It is very frustrating today when you fill out a medical form and these people who are supposed to be the epitome of scientists ask if you are: male, female, or non-binary. Our society is losing its grip on reality and only God knows where it is going to end.
What does the Bible teach…?
GOD ASSIGNS GENDER AT CONCEPTION – Genesis 1:26-27; 5:2:
God made man and He created “man” as male and female. It goes without saying that the rest of the Bible is consistent with this point and we will not belabor the point too much. But observe here that “man” (in the broad definition of the Hebrew term) is composed of two genders: male and female.
Later in the Law of Moses, God says that women who give birth are unclean for a certain number of days, but there are only two possibilities for the gender of the baby: boy or girl:
“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean. (Lev. 12:2)
“…‘But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.” (Lev. 12:5)
Please observe that in both these situations, it is clear that the woman does not assign the gender of her child; she recognizes the gender of the child. Why? Because God is the one who assigns gender.
GOD EXPECTS MAN TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN “SEXUALITY” AND “SPIRITUALITY”:
At Mount Sinai, when God was going to give Israel His Law, including the Ten Commandments, observe Exodus 19:10-15.
There are a number of laws in the Law of Moses which show that God intended Israel to keep their sexuality out of worship to Him. The pagan nations around Israel certainly incorporated their sexuality into their worship, but God commanded them not to do anything of the sort: Exodus 28:42-43; Leviticus 15:16-18.
This law would teach Israel: 1) There are things you do at home that you do not do in worship; 2) The sexual relationship specifically is not to be associated with worship.
Notice in Leviticus 18 that God warns Israel about certain relationships that God would consider to be sinful. We will not take the time to read this whole chapter, but I will point out 18:22-23 because it is especially relevant in our own social context. Two chapters later, God will prescribe the death penalty for these individuals: Leviticus 20:13.
The biblical fact is that God created two genders and He gave each gender specific qualities and characteristics which they are to use in their service to God and glorifying Him. And then God tells Israel not to mix the two genders: Deuteronomy 22:5.
Now, we readily admit that Christians are not under the Law of Moses any more, so these laws do not apply to us unless Jesus Christ Himself and His apostles require us to make distinctions between male and female. And in some ways, Jesus has…
Paul Holland