Men, as true as the Needle to the Pole

Text. Genesis 5:18-24

Hymn. to open 618 to close 473

The Problem

“This thing about all men are privileged is not true, individuals experience life differently and so we have to look at the issues,” said Acting Policy Analyst of the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), Nashan Miller. According to Mr. Miller, the top issues facing Jamaican men and boys are related to violence, health and an unawareness of their own rights and value.

In fact, with 90% of the perpetrators of violent crimes being men and over 70% of the victims of said crimes also being men, male guidance is of utmost importance. Moreover, men are the leading victims of mental health concerns and suicide which also underscores the importance of attention. This is according to statements from the BGA.

GOJ Support for Men and Boys – Jamaica Information Service (jis.gov.jm)

Problematic Jamaican Masculinity

There is no shortage of opinions on how to solve these societal problems. The list of suggestions is long, and often conflicting. What we lack, however, are suggestions based on empirical research. And while it would be oversimplification to suggest that there is one underlying cause that entirely explains both of these problems, research suggests that there is a deeply rooted, systemic cause that is spoken of too little, and on which no empirical research has been done in Jamaica - the construction of Jamaican masculinity.

Jamaican males are central to both our high murder rate and problematic sexuality. Police records show that the overwhelming majority of Jamaican murderers and murder victims are male. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, most homicides are not caused by drug-related activity or burglary.

The two main motives for homicide in Jamaica are personal disputes and revenge or reprisals. In other words, the high Jamaican murder rate is the result of young men killing young men over personal disputes - even minor ones. Police narratives illustrate how common it has become for someone to be murdered over cigarettes, or a bingo game.

In Egglestion's study of sexuality, 64 per cent of Jamaican boys admitted to intercourse before the age of 15, compared to only six per cent of girls. Boys also reported starting to engage in sexual activity at a younger age than girls (9.4 years vs 11.3 years). Pressure from friends and a desire for elevated social status motivated boys to start having sex young, and having a lot of it. For boys, sex led to admiration and encouragement. Even when it is considered that some of the boys may have exaggerated their sexual experiences, the results of the survey are nonetheless disturbing, if not more disturbing, as it clearly demonstrates a pervasive, powerful, and unhealthy social norm regarding masculinity and young, promiscuous, irresponsible sex. Jamaican masculinity: construction and consequences | Lead Stories | Jamaica Gleaner (jamaica-gleaner.com)

I have experienced some of this for myself, as a teenager wanting to fit in with the ‘in crowd’ is a powerful temptation. This normally leads to trouble. Hope garden experience. Society sometimes pressure men to be what they should not be. Bad Man, Stud, Gangster, just to name a few. But my question is who should we be as men. it seems to me that we men need to know who we are and who we need to be. Picture has been painted of the black man that is not accurate and it needs to be corrected.

The Solution

The Bible said Enoch walked with God but what did that mean. Enoch lived in the world of the antediluvians. ENOCH (חֲנוֹךְ, chanokh). The great-grandfather of Noah and the seventh generation directly descended from Adam. According to Genesis 5:18, Jared fathered Enoch when he was 162 years old. Genesis 5:22–24 states that Enoch lived 365 years, walked with God, and was no more. Again The Bible said that Enoch walked with God and we are asking what kind of walk was it? וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ It means to go, to walk, to come, to behave. this walk was not a common walk; it did not look like popular culture nor did it look like to stereo typical man that society has painted ; the walk was not based on popular culture nor peer-pressure; it was a good walk, it was a walk by faith and not by sight. The Bible stated in Hebrews 11: 5-6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Enoch walk with God was so good that God Took him. God did not allow Enoch to die physically. What kind of a walk was this it was no ordinary walk; it was a walk of trust, it was a walk of Hope and determination to do right; it was a walk of integrity and honesty; he was faithful to his spouse it was not an ordinary walk. Enoch dressed right; Enoch lived right; I have a strong feeling that he ate right. What kind of walk was it, it was no ordinary walk. Enoch Spoke right, now this was interesting Enoch was a preacher, Jude 14-16 (NKJV)

14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15. to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16. These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.

Enoch was a man that could not be bought or sold, he was brave, he was not perfect because that Bible says that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” But Enoch was walking with God; he was dying daily because that work of sanctification is over a lifetime. The greatest want of this age is the want of men,—men who will not be bought or sold; men who are true and honest in their inmost souls; men who will not fear to call sin by its right name, and to condemn it, in themselves or in others; men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole; men who will stand for the right, though the heavens fall. Ellen Gould White, The Signs of the Times, n.d., 567.

The Transformation

How is your walk today. society has painted a bad picture of us men but it is not a true picture, this is not the picture that God has painted of us we were made to be leaders, priests, Godly fathers and men of dignity. We were made to represent God, don’t give up these responsibilities don’t walk away from your God given right, just walk with your God. To comprehend and enjoy God is the highest exercise of the powers of man. This may be attained only when our affections are sanctified and ennobled by the grace of Christ.… In Christ was the brightness of His Father’s glory, the express image of His person. Said our Saviour, “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. In Christ is the life of the soul.

Ellen Gould White, Our High Calling (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961), 61.