1 Corinthians Lesson 9

I Corinthians

Lesson 9

God's Chain of Authority,

Hi again! And, welcome back to this Study of 1 Corinthians. In this lesson we will be looking at Chapter 11 of a letter from Paul to the Church in Corinth, Greece.

I am sure that by now you are well aware that the members (called "baby Christians" by Paul) of this young Church had many problems, most of which were due to their immaturity (hence the name "baby Christians") or because they either did not know or did not obey the teachings which Paul and others had given them during the 3 short years their Church had been in existence.

In this part of the letter, Paul addresses some of these problems and expands upon and clarifies some of the instructions and teachings which he had previously given them.

So, without further ado, let's begin by first reading what Paul told them them in this part of the letter (Chapter 11). Read the following verses (printed here for you or you may use your own Bible). We will not mark anything this time. Just read what Paul is saying to them. Then, after you finish, we will do some marking and thinking. But, for now, we just want to see what Paul is going to discuss in this section.

Ok. That is your Assignment. So... start reading!

1 Corinthians 11

1. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

2. I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings,

just as I passed them on to you.

_______________________________________________

3. 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.

4. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

5. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head--it is just as though her head were shaved. 6. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. 7. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9. neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head. 11. In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. 13. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14. Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15. but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice--nor do the churches of God.

_______________________________________________

17. In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.

18. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. 20. When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, 21. for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. 22. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!

_______________________________________________

23. For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,

24. and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,

"This is my body, which is for you;

do this in remembrance of me."

25. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,

"This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this,

whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

26. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. 33. So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. 34. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come I will give further directions.

Wow! Paul certainly covered a lot of ground in just a few short verses! And, you likely observed that some of the things that Paul discusses with them are still controversial today. Indeed, what Paul told them almost 2000 years ago is still very relevant to us today ! Do you 'reckon we are "slow learners" or are also "baby Christians", or, (gasp), even stubborn and unwilling to give up "doing things our way"? Oh, surely not ! Hmmmmm.

Anyway, now that you have the big picture of what Paul was discussing, let's go back and look at some of these "controversial" and contentious things in more detail.

And, as we do this, let's mark some words. So, reread Chapter 11, and, as you read, mark these words: (Remember, these colors and symbols are only suggestions. You may use them or any others of your preference.)

authority ... put a PURPLE Circle around every occurrence of this word

glory .........put a YELLOW Circle around every occurrence of this word

honors .....put a GREEN Circle around every occurrence of this word.

dishonors...put a BLACK Circle around every occurrence of this word

cover (covering, covers)...Put a TURQUOISE semi-circle on the top of these words

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Pause while you do this assignment <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Great! I see you have finished. And we will discuss some of the things about which I am sure you are wondering, but, first we need to do another "assignment" -- which is: now, go back and read the entire passage again, yes again, this time marking these words:

proclaim ......draw an Orange (gold) horn or trumpet on this word

unworthy ......put a BLACK JAGGED BOX around this word

examine .......put a Big Purple Exclamation Mark on each use of this word.

judgment (judged) ...draw a Brown Judge's Gavel on each use of the words

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Pause while you do this assignment <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

Hmmmmm. Now that was not quite as controversial or puzzling as the first half of this chapter, yet I am sure you have several questions about this section also. So, keep your thinking cap on, because we are going to need it. For, as you are likely well aware, much of what is discussed in this short chapter has caused much "debate" and "controversy" down through the ages.

And, you likely noticed that what Paul said really falls into 3 main sections. Look back at Chapter 11 and, in the space below, briefly summarize what each of these 3 main divisions (topics, subjects) are:

1. (11:3-16) ___________________________________________

2. (11:17-22) __________________________________________

3. (11:23-34) __________________________________________

Great! Good thinking! And you are off to a good start in beginning to understand this chapter. However, you probably included more in your "summary" than you really had to. But, that is OK. I tend to get carried away and include a lot of information in my "summary statements", too. But, this time, I shortened my "summaries" for simplicity.

So! What did I write for my summary statements?, you ask. Well, this is how I "titled" these 3 sections. 1. Authority and submission to authority; 2. The wrong way to observe the Lord's supper; 3. The correct way to observe the Lord's supper and what happens if you don't.

