A Better Day (Isaiah 65-66 / 1 Timothy 2)

Israel had been praying for national deliverance and in Isaiah 65-66, God answers their supplication (MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 838, 840). God reveals to the nation that there is a better day coming. On earth, we have all seen infants die prematurely and old men not live out their days (65:20). However, this will not be the case in the "new heavens" and the "new earth" (65:17). "Israel's future kingdom will include a temporal kingdom of a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-10) and an eternal kingdom in God's new creation (Rev. 21:1-8)"(MBC, p. 841). There will be "peace like a river" (66:12) in this new kingdom. As I was eating lunch yesterday, I overheard a lady talk about life on this beautiful earth. The truth is that this present earth does not always look beautiful to people who are struggling. That is why this passage of Scripture is comforting. There is a better day coming and that better day includes a "new heaven" and a "new earth."

I Timothy 2:12 has often been a centerpiece in the theological discussion/argument concerning the role of women in the church. Many books and journal articles have been written about these matters. The most likely scenario in this case is that there were some women in Ephesus who were desiring to be "public preachers" (MBC, p. 1783). Paul did not say women could not run for a political office, hold key positions in the business world, or do other important tasks. Paul simply says that in the church, the role of the pastor should belong to a man. Paul states this rule on a theological basis that dates back to the creation of man and woman (Genesis 2:18. 3:1-7) rather than just forming his own opinion on the subject. This rule does not imply that men are any better than women. It simply means that from the beginning of time, God has assigned perfect and beautiful roles for biblical manhood and womanhood that should not be abandoned or replaced.