The Home As God Intended

Introduction

In the beginning

It was not good that man should be alone ()

This creates a home or family

an help (עֵזֶר ʿêzer, ay´-zer; from 5826) is defined as aid:—help. (Strong’s (Vol. 2, p. 87).)

Man needed a helper or companion in life

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 87). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Animals were not a suitable option ()

Woman was formed from the man ()

She was fashioned from the rib of the man

She is like man but has key differences

She is man’s complement (counterpart)

Adam asserted authority over her by giving her a name - woman

Marriage was instituted ()

It is between one (eligible) man and one (eligible) woman

They are to be joined together through physical life (; )

cleave (דָּבַק dâbaq, daw-bak´) a prim. root; prop. to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; fig. to catch by pursuit:—abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. (Strong’s (Vol. 2, p. 29).)

Husband and wife are to become “one flesh”

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Thus marriage was established “at the beginning” and its role in society cannot be understated

Husband and wife make up the home

home is defined as the social unit formed by a family living together (Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.).)

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

The home is one of three divinely sanctioned institutions:

Home ()

Government ()

Church ()

It is no accident that the home was established first as homes are the very building blocks of proper society

As go the homes, so goes the nation

The church is God’s nation today ()

It follows, our homes directly affect the church

We must properly understand the home, as God intended it, so we can do our best to live up to that standard

Roles of the home:

Husband

Wife

Children

Father

Mother

Roles of the home - Husband

The husband is to be the head of the home ()

God gave him authority in the home ()

The husband has a head and it is Christ ()

The husband should be the one leading the home

Women, this is not your role

The husband has the responsibility to

God took a bone out of Adam’s side to form woman

He did not take one out of his head such that the woman would rule over him

Nor did he take one from his foot such that he would trample over her

They are to be walking side by side through life

Young women, find a Christian man to marry

How can your husband lead you to heaven if he is outside the body of Christ?

He cannot even approach God in prayer for you! ()

The husband is to love his wife ()

This is the highest form of love and is illustrated by what Christ did for the church

Purchased it with his own blood ()

This love seeks out the highest benefit for the recipient

What could be a greater display of love then helping your wife get to heaven, husbands?

She is not your “ball and chain” or your “old lady”

These are derogatory terms meant to tear down showing bitterness; we are not to be bitter toward our wives! ()

She is your “help meet”

A wife is a blessing from the Lord ()

The husband should love his wife as his own body ()

This gets back to the idea of “one flesh”

This eliminates the abusive husband in one fell swoop

The husband and wife do not have power over their own bodies ()

“I have a headache” does not fly!

The husband must nourish and cherish his wife ()

nourisheth (ἐκτρέφω ĕktrĕphō, ek-tref´-o; from 1537 and 5142) to rear up to maturity, i.e. (gen.) to cherish or train:—bring up, nourish. (Strong’s (Vol. 1, p. 27).)

The husband must provide for his family ()

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 27). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

cherisheth (θάλπω thalpō, thal´-po) prob. akin to θάλλω thallō (to warm); to brood, i.e. (fig.) to foster:—cherish. (Strong’s (Vol. 1, p. 35).)

The husband takes care of his body thus he must take care of his wife

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 35). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Remember husband and wife are “one flesh”!

An assault on one is an assault on both

The husband is to give honor to the wife ()

It starts with knowledge of God’s word ()

honour (5092. τιμή timē, tee-may´; from 5099) a value, i.e. money paid, or (concr. and collect.) valuables; by anal. esteem (espec. of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:—honour, precious, price, some. (Strong's (Vol. 1, p. 72).)

A virtuous women’s worth is far above rubies (, )

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 72). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Am I treating my wife this way?

It has a direct impact on my prayer life

hindered (1465. ἐγκόπτω ĕgkŏptō, eng-kop´-to; from 1722 and 2875) to cut into, i.e. (fig.) impede, detain:—hinder, be tedious unto. (Strong's (Vol. 1, p. 25).)

The Christian home are joint heirs of the grace of life

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 25). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Eternal life! ()

Roles of the home - Wife

The wife is to be in subjection to her husband (; )

submit yourselves (5293. ὑποτάσσω hupŏtassō, hoop-ot-as´-so; from 5259 and 5021) to subordinate; reflex. to obey:—be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto. (Strong’s (Vol. 1, p. 75).)

hupotasso (ὑποτάσσω, 5293), primarily a military term, “to rank under” (hupo, “under,” tasso, “to arrange”) (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 606).)

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 606). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

God’s chain of authority ()

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 75). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Established early on ()

Wives, you do not “wear the pants” in the marriage relationship!