If your wording was not exactly like mine, not to worry. Just see if you were in the "ballpark", and, if you were talking generally about the same things, you were correct. For example, you might have gotten "carried away" in describing the first section and said things about the hair, head coverings, etc. That is ok. You were still understanding that the concept was about authority and submission.

By the way, did you notice the lines at these division locations in this chapter? Stupid question, I know you did. Well, go back now and write on those lines the "headings" or summary statements. You can either use what you wrote, or what I wrote, or a combination of the two, but do put the "titles" in now as this will help us keep these topics in perspective as we study them.

OK, now that you have titled these sections, let's begin to look at each of these briefly. And, we will begin, obviously with the first section -- the section concerning Authority and Submission, verses 3-16.

Paul began by simply stating some well known and non debatable FACTS about the Chain of Authority.

In the space below, list the order of "authority" from the top down. And, in addition to the "word", draw a symbol, such as a picture of a man or of a woman (stick figures will do if you are "artistically challenged"). I will begin this for you to show you how to do this. And, my symbol for God the Father is a BLUE TRIANGLE.

The Chain of Authority as decreed by God

Great! And, this is a vivid illustration of the "chain of command" ("chain of authority") which God has ordained. This is not "man's idea"; this is God's plan! So, with that stated in concrete, let's continue.

We know that God is head over everything and we are told in 11:3 that the Head of Christ is God the Father. Does this mean that Christ actually submitted to God the Father and did what The Father told Him to do ??? Before you answer that question, let's look at some Scriptures which will shed light on that concept. As you read these verses, when you find information to help you answer that question, underline or highlight it in RED.

Philippians 2:3-1

3. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7. but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 9. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11. and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 14

(

Let me set the scene for you concerning this passage. This occurred on the night of Jesus' betrayal (the same night of the "Lord's supper" about which we will soon be studying in this lesson) and just before departing for the events that led to the Crucifixion of Christ. /

9. Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? 10. Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. 15. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity) to be with you forever-- 17. the (Holy) Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 22. Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" 23. Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25. "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 28. "You heard me say, `I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30. I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31. but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave.

John 3:14-18

To put you into context: These words were spoken early in Jesus' ministry, about 3 years before His sacrificial death for us.

14. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15. that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Now let me ask that question again:

We know that God is head over everything and we are told in 11:3 that the Head of Christ is God the Father; does this mean that Christ actually submitted to God the Father and did what The Father told Him to do ? ____________

In the space below, list or show HOW Christ submitted to God the Father: (Give the scripture locations where you "found" your answer)

/ /

Yes, Christ indeed did obey His Father ! What a concept! God submitting to God! This boggles one's mind. Why would Jesus do such a thing? (Hold that thought for now). And, does this mean that Christ is inferior to God the Father? __________

Is Christ the Son equal with God the Father? ___________

In the space below, based on the scriptures you just read, show or explain how Christ is NOT inferior to God the Father, and, in fact, what is Christ's "position" relative to the Father. (As always, give the scripture locations where you "find" your answer)

Now, for the "biggee"! Did you discover WHY Jesus submitted to His Father and obeyed Him? (i.e.. What was the purpose? What was the reason? What were God the Father and Jesus His Son intending to accomplish by this?) Write your answer in the space below and give verses which support your answer.

Correct. Indeed, these scriptures (and there are others) show us that Christ did submit to God the Father, and these same scriptures (and there are also others) affirm that the Father and Jesus are equal in their authority. So, Christ is not inferior to God the Father! They are both God. In fact, God the Father and Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are ONE God; They are the Trinity, One God in three persons. But, we will NOT go into that now. That is another topic for another time.

And the reason Christ submitted Himself to God the Father was so that there could be / would be a perfect sinless sacrifice to pay the required death penalty for our sins ! If Jesus had not submitted, if He had not come to earth and been born and died and resurrected as the substitute sacrifice for our sins, then ALL of us would be helpless to obtain salvation or to be freed from the penalty of death which we owe for our sins. Wow! What LOVE ! Thank you Jesus!

