The Silence of Adam

Reflective Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Where are the men? Recently, I advertised a new position here at Lamplighter. Over 80% of those who responded were women, and several of the men contacted us through their wives. What could be the reason that so few men applied—and that those who did had their wives make the initial contact? Let’s see if the Bible can give us some insight into this matter of the “Silence of Adam.”

In 1 Samuel 3, we read:

“Now the young man Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the Word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.”

God’s Word was rare in those days because of the lack of vision. The word vision here means “prophetic vision,” as in “revelation.” This is the same word Solomon used when he wrote,

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

When the Word of God is no longer present in a culture, the people begin to break down spiritually, socially, morally, and relationally. Neil Postman wrote about this phenomenon in his classic book The Disappearance of Childhood (a must-read!). Robert Lewis, in his insightful book Raising a Modern-Day Knight, teaches us how the central values of manhood are sequential, beginning with a humble spirit that leads to:

“A will to obey, a work to do, a woman to love, rejecting passivity, accepting responsibility, leading courageously, and expecting the greater reward for doing so.”

The reason for the disappearance of men holding to these values is the lack of attention to the Word of God. God’s Word is what makes men strong. The Apostle John wrote,

“Young men, you are strong because the Word of God abides in you” (1 John 2:14).

The word abide carries the idea of being at home. It is only when men are saturated with and “at home” in the Word that they will be able to live out their God-given masculine identity and calling.

If you read 1 Samuel 3 carefully, you will see that Eli, who was supposed to be God’s powerful prophet-leader, was instead a fat, lazy, self-centered man with very little influence over his own sons and people. The reason for this failure is that “the word of the LORD was rare in those days.”

Eli’s irresponsibility in speaking God’s Word to his sons and the people was deadly. Without the Word of God in the public realm, the moral standards of that day quickly unraveled, as seen in his greedy and immoral sons who held religious leadership positions. Eli’s failure led to a dismal end for both him and his sons. The last word Eli heard from God was:

“Why do you scorn… and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering” (1 Samuel 2:29).

Note the phrase, “honor your sons above me.” Dr. Edward Welch, in his book When People Are Big and God Is Small, shares what happens when people live their lives to please others above God. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend it. Honoring others above God leads to small compromises that create idolatrous relationships.

Eli’s honoring of his sons above God caused him to be silent when he should have been vocal about God’s rules and the consequences of breaking them. His silence led to his family’s eventual destruction, as well as a tragic end to his own life.

Often, men live with the false belief that one person cannot bring change to an out-of-control, religiously detached, immoral culture. This false thinking comes from not yet tapping into the power and presence of a living God, whose Word will not return void. Men who are filled with the knowledge of the Word and the unrestricted power of the Spirit of God can move mountains. These men have a vibrant spirit. They are filled with a positive outlook and love sharing truth with a lost world. You cannot silence these men! Why? Because they understand that they are God’s spokesmen for their families and communities in this lost world.

Biblical manhood and attractive masculinity come with the responsibility of studying, memorizing, and speaking the Word of God often—and more importantly, living it. Men will become men when they follow Peter’s exhortation to,

“Become partners of the divine nature, escaping the lustful corruption that is in the world. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5–8).

It would appear that it was the silence of Adam that got us into this mess. It’s time to bring the boldness of Christ and transform our families, churches, and culture as we make the Word known and “act like men” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Sincerely,

Mark Hamby

M.S., M.Div., Th.M., D.Min.

For further study on men becoming men, the following Scripture is worth reading and memorizing:

“I will not give unto the LORD that which cost me nothing.” – 2 Samuel 24:24

“Be strong, and act yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: act yourselves like men, and fight.” – 1 Samuel 4:9

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, act you like men, be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and

correction.” – Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is

understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” – Psalm 1

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13.

“But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’ Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful lusts and follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” – 2 Timothy 2:19-26

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” – Luke 16:10

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

“Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.” – Titus 2:7

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for his friends.” –John 15:13

“Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14