One of the most popular songs written in the mid-50’s was called, “Little things mean a lot”, sung by a singer named Kitty Kallen. She sings of the small and seemingly insignificant things of life, and how they really do mean–a lot. Let us look at the truth of this statement.
Our great King, Whom I have often called the “God of Details”, through His Word has spoken much on “little things”, things that we may think as minor, but are they really?
Our great King, as we have mentioned, makes such small pin point perfect little designs in His flowers, even with striking colors. Just pick one up and look closely and see the detailed work! How much more is He going to be particular in the details of our converted life?
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much:” (Luke 16:10)
With this understanding clearly in mind, the Lord has inspired me this week to discuss a very important custom that may seem “little” or insignificant yet is not. It’s the sometimes controversial–women’s head covering.
Our Christian discussions and understanding of this topic predominantly centers on the following Bible verses–
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her head to show she is under authority. In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him. But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. ” (1 Cor. 11:3-16)
Ah Paul, why do you make things so complicated :-)? When we read the above we get clarity from the first 95% of what was written, yet at the end we see this clarity become hazy. Sort of like –huh?? What I mean is that the last sentence seems to say–“But if you don’t want to do these instructions, and some of you argue about it–then forget it!” But is that the true take away from these important instructions?
Did not our all perfect knowing Lord realize that at the end of time (our time) we would need clarity on certain verses and “truth” that frankly have us puzzled? Yes indeed.
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.”(Matt 17:11)
His last end time prophet’s job was to clear up any confusion. Restoring the Truth to it’s brilliant luster, giving the truth hungry people what they want and need– powerful and clear Truth with no confusion!
So let us now see what His Elijah prophet said about our subject. Keep in mind this message is the FINAL word on any subject matter and therefore must be taken very seriously. These things said by the prophet contain the Lord’s prophesied —“gold refined in the fire” (Rev.3:18) that we must “buy”. If we neglect these last instructions we shall indeed stand “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked”.
SHALL THE WOMAN LEAVE HER HAT ON WHEN THE MAN TAKES HIS OFF?
Question No. 119:
What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 11 concerning the woman covering her head? Does not verse 15 show that the hair is her covering?
Answer:
“But I would,” says the Holy Spirit, “have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Cor. 11:3.
Note the order in which divinity and humanity are linked: God, Christ, the man, the woman. Thus it is that “every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head [God]. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head [the man]: for that is even all one as if she where shaven.
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn [that is, if a woman will not wear a hat, then let her cut off her hair]: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered [let her wear a hat]. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.” 1 Cor. 11:4-8.
This scripture plainly teaches that a man ought to take his hat off when praying or prophesying (teaching the Scriptures), while the woman should put hers on.
One could not logically conclude from 1 Cor. 11:15 that the woman’s hair is the covering referred to. If such were the case, then logically the man should shave his head in order to make the distinction between the two.
Moreover, if the woman’s hair is the covering required, then why would the Scriptures say she is to wear it when “praying or prophesying”? What else could she do? And could she take off her hair (covering) when not praying, unless she wore a wig?
The Scriptures therefore make it clear that any religious occasion which requires the man to take his hat off, requires the woman to put hers on. (Answerer, vol. 5, Q-119)
Ah again! A restoration of a seemingly confusing topic! Our souls should jump for joy as the Lord has restored a custom that, even to this very day within our SDA church, has been rejected for the most part. Just walk into any SDA Sabbath service across the world and you’ll see nearly all the women without any head covering!
The big question is–Are we to do what the Lord has told us to do through His final prophet? Or are we to put vanity, current church customs, or ignorance before His Word? To our ladies, I would say–do the right thing, as this constitutes the majority of the head covering problem within our church today. However this is not solely a women issue today, there are men who come to church with hats on and leave them on while in the sanctuary. Both are an offense to the Lord, let’s not kid ourselves.
Today, the women and young ones are fortunate to have many different designs to choose from. Below are just a few examples.
Once a converter to His Word begins to obey, even in this seemingly small thing, I believe they will start to experience a commensurate blessing. A new “bounce” in their step due to the Lord’s blessings.
“Oh, how important it is that faithfulness in little things characterize our lives, that true integrity mark all our course of action, and that we ever bear in mind that angels of God are taking cognizance of every act!” (Testimonies, vol. 2, p.158)
It is often said and even believed that we as SDA have the light for the world today, yet do we show God, our brethren, the angels, and the world that we walk in it? Look at the church we sometimes call “Babylon”, the Catholic Church, even they know to a certain degree the truth about proper head coverings. Granted, even there Satan has told the women to be “in style” and discontinue it, yet quite a few Catholics abide in the Word in this regard.
We as present truth believers know that we must “sigh and cry” for the abominations done within the church, if we are to get the seal of God in our foreheads (see Ezek.9 and Testimonies vol. 5, p.210-212). If the Lord wants head covering honor within His sanctuary, are we going to snub Him and ignore that?
In closing let us remember, — “Little things” do indeed mean a lot to the Lord, and they should mean a lot to us as well.
“You may not understand all there is about it, but that would not excuse you from doing faithfully the little things which you already perfectly know. Start with the A B C’s in the science of reform as you would in a grade school, gradually climbing up the ladder of perfection as you would from the first grade up to a course in a. university. As you are unable to understand in the schools of the world the higher grades ahead of the lower, so you will never learn all the science in physiology or the mysteries in the laws of God from its heights down or all at once. Moreover, if you are not willing to do correctly the little things in life, what will it compel you to agonize in prayer for the power you need to accomplish the great thing?”(Sym. Code, vol.2, no.1, p.3)
Godsloveandlaw's Blog 
February 5, 2015 at 8:04 pm |
This principle (head covering) is so important. In the Spanish churches they get so frantic and mad when a sister covers her head. So blind to the truth. But let us continue to put our hats off in church and our dear sisters be brave and put theirs on.
February 6, 2015 at 7:54 am |
I can imagine the Spanish churches being that way. As there are probably many former Catholics there.So they will try to put out any Catholic custom. But little do they know its the –Lord’s custom and not Catholic.
May 1, 2018 at 7:05 pm |
Amen
This information is new to me but how can I not obey when its Lord’s requirement. Actually am loving it.
Praise the Lord for the wonderful light.
July 30, 2018 at 7:02 am |
Praise the Lord dear sister, for your willingness to step forward on this important issue, only blessings will come from it to be sure.
October 7, 2019 at 5:11 am |
When I encountered this command before and when to Adventist site for answers – it was saying that it was a custom because of prostitutes not wearing the covering, so they had to. The question arises: Why do they have to wear it only when praying and prophesying, and not all of the time? Anyway…
The sister that introduced me to the Rod said that we should cover our heads and I felt convicted, because this question sprang up in my head a couple of times. Apparently, the SDA answer didn’t cut it with me. So I started putting it on, being convicted, but not convinced. Then I read it more into the text, and first of all what you see, is that Paul is given a different reason than SDA elders and pastors for wearing a veil: because her head is man. Nothing about prostitutes!
Since starting wearing the veil I had a few people approaching me with different comments: Why do you wear it? or How modest you look! or You look like a Russian lady 🙂 So on and so forth. But when I heard an elder, and know that our pastor regurgitate the same idea that it was a custom. Apparently, they are taught this way. They could have come up with this theory only to please women, who didn’t want to veil themselves (maybe). I later found out that their teaching is wrong even from historical perspective about prostitutes.
October 8, 2019 at 6:04 am |
Thanks for this testimony. The leaders do all in their power to make the church full of “peace and safety” with little restraints as to not “offend” anyone. Glad the Lord has been guiding you!