So Also the Wives

Introduction

We are continuing our series on the home with a look at wives.

These lessons aren’t exhaustive but rather focussing on areas that I think need attention.

I will probably get a little into areas that the ladies class will cover this month.

Repetition is not a bug, it is feature here. These are things that bear a LOT of repeating these days.

Who is the Greatest?

The ideal role of the woman can be pursued to varying degrees (Tit. 2:3-5; 1 Tim. 2:15).

This is about priority.

Do you consider this your primary role or simply one role among many bearing equal weight.

It is possible to do good while not doing the ideal (Lk. 10:38-42; Jn. 12:1-3).

Martha’s activity is not as problematic as her attitude while doing it.

This is illustrated in the second passage.

Valid choices do not all bear equal weight (2 Cor. 11:23-28; 1 Tim. 5:3, 17).

It isn’t a contest, but if it were, here is what the winner would look like.

We think all valid choices must be given equal praise and to hold up one choice with greater honor is to condemn all the other choices.

Follow the Leader

Submission and obedience are commands to wives (Eph. 5:22-24; 1 Pet. 3:1-6).

This is military terminology, but we are not an army.

These qualities are freely given, not forced by a drill sergeant.

You must submit even when he is not demanding (especially then).

The difficulty of submission and obedience only comes when you DON’T agree.

But military leadership principles apply.

There is a chain of command.

Criticism that runs uphill must tread more carefully.

Men in authority ought to display proper respect for authority if they want to receive it.

This is done with a particular attitude that appeals to a man (1 Pet. 3:1-6).

Good Management

Shopping as a virtue and not therapy (Prov. 31:14, 21-22).

Being a home maker is a domestic duty.

This involves all of those traditional tropes about women.

Are you not a good cook? There are remedies for that sort of thing.

She rules with the law of kindness (Prov. 31:26).

“Happy wife, happy life” is true, but not in the way it is generally used.

It is not just efficient management, but the kind that makes for a pleasant environment.

She pays attention to what she is doing (Prov. 31:26; Tit. 2:4).

Conclusion

All of this (as I have said before) is a reflection of something far greater.

We are each a part of that greater thing reflected who are Christians.

You are teaching your children everyday about Christ and the Church.

What are you teaching them?

Whether you are married or not, don’t you want to be a part of that greater marriage (the only perfect one).