The Point Man

Intro

Text - Gen 3.7-8

Genesis 3:7–8 NASB 2020

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves waist coverings. 8 Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Title - The Point Man

Background - What is a point man

point man is to assume the first and most exposed position in a combat military formation, that is, the leading soldier or unit advancing through hostile or unsecured territory. - Wikipedia

Taking point means you are the lead soldier of a patrol, the figure who guides the unit through enemy terrain. The point man walks ahead, scanning for danger. It is the most exposed position in a warzone. Taking point guarantees you will be first to wander into an ambush, first to tread upon a hidden bomb, first to be framed in the sights of an opposing sniper. Those who take point accept a vastly reduced chance of surviving.

The man as God’s appointed point man

When the first couple fell into sin, God looked for the man

Adam was responsible for the welfare of his wife and home

Adam has the lead role in the first family.

Adam’s sin was - he listened to hiw wife!

his wife should be the one listening to him

he should lead in the decision-making process

Patriarchy - leadership by men in society

the standard practice since the beginning of time

kings, governors, emperors, lords, dukes, lakan, datu, apo,

matriarchy practice were an excemption, not the norm

Genealogy

firstborn men were the de facto head of a clan

family tree were based on the firstborn male

female clan leaders were not the norm

unworthy firstborn were sometimes replaced

Changing Role of men in society

How did the man’s role evolve over time?

Spiritual change

Corruption of sin

man’s human nature was corrupted by sin

he turned away from God

he sought idols

Romans 1:21–24 NASB 2020

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.

Corruption led to abuses

man abused his God-appointed authority

kings

husbands

brothers

priests/ministers

man looked down on women and children -

as slaves and properties

sex slaves

man deprived women of their rights and privileges

Satan’s attack against the man

“feminist movement” is an attack against man’s role

women began to rise up and demand equal rights with men

Industrialization changed the role of men and women in society

before the industrialization in the 19th century

husbands and wives shared in the responsibilities at home

both spent with their children

both helped provide food on the table

industrialization affected the home

men became slaves to factories

women were reduced to housekeepers

fathers had no more time to teach kids - so public education was created

Man’s current condition

Slaves to work

man is conditioned to work tireless to provide for his family

it is demanded by the society, and so by the wife

Reduced to “provider” of the home

most men do not participate in house chores

most men use their time to relax with friends

Reduced to secondary roles

changirng roles and opportunities in society taught men to accept secondary functions

Note - Jose Rizal’s “the indolence of the Filipino”

filipinos were not poor because they are indolent - they became indolent they were reduced by colonizers to base roles and forced to accept themselves as “indios”

lack of commitment to leadership

most men today are not quick and ready to accept commitment in social functions

most men today are playing/relaxing instead of leading

Barak and Deborah - Judges 4:7-9

Judges 4:7–9 NASB 2020

7 I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will hand him over to you.’ ” 8 Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” 9 She said, “I will certainly go with you; however, the fame shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.

The need to restore man to his appointed place

Jesus Christ set the example

He readily committed to the role set by the Father

He committed his life completely

Ephesians 5:25–28 NASB 2020

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;

True conversion should result in man’s return to his God-appointed role

to take the lead

to take risk for the sake others/family

be the point man

The man as God’s appointed pointman

He is in charge of the welfare and the success of his own patrol/household.

He is the lead soldier of his household

he is always ahead in action

he is always ahead in information

he is always ahead in danger

He is the eyes and ears of his patrol

Joshua - God’s point man for Israel Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua 1:1–9 NASB 2020

1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead; so now arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. 3 Every place on which the sole of your foot steps, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5 No one will be able to oppose you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not desert you nor abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Conclusion