DO people know what is going on? Perhaps 99% of people have no idea. Most Christians haven’t got a clue. Sad. There are situations in the Bible, also where two different rules seem to apply. It always happens. A woman had no child. She was told by Elijah she would have a child. She did 2 Kings 4: 16. Many years later the child died verse 20. The woman went to see Elijah after the death of her son. She was upset of the false hope and the child’s death 2 Kings 4: 28. Elijah told the servant, Gehazi, take his staff, and put it on the boy’s face. The instruction was clear-woman, stay here, or walk back home at your pace. Gehazi run. Put my staff on the boy’s face. He will rise up. Simple. But the woman said to Elijah- no! The woman was not content with Elijah’s solution. She wanted it done her way. Second situation there was a commander, Naaman. He had leprosy 2 Kings 5: 1. He went to Elijah. Same thing, same servant, Gehazi. Tell the commander I won’t go to him. Tell him bathe. 2 Kings 5: 10. The woman was emotional at the instruction- tell Gehazi to go. No!! Tell Naaman bathe. Naaman was also furious 2 Kings 5: 11. Elijah did not go to Naaman, but he did go to the woman. Naaman was forced to comply with Elijah’s command. The woman had Elijah change his mind, and relent to the woman. So, when is it permissible to obey an instruction, and when it is ok, not to obey it? Police: Same law. Same virus. Same implementation. One, even with social distancing 'not ok', preaching God’s word. The other is 'ok', buying ingredients. Same Bible. Same Elijah. Same Gehazi. One situation is ok, one is not. Is this male discrimination?
How do you read it?
I read it is two (four) examples where police act differently and where Elijah acts differently. I see one as religious discrimination and the other as compassion. In life, and in God’s word, there are times when things appear the same. But they are not. There are times when the law must be enforced, and there are times for compassion. It is a fine line between hypocrisy and obedience. I leave to you to reflect on.