An Old Folk Lore of Mt. Fuji
There is an old folk tale in Japan concerning Mt. Fuji, the holiest, greatest, and highest mountain of Japan.
Mt. Fuji is situated facing Suruga Bay open to the Pacific Ocean. On the left hand-side of the Bay, observed from the shore, is the Izu Peninsula. And there was one mountain at the southern tip of the Peninsula called Mt. Mitake. But it was forbidden to talk about Mt. Fuji when people climbed Mt. Mitake. No one in Mt. Mitake talked about Mt. Fuji. It was because Mt. Mitake did not look so fine as Mt. Fuji. Its shape was not so impressive as Mt. Fuji. So, the spirit of Mt. Mitake envied Mt. Fuji. Accordingly nobody talked about Mt. Fuji when climbing the mountain, since the female spirit of Mt. Fuji was a younger sister of the spirit of Mt. Mitake.
Further, the female spirit of Mt. Fuji had a younger sister in a small mountain called Mt. Shimoda-Fuji in a town called Shimoda located on the east shore at the southern part of the Izu Peninsula. From Shimoda, Mt. Fuji was over the Peninsula and over Suruga Bay in the northwest. But Mt. Shimoda-Fuji looked better than Mt. Fuji. So, the spirit of Mt. Fuji did not like to see Mt. Shimoda-Fuji. Accordingly, there placed was a tall mountain in the middle of the Izu Peninsula, so that Mt. Shimoda-Fuji could not be spotted from Mt. Fuji.
In this way, nobody mentioned much about Mt. Fuji in the southern part of the Izu Peninsula, since Mt. Fuji was envied by Mt. Mitake while envying Mt. Shimoda-Fuji due to their appearance.
Then how does the Bible handle beauty or envy of women?
Beautiful Women of the Bible
Sarah, as seen through Abraham's eyes, was “…a fair woman to look upon” (Genesis 12:11); Rebekah was described as “…very fair to look upon…” (Genesis 24:16); and Bathsheba, desired by King David, was said to be “…very beautiful to look upon” (2 Samuel 11:2). The ancient Hebrews apparently placed higher value on a woman's virtuous character and fertility than on physical beauty, but that's not to say that they didn't “look upon” a woman's beauty with an appreciative eye.But among women there must have been some tensions among themselves even they were following Christ all together.
The Bible doesn't specify just how many women traveled with Jesus and his male disciples, but Luke records the names of a prominent few, and mentions there were "many others."
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household: Susanna: and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. (Luke 8:1-3)
Think about these remarkable words. Here were women not only associating with Jesus Christ and his male disciples, but traveling along with them. Also, notice that at least some of these women—possibly widows—had control of their own finances. It was out of their generosity that Jesus and his disciples were at least partially supported.
So, Christ Jesus must have been very cautious in dealing with those women who followed Him travelling around ancient Israel.
And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Christianity wasn't born on an "altar", but at a "table", where all participated.http://iglesiadescalza.blogspot.jp/2011/07/womens-participation-in-church-demands.html
The problem isn't women, but the Church.
Yet, women all ran away from a tomb where Christ (in His temporary death) had been laid down and vanished.
King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)For this reason, as Christ Jesus had known that the women would run away, I suppose, He did not appoint beforehand any woman to a responsible position in the band of His followers.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
But in fear and awe, no beauty of a woman counts, neither envy among women is induced.
(to be continued...)
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Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.