SHOULD WOMEN PRAY WITH THEIR HEADS COVERED?
11:1Be
imitators of me, even as I also am of Messiah. 11:2Now
I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the
traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 11:3But
I would have you know, that the head of every man is Messiah, and the head of
the woman is the man, and the head of Messiah is the Mighty One. 11:4Every man praying or prophesying, having
his head covered, dishonors his head. 11:5But
every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head.
For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. 11:6For if a woman is not covered, let her also
be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be
covered. 11:7For a man indeed ought
not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of the Mighty
One, but the woman is the glory of the man. 11:8For
man is not from woman, but woman from man; 11:9for
neither was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. 11:10For this cause the woman ought to have
authority on her head, because of the angels. 11:11Nevertheless,
neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman,
in the Master. 11:12For as the woman
is from the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are from the
Mighty One. 11:13Judge for
yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to the Mighty One unveiled?
11:14Doesn't even nature itself teach
you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 11:15But if a woman has long hair, it is a
glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. 11:16But if any man seems to be contentious, we
have no such custom, neither do the Mighty One's assemblies.
Imitate Shaul ONLY As He Imitates The Messiah
In 11:1, Shaul urges his audience to imitate him as he imitates the Messiah. In other words, he was not urging them to imitate him in a manner whereby he did not imitate the Messiah. Therefore, if Shaul was engaging in a practice that did not imitate the Messiah, he was not urging his audience to imitate him in such a practice.
Become Aware Of The Messiah's Conduct
It was therefore incumbent upon his audience to determine whether his conduct was like that of the Messiah. And to do this his audience had to be aware of the Messiah's conduct. Therefore, if his audience was already aware of the Messiah's conduct, and was already aware that they needed to imitate the Messiah, they did not need Shaul between them and the Messiah. For they would just do as the Messiah did, being already aware of the Messiah's conduct.
Simply Imitate The Messiah With No Human Intermediary
It should therefore be noted that the important point here is that believers should imitate the Messiah's conduct. They need no man or other entity between them and the Messiah. They should simply become aware of the Messiah's conduct, and imitate him. If they decide to imitate someone else, they should be careful not to imitate that other person in a manner contrary to the Messiah's conduct. In other words, the Messiah's conduct determines for them the boundaries of acceptable conduct.
What Traditions Did Shaul Deliver To The Corinthian
Brethren?
11:2 shows that Shaul praised the Corinthian brethren for holding firm the traditions that he had delivered to them. What traditions were these? Were these traditions within the bounds determined by the Messiah's conduct? Or were some of them outside those bounds?
Shaul's Words On Authority Apparently In Harmony With
The Messiah's
Shaul's message in 11:3 appears to be in harmony with the Messiah's words. Yahweh the Mighty One is in authority over the Messiah, who is in authority over all men, who are individually in authority over their wives and unmarried daughters.
How Does A Man Dishonour His Head By Praying With His
Head Covered?
In 11:4 Shaul states that every man praying or prophesying having his head covered dishonours his head. How does such a man dishonour his head? Which head does he dishonour - the Messiah? And is this concept one that Shaul received from the Messiah? For if he did, all men should abide by it. Also, is it a concept within the bounds determined by the Messiah's conduct? For only those concepts within the bounds of the Messiah's conduct should be abided by. What did the Messiah say concerning this matter?
How Does A Woman Dishonour Her Head By Praying With
Her Head Uncovered?
In 11:5 Shaul states that every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonours her head, equating an unveiled head in prayer or prophesying to a shaven head. How does such a woman dishonour her head? Which head does she dishonour - her husband, or father, or the Messiah? And is this tradition that Shaul is espousing here one derived from the Messiah? If so, where did the Messiah espouse such a concept?
Shaul's Words On This Matter Inconsistent!
It should also be noted that consistency appears to be lacking in this matter, with respect to the conduct of men and of women. For Shaul says that if a man prays or prophesies with his head covered he dishonours his head. But if a woman does the same she does not dishonour her head. Why should it be the case that a man dishonours his head by praying or prophesying with his head covered, and it not be the case for a woman to do likewise? Is it the case that the law for a man is here different from that of a woman? And if so, why?
