without "masters".  We then walk a spiritual desert throughout our lives and wonder where this promise is.... Where are all the blessings we are supposed to have?

Or..

2.  We find ourselves at Sinai and we, too, answer to YHWH, "You will be my God, and I will be yours," but yet trample the terms of the covenant we have just made.  We are told (and it is a lie) that these Instructions (Torah) no longer apply, so we live how we see fit never once realizing we are heaping curses on ourselves because of the commitment we made with our words.

We would do well to consider a few points.

1.  The covenant was NEVER without condition.  Covenants never are.  Have you ever known a marriage without conditions?  No!  When we marry we commit solely to one another.  We can not do as we please, breaking our commitment, and then act as if we don't know what the problem is.  Likewise the Word of YHWH has made His covenant clear, though we may chose to disregard its teachings.  In doing so, we commit adultery against our God, and we act as though we are entitled to our own ways.

2.  The covenant was NEVER changed.  This is often taught today, but it is a lie.  Scripture clearly says otherwise.  When YHWH Himself mentions the "new covenant" He will make with men, He says He will put "My law on their hearts." (See Jer. 31:33)  The covenant was renewed with the blood of Messiah, but not rewritten.  All conditions still apply.  Messiah's blood allows us to be delivered from the world (Egypt) and return to the God that we betrayed.  That is the meaning of "redeem" - to bring back to the original owner.  Messiah Himself warned us against teaching the law was not longer valid in Matthew 5:17-18.  He also warns against lawlessness in the context of final judgment. (See Luke 13:27)  Ask yourself this.... Where in scripture does YHWH give us the option the 2nd time?  Where does He ask, "Do you accept these new terms to be my people?" and give the people the chance to respond?

3.  Exacto knives are not for scripture!  To accept the exodus story and the account of the Promised Land as pertaining to us then reject Mount Sinai is to simply accept only the parts of scripture we like.

4.  Scripture itself speaks many times on the law of YHWH being perfect and wonderful and a blessing.  Yet today, we teach it is a curse and we reject it outright.  Could it be that the enemy has tricked us into rejecting the covenant itself or at the very least being cursed by it?  Our teachings do not echo the teachings of scripture.  It is time to re-think them.

We are saved by faith in Yeshua, His blood having redeemed us to YHWH.  There is nothing we can do to earn that or repay it - it is a free gift.

But we are redeemed into the covenant!  Do you think it is coincidence that scripture speaks of us as his bride?  Does the King's bride act in any impetuous way she pleases?  Or does she please her husband?  Think of Esther!

I believe YHWH is bringing His people back to Mount Sinai.  This is the time where we are given the terms and asked, "Will you be mine?"  We will all have to answer that questions for ourselves, but we will live with the answer we give.

It is time we put erroneous teaching aside and got back to seeking our God and coming to know Him.  We need to get back in His Word, back into prayer, and back into covenant.  Only then will we be pleasing to Him and will we rightfully be able to claim the blessings of scripture.

Be blessed, my friend.

Learning or Teaching Hebrew?

As a Torah observant homeschool mom, I try to teach my children Bible truth along with their traditional studies.  This includes teaching them Hebrew, though I myself am learning along with them.

Along the way, I have discovered how to install (and almost use) the Hebrew keyboard on my laptop.  Today, I put that skill to good use!

I've created large Hebrew Aleph-Bet cutouts to use in my lessons.  I intend to laminate mine, but they could also be used for coloring and other activities.  The file includes sofit letters (those letters whose forms are altered when occuring as the final letter in a word) and vowels (which are not usually written in the language, but very helpful for learning).

I know many of my fellow Torah observant moms are also homeschooling, so I want to pass this along.  I hope it helps you.  Feel free to share far and wide!

Hebrew Aleph-Bet Cutouts for Homeschool!

All homeschool moms need all the support they can get!  If you know of other great Torah resources, please share them in the comments.

YHWH bless and keep you!