|
|
Dwelling Together 1Pet 3:7 Peter commands husbands to dwell with their wives in knowledge. This requires that a husband be well acquainted with the nature and needs of his wife. I think it will be worthwhile to expand on this and run it out in all directions, including ways in which the same admonition could be given to wives. Consider a few general remarks on dwelling together in knowledge. First, this requires that we be students of our mates. Do you know her likes and needs? Are you familiar with his plans and goals? While some of this knowledge can be gained by careful observation, the lion’s share must be gained through conversation. Without direct, transparent communication we can never fulfill God’s requirement for us to dwell with our mates in an understanding manner. Second, we must be willing to put our knowledge to work. Understanding may be half the battle, but it is only half. We must put this knowledge to work in an unselfish way as instructed in Philippians 2:1-4. Husbands are called to provide a dwelling place for their wives and families. He does this in the obvious way of being a financial provider for the family. Food, clothing and children are specifically mentioned in Exodus 21:10. He also protects the home from harm that would come from the outside I stood up and said...“Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes” (Neh 4:14). Though it is clearly the responsibility of men to physically defend their homes and homeland it is also our duty to protect our homes from evil influences that seek to destroy the souls of those under our roof. An apt analogy of a husband’s responsibility is to think of him as the 2x6's that make up the exterior walls of a house. Hard and weathered on the outside, but soft and warm on the interior. On the outside he faces the heat, cold and tough elements of the world, but on the inside he provides comfort and warmth to his family. Scripture squarely places the management of the home in the hands of the Lady of the house. Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully (1Tim 5:14). The Greek word for manage the house is oikodespoteo it might be literally translated “house despot.” She is to manage or rule the house. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander (Titus 2:4-5).This requires remarkable competence in a wide range of areas. It also means that everyone in the household is to obey the rules she establishes for the smooth operation of the house. But lest any ladies with a penchant for totalitarianism get the wrong impression, the Bible teaches us that authority is to be used to serve others. So, she is obligated to make the home a desirable place for her family to live. This involves a balance between cleanliness and order on the one hand and ease and comfort on the other. Mistakes in this area can be avoided by remembering the point – you are creating a culture for life. A place where your family delights to dwell. In the end the only basis for a marriage to flourish is that of the example of mutual love and selfless devotion patterned on the example of Christ and the church. Let us strive to make our marriages reflect the glory of that central marriage.— Lawrence Kelley
|