Reflections from June 10, 2010

In Ephesians 5:24-25 it says, "Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her."

These verses are a progression or hierarchy of submission that Paul speaks of, ending with husbands and wives. It's interesting to note that Paul uses the submission of wives to husbands, but then changes to husbands loving wives. Is there no submission on the man's part?

Well, there is. Men submit to the church, to Jesus, to the Holy Spirit, to each other, and of course to God. And in doing so, we are in essence submitting to our wives; we're submitting to a lifestyle of following God's word as it relates to our relationship to our wife, by removing selfish ambition with God's leadership in our life.

Specifically for husbands, this brought about a change in culture for the 1st century inhabitants. During this time, husbands were generally much older than the wife. Thus, he would frequent other partners for sex, taking on a wife only to father legitimate children. A girl of 13 or 14 entered an arranged marraige, frequently against her will and often with a man shed had never previously met. There was little communication, cooperation, or affection -- or expectations of these.
But with a new life in Christ, there is a new patter in marraige. Paul's instructions to husbands to love their wives and seek her personal development were radical new ideas in this culture. The wife responds with committment and loyalty, not as an act of subordination, but a wholehearted response to the love of a husband.

For additional reading on this topic, see Reflection posting of April 1, 2010.

In Proverbs 10:21 we read today, "The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom."

A fool here is not one that has been denied access to God's word, and His principles, but has knowingly rejected God's wisdom in their life. It's a foolish thing to do as it will result in his death. The righteous use their wisdom, that is their knowledge of God's plan, and spread this to others thus "feeding" them God's truth. We should strive to feed as many as possible.

Blessings to all