Now, you may be thinking that we are spending a lot of time on this one verse, verse 3, and on this point of the relationship of God the Father and Jesus and why Jesus submitted to His Father. But we are doing this because it is the key to being able to understand what Paul tells us in verses 4-16 about submission and authority. So, IF you understand the submission of Christ to God, even when Christ was also God and equal with God, you will better understand the points that Paul will be making concerning the relationship of man and woman, and of man to God, and of woman to God. (Do I see a light bulb lighting up in your brain already? Good! And, keep thinking.)

Does 1 Corinthians 11:3 teach that we (men and women) are equal with God? _______________

Of course not! This passage is NOT teaching that we (men and women) are God or that we are equal with God or that we will ever be or ever can be God or equal with God. Only God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are God (One God in Three Persons, the Trinity).

But this section (verses 3-16) is teaching about the chain (the line) of authority that God has decreed. And it is teaching about the awesome rights, privileges, opportunities, and responsibilities that God gives us through His Son, Jesus.

God the Father and Jesus have total and unequivocal authority over man. And, Jesus is the direct authority over man in this line of command.

Jesus has this direct authority over man and mankind because it is Jesus Who, by His death as our sacrifice, provided the way for our direct and unhindered access to the throne of God the Father. It is only because of what Jesus did for us that we can actually go directly to God's throne and talk to The Father (now OUR FATHER) about our problems, cares, concerns, desires, ... anything! Imagine that!

Continue looking at verse 3. We see that God is the head of Jesus. Who is the head of man? _____________

And who is the head of woman? _____________

Now , look at the rest of the section (11:3-16). Who is the image and glory of God? _____________

And who is the image and glory of Man? ____________

And, according to these verses, when looking at the relationship of man and woman to the LORD, is the man independent of woman? _______ Is woman independent of man? _________

What is their relationship, then, to the Lord? (i.e.. can both man and woman come to the Lord and fellowship with Him?) _______

Yes, they can both come to the Lord, independently of each other BUT, when man comes to the Lord and fellowships with Him (prays to Him, etc.), does man have to have his head covered? _______ Why?

When woman comes to the Lord and fellowships with Him (prays to Him, etc.), does she have to have her head covered? ________ . Why? (Hint: When a woman covers her head, what does the covering "represent" ?)

Yes, you are correct. The covering on a woman's head signifies that she acknowledges the fact that there is a chain of command. She is acknowledging that there is an "intervening" person (a man -- either her husband or her father, if she is unmarried, or some other man, such as a pastor, deacon, elder, older brother, or etc. if the husband or father is dead or gone) between the woman and the Lord God Jesus Christ. That "man", who is her intervening authority in the chain of authority, is represented by that covering. It is as simple as that. It is not a hindrance to fellowship with God. It is simply an acknowledgment that she recognizes that there is a chain of authority and that she is submitting to it.

Though it was not mentioned in this passage, where in this chain of authority do you think children would "go"?

Yes, you are correct. The children would be in the chain and UNDER the authority of their parents, so you could draw another "layer" in that graphic chart and place the children under the woman and she is under man and he is under Jesus and Jesus is under the Father. Now, as far as we know, children don't have anything specific to wear. (perhaps dunce caps? since, according to most parents, they are "brain damaged"... JUST KIDDING !!!!!).

But, enough of this "childish humor", back to the topic at hand.

In the days of Paul and the "First Church of Corinth", the way a man showed his submission and acceptance of this chain of command was by worshipping with his head ________________

And, the way a woman showed her submission and acceptance of this chain of command was by having long hair and wearing a covering.

Times have changed since then and, few men today wear hats. However, those that do still remove their hat when they enter a church to worships.

Similarly, things are different now in the outward expression of the woman's submission. For, today, in the 21st Century, women often wear short hair and almost no woman wears a hat or covering anymore (though, some still do, of course).

Does the fact that almost no one wears head coverings anymore mean that the requirement of God that woman recognize her place in the chain of authority has been canceled and is no longer necessary or that man doesn't understand the meaning of "removing his hat"? _________

You are correct, if you said that the chain of authority has not been canceled, although the WAY that one shows their submission and acknowledgment of the chain of authority may vary from culture to culture and century to century. But whatever the time and whatever the culture, recognition, acceptance, and acknowledgment of one's place in God's chain of authority is still essential for all, men and women.

