An area that plays a role in almost everyone's life is marriage. Yet, it is one of the most personal, private, potentially embarrassing and controversial areas to talk about. Especially since it involves sex.
Yet, it should not be. The Bible is very clear on what is covered in this thread.
Therefore, time to talk about it. So, we need to get some historical context.
This is not a statement that wives are dumb, not to be listened to or anything of the sort. Proverbs 31:10-31 has nothing but praise of a God fearing wise wife. It says a man who has such is truly blessed.
Are there stupid men in the world? Far too many. Even among Christians? Sadly so.
But does that change what the Bible says about marriage? No.
Moving on we now look at what the Bible says next about the relationship between a husband and wife:
Understanding polygamy was an accepted reality in those ancient days, we look at marriage in ancient Israel.
God had no Law on the earth other than Conscience. So, incest and polygamy were not actually prohibited. But, even with that, monogamy was the most common form of marriage, followed by polygamy.
With the Mosaic Law came strict prohibition of incest.
Polygamy was tolerated, but with study of the Bible you can see God did not promote it or favor it. He did heavily regulate it.
Marriage was highly structured in Israel. The Jewish Wedding Custom shows marriage back then did not resemble marriage today. While a bride had to accept the groom with the consent of her father, the groom had to buy her from her father.
She, and all her property belonged to the husband, technically.
The second way a woman could become a wife is if she were a slave and they had sex. Mosaic Law says he had to marry her.
Again, slavery is another area where it was accepted, but not God endorsed. Mosaic Law encouraged all to seek freedom, legally.
It sounds cold, but as with all such things it was frequently far more complicated. Husbands loved their wives and wives they husbands. They took care of each other, but, it was always understood and accepted he was the head of the house and the final say.
You also see in the Bible where women went to men who could take care of them and offered themselves as wives when there was no family for her, etc.
Just saying here do not think the issues of marriage, sex, etc were all the man taking advantage of women. You would be very wrong. Humans were and remain humans.
Moving on to New Testament, what does the Bible say about marriage? It says the men are to be loving, understanding, gentle and caring for their wives. It says the wives are to loving, understanding, gentle and caring for their husbands. It says the husband is the head of the house and wives are to be submissive to him.
Right there is a trigger for a lot of resistance, even among Christians. But that is what the Bible says.
Let the Bible speak for itself. There are many verses throughout the Bible on this topic. Here are some stating it most clearly:
Secular research has shown most women want strong men who can take the lead, even if only when things get rough. A lot will argue this point, but it is a reality.
Medical research has also found during sex men's drive become more aggressive and dominating. But, women become more passive, receptive and obedient.
Clearly, God built the roles of husband and wife into us. Just like he put in the Law of Conscience, it is there and not to be ignored without suffering very negative consequences; personally, family and culturally.
We see a clear evolution of marriage throughout history. What you do not see changing is God's plan for marriage is monogamy, love, caring and meeting sexual needs with the husband as the head of the house and the wife being submissive to him in that role.
That does not mean the wife has no rights or opinions, but it does mean the husband has the final say. It is a mutually respectful relationship, but you cannot have two “Chiefs” and no “Indians.”
This opens the door for other issues and conversations to follow, both on this topic and related ones.
Yet, it should not be. The Bible is very clear on what is covered in this thread.
Therefore, time to talk about it. So, we need to get some historical context.
Helper, not co-authority or power.
This is not a statement that wives are dumb, not to be listened to or anything of the sort. Proverbs 31:10-31 has nothing but praise of a God fearing wise wife. It says a man who has such is truly blessed.
Are there stupid men in the world? Far too many. Even among Christians? Sadly so.
But does that change what the Bible says about marriage? No.
Moving on we now look at what the Bible says next about the relationship between a husband and wife:
Note Genesis 2:24 is a statement of monogamy (one husband and one wife). Polygamy (one husband and more than one wife) first appeared in Genesis 4:19.
Understanding polygamy was an accepted reality in those ancient days, we look at marriage in ancient Israel.
God had no Law on the earth other than Conscience. So, incest and polygamy were not actually prohibited. But, even with that, monogamy was the most common form of marriage, followed by polygamy.
With the Mosaic Law came strict prohibition of incest.
Polygamy was tolerated, but with study of the Bible you can see God did not promote it or favor it. He did heavily regulate it.
Marriage was highly structured in Israel. The Jewish Wedding Custom shows marriage back then did not resemble marriage today. While a bride had to accept the groom with the consent of her father, the groom had to buy her from her father.
She, and all her property belonged to the husband, technically.
The second way a woman could become a wife is if she were a slave and they had sex. Mosaic Law says he had to marry her.
Again, slavery is another area where it was accepted, but not God endorsed. Mosaic Law encouraged all to seek freedom, legally.
It sounds cold, but as with all such things it was frequently far more complicated. Husbands loved their wives and wives they husbands. They took care of each other, but, it was always understood and accepted he was the head of the house and the final say.
You also see in the Bible where women went to men who could take care of them and offered themselves as wives when there was no family for her, etc.
Just saying here do not think the issues of marriage, sex, etc were all the man taking advantage of women. You would be very wrong. Humans were and remain humans.
Moving on to New Testament, what does the Bible say about marriage? It says the men are to be loving, understanding, gentle and caring for their wives. It says the wives are to loving, understanding, gentle and caring for their husbands. It says the husband is the head of the house and wives are to be submissive to him.
Right there is a trigger for a lot of resistance, even among Christians. But that is what the Bible says.
Let the Bible speak for itself. There are many verses throughout the Bible on this topic. Here are some stating it most clearly:
Another reality, which is being acknowledge by more and more of the feminist of the world, is biology. They want to be dominated during sex.
Secular research has shown most women want strong men who can take the lead, even if only when things get rough. A lot will argue this point, but it is a reality.
Medical research has also found during sex men's drive become more aggressive and dominating. But, women become more passive, receptive and obedient.
Clearly, God built the roles of husband and wife into us. Just like he put in the Law of Conscience, it is there and not to be ignored without suffering very negative consequences; personally, family and culturally.
We see a clear evolution of marriage throughout history. What you do not see changing is God's plan for marriage is monogamy, love, caring and meeting sexual needs with the husband as the head of the house and the wife being submissive to him in that role.
That does not mean the wife has no rights or opinions, but it does mean the husband has the final say. It is a mutually respectful relationship, but you cannot have two “Chiefs” and no “Indians.”
This opens the door for other issues and conversations to follow, both on this topic and related ones.