It should also be noted that in 11:3 Shaul laid down the authority structure with respect to Yahweh the Mighty One, Yah'shuah the Messiah, men and women. In laying out the authority structure as pertaining to these entities, Shaul showed a consistency. Yahweh head over Yah'shuah. Yah'shuah head over men. Men head over women. But in the matter of praying with covered heads Shaul does not retain the same consistency! For what is applicable to man is not to woman, and vice versa!
Why this inconsistency?
And what is Shaul's view with respect to the Messiah praying or prophesying with his head covered? Does he, having been a man, dishonour his head - Yahweh - by praying with his head covered? Do we have scriptural citations showing him praying or prophesying after his resurrection, and also showing whether or not his head was covered?
What Attribute Of Women's Hair Is Inconsistent With
Its Exposure During Prayer Or Prophesying?
In 11:6 Shaul states that if a woman is not covered, she should be shorn of her hair, and thereby pray or prophesy with a shaven head. This suggests that there is some attribute attached to women's hair on their head, an attribute inconsistent with praying or prophesying. It also suggests that this inconsistent attribute is overlooked or covered by the veiling of a woman's hair. If so, what is this inconsistent attribute?
What Is The Spiritual Purpose And Significance Of
Hair?
And why is it the case that men's hair do not have the same attribute? In fact, it appears that men's hair have the opposite attribute, for if they pray or prophesy veiling or covering their hair, they are deemed by Shaul to dishonour their head! Therefore I ask again, why the inconsistency? And what is the purpose and spiritual meaning of hair, both for men and for women?
In 11:6 Shaul accepts that it might be deemed shameful, by some, if women are shorn of their hair. To avoid putting them in shame, their heads should be covered, the veiling of their hair having the same effect as the removal or shearing of their hair. But if it is not deemed shameful for a woman to have her hair shorn, Shaul's word is that she should be shorn!
Again I ask, what is this key attribute about hair, especially the distinction between a man's hair and a woman's hair?
Shaul's Words Imply That Hair Is A Mark Or Symbol Of
Authority
In 11:7 Shaul states that the reason a man ought not to have his head covered is because he is the image and glory of the Mighty One. But a woman, not being the image and glory of the Mighty One, but that of man, must have her head covered.
In other words, to reflect man's greater status over woman, he is not to have his head covered. To reflect woman's lesser status in relation to man, she is to have her head covered.
This implies that hair is a mark of authority.
It also implies that a woman who has an unshorn or uncovered head is effectively not submitting herself to man's authority.
But if it is the case that a woman with an unshorn or uncovered head is effectively not submitting herself to man's authority, why is it not the case that a man with an unshorn or uncovered head is likewise effectively not submitting himself to the Messiah's authority? Why should it be the reverse for men? What is the explanation for this inconsistency?
In 11:10 Shaul says that because woman came from man, and was created for man, she ought to have authority on her head. This authority on her head symbolised by her having her head shorn or covered - without visible hair! Why doesn't the same apply to the man, seeing the similarity of his relationship to the Mighty One that the woman has to man?
Shaul Does Not Explain The Significance Of Angels In
This Matter Of Praying With One's Head Covered
In 11:10 Shaul says that the second reason for a woman having her head covered or shorn is because of angels. But he does not show how angels come into this picture of man's authority relationship with woman, and the Mighty One's authority relationship with man. Or does he mean the Mighty One's authority relationship with angels? And if so, what is the connection? And how is it all explained?
Shaul's comments in 11:11-12 do not answer the question raised here above. They also appear to discount any notion of women being required to have shorn or covered heads with a like relationship between Yahweh and the angels, and that between man and woman. For Yahweh does not come from angels and is independent of angels. Yet angels were created by Yahweh and are dependent on Yahweh. Shaul's comments here about angels therefore do not appear to shed light on his comments about women being required to have shorn or covered heads.
How Should Shaul's Audience Judge In This Matter?
In 11:13 Shaul asks his audience to judge for themselves, whether it is appropriate for women to pray to the Mighty One unveiled.
How should his audience judge for themselves? On what basis?