So, that being said, HOW should a woman today show that she understands, acknowledges, and accepts her God given place in this chain of authority? Is there something she should wear, or not wear, or do, or not do, or what? Think about this. And then write your answer in the space below, explaining why you answered as you did.

So, we see that Jesus submitted to God the Father, and, since there is no person between the Son and the Father, the Son (Jesus) does not wear a head covering.

Similarly, man (the husband, or father, or elder, or etc.) submits to Jesus (but, since there is no one between him and Jesus, there is also no need for any type of head covering because Jesus is the covering for the man. Jesus is the one who is the authority over man and is man's assigned protector. Indeed, if the man left his hat ON when coming to God Jesus, this would signify that he was placing someone or something in a position of authority and protection between himself and God and this would never do. So man also comes before God Jesus without a covering, thus indicating that Jesus is the one to whom He is under submission and Who is his protector.

The woman, since she is under the authority of man, in Paul's day, wore the covering to serve as a "picture" of her acceptance of this authority. By doing this, she let God and society know that she understands and accepts her position in the chain of command. Yes, a woman can come to God independently. But, wearing the covering signifies that she knows that there is a man (her father, husband, pastor, etc) who is her authority (her covering, the one who protects her) and that covering (protection) is man, who in turn is protected and advised and directed by Jesus.

Today, in the 21st Century, women usually do not wear a head covering when worshiping or praying. But, they still can and must acknowledge their place of submission in the chain of command by doing the things that are considered to be appropriate for the culture and society of the one who is showing and affirming their submission to authority. For example, she will be modest in her clothing and makeup and will wear hair styles that are feminine. She will have "eyes" only for her husband and everyone knows it. She does not not do anything (in dress or action or in any way) which would entice one to sin. This modesty was alluded to in the reference to the shaved heads in 11:6. In Paul's days, prostitutes and worldly women would shave their heads and wear blonde wigs, thus "telling the world" of their "availability".

So, yes, the wearing of a head covering today would definitely be consistent with the teachings of 1 Corinthians 11. But, since we now understand that there are freedoms in Christ (as we learned in the previous lesson), we now know that it is not the head covering (scarf , hat, cap, whatever) that is essential. But, it is essential that a woman acknowledges the fact that she is in submission to her husband or man in authority over her in whatever way submission is acknowledged in the culture of her day..

Therefore, today a woman might wear a head covering as in Paul's day. Or, she may, instead, show and affirm her submission by her lifestyle, actions, obedience, feminine appearance, modesty in clothing, and etc. Her actions, then, whether being that of wearing a head covering or that which is exhibited by her lifestyle are what reveal to the world around her that she is submitting to the authority of the man in her life who is her covering, God searches the heart and knows if she has a literal or "figurative" covering on her head.

How about you, ladies? Are you in submission to your husband? You should be. This is God's command.

Or for those of you who are never married and still have a living father, he is your covering. Have you acknowledged this?

And, those of you who are divorced or who are widows or whose fathers have left them or died, have you a covering, a man who is your authority (a pastor, elder, brother, etc.) to whom you turn for spiritual guidance and protection? You should.

And the beautiful part of all of this is that this having of a covering is NOT meant to be a put down. It is intended by God to be a form of protection for all women. They truly are the weaker sex. God truly does want to protect them from harm. That is why God has placed them in this position in the chain of command. It is for woman's good! What a wonderful Father He is. What a wonderful Lord and Husband, Jesus is! And, even though women are to be under this covering of protection, still the woman can go directly to God with her problems and joys, tears and laughter, while under the covering of her intervening responsible protector, the man God has placed in her life! Astounding.

So this is not a male chauvinist thing. This is for the protection of woman !

And men, this is why it is sooooooo important that you assume the position of head ship in your marriage, in your family, for your unmarried sisters, etc.. For this is God's plan. It is His desire to bless your family through you! If you fail to submit to the Lord Jesus and if you fail to be the covering (the protection, the guide, the comforter, etc) of your wife and family, you have disobeyed God. You are out from under His chain of authority and therefore are out of His perfect will. A word to the wise should be sufficient.

