Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 31:10 (04/13/23)
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TITLE: Where Have All the Ladies Gone? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
04/18/23 -
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Our primary enemy is not our spouse, siblings, children, in-laws, or parents. Our enemy is the Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil that have successfully influenced the negative choices that wayward family members have made, are making, and will make in the future.
As political and religious leadership have correctly indicated, how goes the family, goes the nation, and the world at large. No wonder the devil makes the family unit, that God designed, a primary target.
Rebellion against authority is an inherent part of the fallen nature that is hostile towards God, or in this scenario, the things of God (1).
Fallen Man does like anyone telling him what he has to do.
In the aftermath of this onslaught, we have a “liberated” family structure and a society whose members are self-centered, non-authoritarian, with little or no genuine concern for others beyond what others can do for them.
God has chosen to place the husband in the position of marital authority over the wife, and for fathers and mothers to have parental authority over the children.
These principles were established in the Old Testament dispensation and reinforced in the Church Age dispensation in which we are living (2).
Final authority does not mean tyranny. Note the balancing marital elements of Eph. 5: 25, 33, and the guidance for fathers concerning the children.
Failure on the part of one partner does not justify rebellion or bitterness on the part of the other. Such negative responses violate the command (not an option) of Romans 12: 19.
Note that while marital authority is delegated to the male partner, male dominance in the home has its limitations, and does not apply outside of marriage.
When men and woman choose to embrace Christian marriage, they, in doing so, sacrifice the independence and freedom that single men and women have, and take on the marital and parental responsibilities called for in Scripture.
These separate, but equal, responsibilities provide both advantages and obligations for each partner.
Marital and parental authority are delegated forms of authority that come from God, the source of all authority. We are accountable for neglecting or abusing authority, and for any insubordination towards authority (3).
The only time, what would be otherwise considered insubordination, can be justified is when one is told to do (or not to do) something that God either prohibits or requires (4) Acts 5: 29).
A Godly wife, via example, plays a key role in the instilling of discipline in the lives of the children when she complies with marital authority, especially when she is in total disagreement with the decisions of her husband.
Liberal human viewpoint, but not God, perceives the traditional role of a godly wife and mother to be inferior. In God’s eyes, she is the other half of the same coin.
Some would say that she is the better half, concurring with William Ross Wallace’s poem, contending that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Contrary to human viewpoint, Scripture tells us that the one who serves is greater than the one served, and that the needs of others are to be considered more important than our own (5).
Proverbs 31: 10 KJV rhetorically asks who can find a “virtuous” woman (to become one’s wife). This virtuousness is based on her appearance, thoughts, speech, priorities, activities, behavior, and subordination to marital authority. In context, this virtuousness is synonymous with godliness.
Especially in times of widespread apostasy, finding the type of woman who, by her own choice, will fulfill the role of a godly wife, can be a hard find. But to find such a valuable woman, is worth the search and wait.
Proverbs 31: 11-31 goes on to provide a list of examples and characteristics associated with being a godly wife. These activities take place inside and outside of the home.
Note however, these are indicators that she already is a godly wife, and not that these things are the means to become or to remain one.
A boisterous woman may impress the world, but it is a woman with a quiet and gentle spirit that is “precious” in the eyes of God (6).
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(1) Romans 8: 7 (2) Gen. 3: 16/Exodus 20: 12/Eph. 5: 22-24) (3) Romans 13: 1, 2 (4) Acts 5: 29 (5) Mark 9: 35/Phil. 2: 3, 4 (6) 1Pet. 3: 4.
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