Notice, the submission to the husband is also “as unto the Lord”

Young men, find yourself a Christian wife

If you marry a woman who will not submit to Christ what makes you think she will submit to you?

You need help, not conflict!

Notice, husband and wife are to submit to one another in the fear of the Lord ()

Submission is motivated by love ()

The church loves Christ and because we love Him we do what He says (, , )

The same is to be practiced by the wife toward her husband in every thing

But what if my husband tries to stop me from going to worship? ()

This highlights, once again, the need to marry a godly man

A man of God would not prevent you from doing what is right and would only seek your highest welfare

What if I married a non-Christian, should I submit to him? Yes! ()

Ladies, make your goal to be “holy women” who “trust in God” ()

Submission is closely related to reverence ()

reverence (5399. φοβέω phŏbĕō, fob-eh´-o; from 5401) to frighten, i.e. (pass.) to be alarmed; by anal. to be in awe of, i.e. revere:—be (+ sore) afraid, fear (exceedingly), reverence. (Strong's (Vol. 1, p. 76).)

Wives, your husband is not “an idiot” that “can’t do anything right”

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 76). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

You are to respect him

So, maybe he is not the smartest guy in the world but it reflects worse on you to belittle him when you should be helping him!

The Bible has much to say about a contentious woman

“contentions of a wife” ()

“brawling woman” ()

“contentious and an angry woman” ()

“contentious woman” ()

Ladies, do not be like this woman!

Set your target much, much higher!

Wives, set your target as the virtuous woman ()

This woman is “priceless” ()

Young men, this is your goal for selecting a wife

You can trust her ()

She does good ()

She is a diligent worker ()

She honors and respects her husband ()

She is thrifty ()

She is wise and kind ()

“...a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” ()

It does not get better than this as a wife!

Roles of the home - Children

Sadly, some women are described

A home is home without children

However, God wants His creation to “be fruitful and multiply” ()

This was repeated to Noah and his sons after the flood ()

This multiplication will introduce children into the home and they too are a blessing from God ()

Once children are introduced into the home things change!

A husband also becomes a father

A wife also becomes a mother

Responsibilities abound on all fronts!

Children are to obey their parents ()

obey (5219. ὑπακούω hupakŏuō, hoop-ak-oo´-o; from 5259 and 191) to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by impl. to heed or conform to a command or authority:—hearken, be obedient to, obey. (Strong’s (Vol. 1, p. 73))

Have you ever had to tell your children to listen? Children need to listen to their parents!

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 73). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Notice, it is “in the Lord” or “in Christ”

It is in accordance with the will of God to do this!

It is well pleasing to God ()

What does that say about disobedience to parents?

Obedience to parents is right

right (1342. δίκαιος dikaiŏs, dik´-ah-yos; from 1349) equitable (in character or act); by impl. innocent, holy (absol. or rel.):—just, meet, right (-eous). (Strong’s (Vol. 1, p. 23))

Talking about moral rightness

This word is used to describe Jesus! (Just: , )

Children, we want to be like Jesus!

Jesus obeyed His parents ()

He lived in a time where continued and stubborn disobedience was severely punished too! ()

Obedience to parents is wise (, , )

Children are to honor their parents ()

honour (5091. τιμάω timaō, tim-ah´-o; from 5093) to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; by impl. to revere:—honour, value. (Strong's (Vol. 1, p. 72))

This law goes back to the Ten Commandments () and was repeated ()

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 72). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Jesus acknowledged this ()

Cited and

Children need to respect their parents!

This applies to any age of the child and parent!

Parents, at some point, will need their children’s help

Children are to help their parents thus giving them honor

Sadly, there were those that did not do this ()

There are still those that do not do this, but not so with a Christian!

There is a promise attached to the command to “honor thy father and mother”

Promise of wellness and a long life ()

This verse continues what is stated in and

We want a good life on this earth, do we not?

The obedience and honoring of our parents helps us to have that

Cursing (the opposite of honor) caused a child to be put to death under the Old Law ()

Dishonoring and disrespecting parents leads to dishonoring and disrespecting authority

No respect for mom and dad leads to no respect for the government, the police and God

This will shorten lifespan; turn on the news and view it 24/7

Conclusion

God has clearly defined marriage for us ()

Man cannot and should not alter this!

The home is not to be tampered with without consequence

God has clearly defined roles in the home for the husband and the wife

Man should not alter this!

The home is not to be tampered with without consequence

When the home is how God intended then you have a slice of heaven on earth

There will be difficult times but you can face those together, as husband and wife, and help each other to get through them

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