If they are to judge using the traditions Shaul delivered to them, a tradition that Shaul has not clearly explained here, then they will simply be going by Shaul's authority. But they should go by Shaul's authority only to the extent that it is within the Messiah's. If Shaul's authority exceeds the bounds set by the Messiah then they should disregard it, and stick only to the Messiah's authority.
One should judge this matter using the Messiah's authority.
Therefore, what did the Messiah say concerning this matter? This is what should rule in this matter.
Why Is Shaul Now Drawing Upon "Nature" As
His Justification?
In 11:14 Shaul says that nature teaches that if a man has long hair it is a dishonour to him. It should be noted that Shaul here is drawing upon "nature" as his justification in this tradition that he is upholding, that men should have short hair, and pray with uncovered heads.
Why Isn't Shaul Drawing Upon The Messiah As His
Justification?
Earlier on, in 11:1, he urged his audience to follow him as he followed the Messiah. In 11:1 he was drawing upon the Messiah's authority, and correctly showing that this forms the basis of traditions within the assemblies of Yahweh. Yet here in 11:14 he is drawing upon "nature" as his authority! Why does not he draw upon the Messiah's words in this matter to determine it once and for all? Is it the case that the Messiah gave no command that men have short hair, and should avoid having long hair?
Yahweh's Position On This Matter
It should also be noted that Yahweh gave commandments pertaining to Nazirs. These are found in Bamidbar 6.
6:1Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, saying, 6:2"Speak
to the children of Yisra'el, and tell them, When either man or woman shall
make a special vow, the vow of a Nazir, to separate himself to Yahweh, 6:3he shall separate himself from wine and
strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither
shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. 6:4All the days of his separation shall he eat
nothing that is made of the grape-vine, from the kernels even to the husk. 6:5All the days of his vow of separation
there shall no razor come on his head: until the days are fulfilled, in which
he separates himself to Yahweh, he shall be holy; he shall let the locks of the
hair of his head grow long. 6:6All
the days that he separates himself to Yahweh he shall not come near to a dead
body. 6:7He shall not make himself
unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister,
when they die; because his separation to the Mighty One is on his head. 6:8All the days of his separation he is holy to
Yahweh. 6:9If any man dies very
suddenly beside him, and he defiles the head of his separation; then he shall
shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave
it. 6:10On the eighth day he shall
bring two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, to the Kohen, to the door of the
tent of meeting: 6:11and the Kohen
shall offer one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and
make atonement for him, for that he sinned by reason of the dead, and shall
make his head holy that same day. 6:12He
shall separate to Yahweh the days of his separation, and shall bring a he-lamb
a year old for a trespass-offering; but the former days shall be void, because
his separation was defiled. 6:13This
is the law of the Nazir, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he
shall be brought to the door of the tent of meeting: 6:14and he shall offer his offering to Yahweh,
one he-lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe-lamb a
year old without blemish for a sin-offering, and one ram without blemish for
peace-offerings, 6:15and a basket of
matzah, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed
with oil, and their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings. 6:16The Kohen shall present them before Yahweh,
and shall offer his sin-offering, and his burnt offering: 6:17and he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice
of peace-offerings to Yahweh, with the basket of matzah: the Kohen shall offer
also the meal-offering of it, and the drink-offering of it. 6:18The Nazir shall shave the head of his
separation at the door of the tent of meeting, and shall take the hair of the
head of his separation, and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of
peace-offerings. 6:19The Kohen shall
take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket,
and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazir, after
he has shaved the head of his separation; 6:20and
the Kohen shall wave them for a wave-offering before Yahweh; this is holy for
the Kohen, together with the wave-breast and heave-thigh: and after that the
Nazir may drink wine. 6:21This is
the law of the Nazir who vows, and of his offering to Yahweh for his
separation, besides that which he is able to get: according to his vow which he
vows, so he must do after the law of his separation."
Yahweh Makes No Distinction Between Men And Women
Bamidbar 6:2 shows that the vow of a Nazir applies to both men and women, where one vows to separate oneself to Yahweh. The vow of a Nazir does not make a distinction between men and women. It is therefore clear that Yahweh's word makes no distinction in this matter between men and women, quite in contrast to the distinction made by Shaul's words in 1 Corinthians 11!
