Determined to Know
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? Job 31:1 ESV
Gaze – Maybe this verse is just for men. Maybe. In its simplest rendition, it declares Job’s promise not to determine to know. It isn’t that Job says he will never look at an appealing woman. “Gaze” doesn’t really capture the Hebrew idea of bin. Both yada’ and bin can be translated “understand” or “know,” but yada’ is usually knowledge gained by the accumulation of facts through investigation whereas bin is about seeking to know through discernment. In this verse, it implies careful consideration and examination. In other words, contemplating the possibilities. Job has made a promise that he will not look upon a potentially sexually available woman in such a way as to contemplate the possibility. He might compliment her. He might even thank God for her beauty. But he will not take the next step. He will not imagine embrace and all that it might portend.
Now be honest. Men are often arrested by women (and probably a great number of women wish that the other meaning of this verb were also true). It is a natural function of human response to be struck by someone interesting. But that’s the point where we men must decide which road to travel. That’s the point where the yetzer ha’ra suggests imaginative dalliance. And most of us have at one time or another indulged in the “harmless” fantasy. It was private, all right, but it wasn’t harmless. It probably did not result in any overt action toward a woman, but it harmed us anyway. How? By allowing the yetzer ha’ra to strike a blow against taking every thought captive. In other words, it diminished who we are by reducing the image of God in us to drives instead of choices.
A long time ago a man named Roy told me that every time he is tempted to gaze he immediately begins to pray for the person. He prays that God will fill that person’s life with joy. He prays that the person will be drawn closer to the Almighty. He prays that this small opportunity to intercede for that person will not be wasted in fantasy. He prays that this person will discover God’s immeasurable grace and divine purpose. And by the time Roy had consciously prayed these requests for that person, the yetzer ha’tov is in full force. The moment passes with a blessing rather than a failure.
Maybe this is just for men, and if it is, then men have almost constant opportunities to become praying machines for God. Rather than being diminished by the fight to avoid fantasy, men can take each incident as a blessing to pray for even complete strangers, for those who pass by in a moment’s glance, for those who will never know that we have prayed for them today. But God will know—and honor our efforts to lift up those women we will not gaze upon. Ah, I feel better already.
Topical Index: gaze, bin, yada’, sexual attraction, fantasy, Job 31:1
An excellent application for Paul’s admonition to
pray without ceasing.
Yeshua obviously dealt with this issue mastering the choice of yetzer ha’tov in each and every instance. I can see how this is a doable action as opposed to an inevitable defeat of an ingrained and supposed sinful nature.
Yep. “Take every thought captive” presupposes that the choices set the soul, and not the other way around; otherwise, we would not have been given that directive. If we were stuck in a sinful nature, and our choices were being dictated by a soul already set, then capturing thoughts would be like shutting the door after the cows got out. BUT if thoughts WERE that door, then that changes the game. We are not helpless victims of our thoughts. Thoughts are things we can choose. Of course, if we get lied to that we can do nothing about what we think, then the game is over before it begins. We ARE limited by what we believe. If I believe that I am helpless, then I am truly helpless. Game set.
Yep
I have used this as a tool in my life for many years now. I started praying for those who had hurt me deeply and instead of warring with them in my mind I would pray for them. At first I would pray for them about every 15 min lol. I was such an angry person that is what it took to forgive and let go. Now I use the same approach when I see someone I want to pass a negative judgement on just by their looks. I have to be intentional about my thought life or it will go far to far from where it should be in many areas. Women struggle with thoughts as well.
Blessed Passover to all! Please pray for all those celebrating this incredible release from captivity.
I am always especially moved when the father removes the middle matzo of the three gathered- the Afikoman (dessert)-which according to their own tradition represents the Paschal Lamb, breaks it, and wraps it separately in a linen cloth to hide it until the end of the meal. At the appointed time the children (the next generation?) are allowed to find the Afikoman for everyone to enjoy.
Maybe next year in Jerusalem the next generation will truly find Messiah, the Paschal Lamb-who died and was wrapped in linen and placed in hiding until His time was complete! Father-bring forth the One New Man and glorify Yourself in the earth! Blessings over you all!