Captivating: Chapter Five - A Special Hatred

Even though I haven't posted on the blog Bible study, Captivating in a little while, I didn't drop out of the group. Chapter three was posted through e-mail, because it seemed a little too personal and I couldn't find any words to describe my thoughts on Chapter four. Some other bloggers wrote on Chapter four, and you can find their posts on the sidebar.

Many of us have been struggling with this book and the principles and concepts that it promotes. There seem to be a lot of blanket generalizations, yet at the same time, hidden among the generalizations, are some pearls of wisdom.

In Chapter Five, John and Stasi Eldredge identify Satan as the reason why many women are persecuted, feel alone or fear being abandoned. Lucifer, himself, was "gorgeous" and "breathtaking" and it was his ruin. He craved the worship that was being given to God for himself. They write that the enemy bears a "special hatred" for Eve (or women) because of her beauty, her captivating beauty. He also hates Eve because she gives life.

I have to admit - I had never thought of Satan as having a special hatred for Eve, for women or even for me due to the fact that I am a woman. But when I started thinking about all of the examples that the authors provided: unwanted baby girls in China, the rapes of women during civil wars that occur, such as those that happened to the women of Sudan, sexual assaults that occur right in our own neighbourhoods, wife abuse, etc. - this "special hatred" became more visible.

I know all too well that women are very often the target of some pretty horrible things since I work for the Crown Attorney's office which prosecutes the people (most often men) who do these things. That is not to say that men are not the subject of abuse as well, but as I thought more about it, there is a very clear picture of the persecution and degradation of women throughout history that continues to this day. My heart aches and cries out for women who have been through abuse, especially sexual abuse. I cannot imagine any other sort of torture that would compare to the violation of a women's personal integrity. It is disgusting and I believe that women and men need to bind together in opposition to such treatment. Many people, however, try to shy away from discussing this intimate topic - but it exists and is a very real and active issue.

I was so thankful that the chapter was finished off with this:

"You won't really understand your life as a woman until you understand this:

You are passionately loved by the God of the universe.
You are passionately hated by his Enemy.

And so, dear heart, it is time for your restoration. For there is One greater than your Enemy. One who has sought you out from the beginning of time. He has come to heal your broken hear and restore your feminine soul.Let us turn to him now."

Praise Jesus that he is more powerful than Satan. Praise Jesus that he can heal our hearts and restore our souls. Praise Jesus that HE seeks US out, and has done so since the beginning of time. Praise Jesus that I can cast all my fears, all my worries, all my sin on him. Amen.