Bamidbar 6:5 shows that during the days of the separation of a Nazir, no razor is to come upon his or her head. The Nazir is to let the hair of his or her head grow long!
Bamidbar 6:13-18 shows that when the days of separation to Yahweh for the Nazir have been fulfilled, he or she is to shave the head, and burn the hair on the fire under the sacrifice of peace offerings.
Yahweh's Command For Nazirs Ignored
"Nature's" View
It should therefore be noted that Yahweh's law specifically provided a situation whereby men had to grow their hair long. Yahweh's law of the Nazir had to be abided by Nazir men irrespective of whether "nature" considered it dishonourable for a man to have long hair! And Scripture mentions the following servants of Yahweh who were Nazirs - Shimshon the judge, Shemuel the seer and Yahchanan the Baptizer.
Shaul's Words Appear To Be Contradictory!
In 1 Corinthians 11:15 Shaul says that it is a glory to a woman for her to have long hair, for her hair is given to her for a covering!
This statement appears to contradict the tradition that Shaul is trying to uphold over here. For he says that a woman's hair is her covering. Yet he also says that she should not pray or prophesy with an uncovered head. This might suggest that she should pray or prophesy with her head covered with hair.
Yet earlier on he clearly said that her head should either be veiled or shorn when she is praying or prophesying. Implying that she prays or prophesies either without hair or her head covered with a veil, a veil covering her hair.
It therefore appears that Shaul's statements are not fully consistent, and are in fact contradictory!
Also, why should a woman be given her long hair for a covering and a glory, and then required to shave it or cover it with a veil when praying or prophesying to Yahweh? Is it the case that one dishonours her head by praying to Yahweh with an uncovered head with long hair when Yahweh gave her long hair for a glory? This does not appear to make sense. For if Yahweh has given her long hair for a glory and a covering, why should it be dishonourable when she prays to Yahweh with her long hair still on her head?
Nazir Women Are To Ignore Shaul's Words In 1
Corinthians 11
Also, noting from Bamidbar 6, some women were also Nazirs, and therefore required to have long unshorn hair over the duration of their Nazir vow. As this was a special vow to separate oneself to Yahweh, it is indeed evident that these Nazir women had to pray to Yahweh during this period with long hair. They were not to shear their hair over the duration of their Nazir vow. Therefore, a woman having taken a Nazir vow would indeed disregard Shaul's words that she shave her head in order to pray or prophesy. For she would indeed be obeying Yahweh's Nazir law.
And, surely, Yahweh's words are superior to Shaul's traditions!
Shaul's Custom Was NOT Universally Accepted Within
Yahweh's Assemblies
That Shaul in 11:16 talks about contentious men, contentious in the context of this custom of women being required to pray or prophesy with either shorn or covered heads, suggests that this was a custom that was NOT universally accepted within the assemblies of Yahweh!
Also, the strength of Shaul's phraseology in 11:16, whereby he says that neither they nor the Mighty One's assemblies had such a custom, suggests that if one did not accept Shaul's espoused tradition, one's view would have been disregarded, and Shaul's espoused tradition would have prevailed!
My View Is DIFFERENT From Shaul's!
Well, I surely have a view that is DIFFERENT from Shaul's! And, surely, if I was living around the time that Shaul was espousing this view, my contrary view would have been disregarded! Nevertheless, I maintain a contrary view!
Why I Hold A View Different From Shaul's Of 1
Corinthians 11
First of all, Shaul's justification for this tradition that he espouses is NOT consistent!
Secondly, he does not explain the inconsistencies in his justification!
Thirdly, going by his own preface to his comments, he should be followed only as he follows the Messiah. Seeing that the Messiah has spoken differently in this matter of length of hair and praying to Yahweh, speaking this in Bamidbar 6, Shaul's tradition should be disregarded! It is not consistent with the Messiah's words! It should therefore be disregarded!
And seeing that the Messiah is superior to Shaul, as even Shaul acknowledges by implication in 11:1, Shaul's tradition not founded on the Messiah's word should be disregarded!
Yahweh Commanded A Man To Cover His Head And Pray!
