It always amazes me that there are so many words in the original language which are all translated the same way. One of these words is the term “man.” Some feminists become outraged when the term man is used because they believe that it minimizes their importance. However, in the Scriptures, the term man often represents all of mankind (both male and female) and is not exclusive to males.

In Hebrew there are several words which are all translated “man.” The first two are ‘iysh and l’om. Each of these words is used when referring simply to an ordinary or insignificant man. However, there is another word, adam which literally means “to be red or ruddy.” When we explore the usage of this word in the Bible, we find that it refers to an anointed, delegated authority or a man who has been commissioned.

The first adam was literally the first man who we call Adam. This term is much more than a name, it defines who this man was. As we read the first pages of the book of Genesis, we find that this adam had truly been given delegated authority by God. Adam was given the responsibility of naming the animals as well as being given the responsibility to be the administrator of God’s garden or the place of God’s presence. Adam was especially anointed for this task. Only after Adam relinquished his authority to Satan did trouble set in. But the term adam continued to mean one who had been commissioned by God.

It is interesting to note that in the book of Nehemiah there are many, many men listed, but not once does the term ’iysh or l’om occur. Instead, Nehemiah is called a “man who had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (cf. Nehemiah 2:10). Many men had preceded Nehemiah as the Jews returned to Judah, but Nehemiah had been anointed and commissioned for a special work—to rebuild the city of God.

There is another word in the Old Testament that is very closely related to the word adam—it is the term adamah. This is one of the words translated “land” in the Old Testament. Generally, the term for “land” is eretz which refers to land in general. But adamah is not just a geographical place, but it refers to operating in your gifting in the proper place (adamah) or area of anointing. Although the word “land” appears over 5,000 times in Scripture, adamah is a very special place for the adam of God or those who are anointed for a specific task.

God anoints us to carry out His plan for our lives. In this way we become adam—one who is commissioned for a specific task. However, God not only anoints us for a task, but also assigns us a place or an adamah to operate in.

Many of us like to pick what we want to do for God as well as choose where we will do this. When this happens we are neither an adam (someone with delegated authority) nor do we have an adamah (an area of anointing). An anointed pastor may choose their place of ministry rather than seeking God and in doing so fail to become an adam of the Lord. A believer may know that God is calling them to a specific vocation, but then choose where they will serve in this capacity (often based on salary and benefit package) and never find their adamah. Individuals may know that they are called to a certain ministry (e.g., music, serving, mercy, etc.) but then choose what church or paraministry they will become involved in. When we do this we are neither an adam nor do we discover our adamah. It is important that we continually seek God’s will for our lives. When we do, He will not only reveal WHAT we are to do, but WHERE we are to carry out this assignment.

We often do what we like and go where we are comfortable, rather than allowing the Spirit of God to guide and direct us. Some people will not attempt new ministry, because they are afraid of giving up position or operating beyond their natural abilities. Some believers will not move to the place God has for them because it is strange and they have no idea where that road leads.

The question is….are you ministering in the way God wants? Are you in God’s adamah which He has chosen for you? Only when we become the adam of God and operate in His adamah for our lives will we be effective for His Kingdom! As you continue on your Manna Quest, remember this and allow His Spirit through His Word to reveal to you exactly what He has for your life!

© Copyright 2016 Donna Buritsch Brayerton. This blog can also be viewed at Manna Quest Ministry website at www.mannaquest.org

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