This, then, as you have correctly discovered, is the meaning of, and the reason for, God's Chain of authority. It is really for our good. By being in this line of authority, God can and does pass down His wisdom, advice, protection, etc. through the man to the wife and through her, to the children (if any).. So this Chain of authority is NOT a bad thing, as so many would want to make it out to be. In reality it is a wonderful plan in which God intends to provide direction, care, comfort, protection, etc. to all who remain in that line and who do not "break ranks" and go out and try to "make it on their own".

Well, I had originally intended to continue this lesson by next studying the Agape Feast and then the Lord's Supper. But, let's do that in the next lesson. Why? Well, because we have covered some pretty "meaty" material (this was definitely NOT a "milk" lesson), and it would be best if we not hurry on to the next topics. Rather, let's stop now and reflect upon what we have studied and learned.

So, your closing assignment for this lesson is to look at your position in the chain of Authority. Put a circle around YOU (either around the "stick man" or the "stick woman". Then, in the remaining moments of this lesson, evaluate your life:

If you are a man doing this lesson, ask yourself: Am I listening to the Lord Jesus Christ for ALL the direction for my life and for the life of my family and of those "under" me in this chain of command. Am I taking care of them? Am I doing for them what the Lord wants me to do? Am I the Spiritual leader for them that God wants me to be? Am I praying daily for them? Am I showing them how to be saved and introducing them to Christ? Am I showing them how to live a Godly life by being a Godly role model for them? When they look at me and my life, do they see Jesus living in me? Do I have love, care, compassion, and concern for my wife and all those for whom I am the "covering"? Am I ...

Well, you get the idea. So, stop now and think on these things. Spend some time talking to God about your responsibilities and how to do them. Take all the time you need. This is very important.

And, while the men are thinking about their role and responsibilities as a covering, let's now speak to you women, who are doing this study!

Ladies, if you are married or if you are going to be married one day, do you understand that your husband is your covering? Do you acknowledge that he is the one who is responsible for the family and not you. It is he who is to listen to God and to make the final decisions! Yes, you can make suggestions and give him "wise advice" (and women do have wise advice) but, it is he who has to answer to God for the mistakes and failures. Your position in the chain of authority is not over him and not even beside him but it is to be under him. He is to be the "man of the house". Let him be that, even if he doesn't seem to be a good "candidate" for this job. Pray for him. Give him the freedom to lead. Encourage him. But do not usurp him. Let God deal with him if he is not "perfect". I could continue on, but you get the point. So, wives, stop now and spend the closing minutes of this lesson examining your degree of submission to your husband. Talk to God about it and let God help you to completely let your husband be your total covering and quit trying to slip out at the edges and "fix things". Take all the time you need. It is as difficult for a woman today to let the man assume his God assigned tasks as it is for the man to recognize and do them. But if you and he get these things into proper perspective and do as the Lord directs in this matter, you will be astounded and amazed at the difference it will make in your marriage relationship! Let God be God. Let Jesus be the head of your husband and let your husband be your head. 'nuff said. Now think on these things.

And, you ladies who are "never marrieds", or divorced, or widowed, you, too, are given a covering by God. So, accept God's protection for you -- either through your father, or a pastor, elder, older brother, wise uncle, or whomever the Lord places over you. Then, as with the exhortations above, let this person be your spiritual covering. Let him give you direction and advice re finances, health, whatever.

And for all of us, both men and women, know and understand that, even though there IS a chain of authority, we sill ALL have free access to God the Father at any time. As we go to the Father with our cares and concerns, joys and praises, whatever, just remember to approach him with your covering intact (literally or figuratively, he knows your heart) and spend time with Him. He cares for you! Let Him!

So, now, let us ALL think on these things.

Get this "chain of authority" concept firmly fixed in your mind.

Understand that this is not just a "suggestion" from the Lord God.

Rather, this is His heart's desire for you.

Take all the time you need.

And we will continue our study of Chapter 11 in the next lesson.

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