It should also be noted that Shemot 29 clearly shows the Kohen Gadol, Aharon at that time, being required to wear a turban on his head, thereby covering his head.
29:1"This
is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in
the Kohen's office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 29:2matzah, unleavened cakes mixed with oil,
and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat
flour. 29:3You shall put them into
one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bull and the two rams. 29:4You shall bring Aharon and his sons to the
door of the tent of meeting, and shall wash them with water. 29:5You shall take the garments, and put on
Aharon the coat, the robe of the efod, the efod, and the breastplate, and dress
him with the skillfully woven band of the efod; 29:6and
you shall set the turban on his head, and put the holy crown on the turban.
29:7Then you shall take the
anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. 29:8You shall bring his sons, and put coats on
them. 29:9You shall dress them with
belts, Aharon and his sons, and bind headbands on them: and they shall have the
priesthood by a perpetual statute: and you shall consecrate Aharon and his
sons."
And did not Yahweh require the Kohanim to pray for the people? Did not the Kohen Gadol pray for the people with a covered head? Did the Kohen Gadol dishonour his head by so praying, yet he was doing so at the command of his head?
Vayikra (Leviticus) 16 contains Yahweh's command to the Kohen Gadol in this context.
16:1Yahweh
spoke to Moshe, after the death of the two sons of Aharon, when they drew near
before Yahweh, and died; 16:2and
Yahweh said to Moshe, "Speak to Aharon your brother, that he doesn't come
at all times into the holy place within the veil, before the mercy seat which
is on the ark; that he not die: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy
seat. 16:3Herewith shall Aharon
come into the holy place: with a young bull for a sin-offering, and a ram
for a burnt offering. 16:4He shall
put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches on his flesh,
and shall be girded with the linen sash, and with the linen mitre shall he
be attired: they are the holy garments; and he shall bathe his flesh in
water, and put them on.
16:5"He
shall take of the congregation of the children of Yisra'el two male goats for a
sin-offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. 16:6Aharon
shall present the bull of the sin-offering, which is for himself, and make
atonement for himself, and for his house. 16:7He
shall take the two goats, and set them before Yahweh at the door of the tent of
meeting. 16:8Aharon shall cast lots
on the two goats; one lot for Yahweh, and the other lot for `Azazel. 16:9Aharon shall present the goat on which the
lot fell for Yahweh, and offer him for a sin-offering. 16:10But the goat, on which the lot fell for
`Azazel, shall be set alive before Yahweh, to make atonement for him, to send
him away for `Azazel into the wilderness. 16:11Aharon
shall present the bull of the sin-offering, which is for himself, and shall
make atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the
sin-offering which is for himself: 16:12and
he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Yahweh,
and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil:
16:13and he shall put the incense on
the fire before Yahweh, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat
that is on the testimony, that he not die: 16:14and
he shall take of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the
mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the
blood with his finger seven times. 16:15Then
shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring
his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of
the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: 16:16and he shall make atonement for the holy
place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Yisra'el, and because of
their transgressions, even all their sins: and so shall he do for the tent of
meeting, that dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness.
16:17"There
shall be no man in the tent of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the
holy place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself, and for his
household, and for all the assembly of Yisra'el. 16:18He
shall go out to the altar that is before Yahweh, and make atonement for it, and
shall take of the blood of the bull, and of the blood of the goat, and put it
on the horns of the altar round about. 16:19He
shall sprinkle of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it,
and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Yisra'el.
16:20"When
he has made an end of atoning for the holy place, and the tent of meeting, and
the altar, he shall present the live goat: 16:21and
Aharon shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess
over him all the iniquities of the children of Yisra'el, and all their transgressions,
even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and
shall send him away by the hand of a man who is in readiness into the
wilderness: 16:22and the goat shall
bear on him all their iniquities to a solitary land: and he shall let go the
goat in the wilderness.
16:23"Aharon
shall come into the tent of meeting, and shall put off the linen garments,
which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:
16:24and he shall bathe his flesh in
water in a holy place, and put on his garments, and come forth, and offer his
burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for
himself and for the people. 16:25The
fat of the sin-offering shall he burn on the altar. 16:26He who lets go the goat for `Azazel shall
wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come
into the camp. 16:27The bull of the
sin-offering, and the goat of the sin-offering, whose blood was brought in to
make atonement in the holy place, shall be carried forth outside of the camp;
and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung. 16:28He who burns them shall wash his clothes,
and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.
16:29"It
shall be a statute forever to you: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of
the month, you shall afflict your souls, and shall do no manner of work, the
home-born, or the stranger who sojourns among you: 16:30for on this day shall atonement be made
for you, to cleanse you; from all your sins shall you be clean before Yahweh. 16:31It is a Shabbat of solemn rest to you, and
you shall afflict your souls; it is a statute forever. 16:32The Kohen, who shall be anointed and
who shall be consecrated to be Kohen in his father's place, shall make the
atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments: 16:33and he shall make atonement for the holy
sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the
altar; and he shall make atonement for the Kohanim and for all the people of
the assembly. 16:34This shall be an
everlasting statute to you, to make atonement for the children of Yisra'el
because of all their sins once in the year." He did as Yahweh
commanded Moshe.
Vayikra 16:4 clearly shows that Aharon was required to wear the holy garments in going into the holy place, holy garments that included the linen mitre or turban, that covered the hair of his head.
Vayikra 16:21 clearly shows that Aharon was required to pray or make confession while still wearing the holy garments, including the linen mitre.
Vayikra 16:23 shows that it was after Aharon's confession or prayer, and the sending away into the wilderness of the goat for Azazel, that Aharon returned into the tent of meeting and removed the holy garments. Aharon therefore prayed with his head covered, doing this at Yahweh's command, as confirmed in 16:34.
Vayikra 16:29-34 also show that this command was an everlasting statute binding the Kohen Gadol's family and the people of Yisrael, and was therefore applicable even during the time of Shaul's comments in 1 Corinthians 11!
Yahweh's Words Negate Shaul's Words In 1 Corinthians
11:1-16!
It is therefore evident that Scripture clearly negates the tradition that Shaul was espousing in 11:1-16. I therefore do not subscribe to this FAULTY tradition! Neither do I recommend that anyone else should!
Is 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Part Of Scripture?
Someone might then ask - is 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 part of Scripture?
My answer is that it is NOT part of Scripture! For does not Yahchanan 10:35 indeed state that Scripture CANNOT be broken?
10:35If he called them the Mighty Ones, to whom the word of the
Mighty One came (and the scripture can't be broken),
Yet we have here clearly seen Shaul's words in 11:1-16 having been broken by Scripture, for Yahweh's clear words have negated this tradition espoused by Shaul!
Not All Of Shaul's Words Are Part Of Scripture!
This also shows that NOT ALL of Shaul's words are part of Scripture. The words that he spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and have been recorded are clearly part of Scripture. But elsewhere, when he was giving his own opinion, his opinion was simply that of a human being, but not necessarily part of Scripture.
Human Servants Of Yahweh Are Not Yet Perfect
It should also be noted that just as other servants of Yahweh before Shaul had made their own mistakes or errors in their time, so also did Shaul make his in his own time. Human servants of Yahweh are not yet perfect, and inevitably make their own mistakes or errors.
Test Each Word Promulgated As Yahweh's Word
Servants and disciples of Yahweh and Yah'shuah should therefore realise that not all of Shaul's written words are part of Scripture. They must test each word of Shaul, as they must also of other servants of Yahweh, and other professed servants of Yahweh who are not really servants of Yahweh. They must test each word to ascertain whether it is in harmony with Yahweh's and Yah'shuah's words.
Yeshayahu 8:20 admonishes us to go to the Torah and the Testimony - Scripture.
8:20To
the Torah and to the testimony! If they don't speak according to this word,
surely there is no morning for them.
If one does not speak according to the Torah and the Testimony - Scripture, it is because there is no light - Holy Spirit - in those words that one speaks. Scripture determines for us words that are inspired by the Holy Spirit, words that have light in them. Therefore if one does not speak according to Scripture, even if that one is the universally revered Shaul, those words so spoken have NO AUTHORITY over our lives and should not be accepted!
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