I haven't read the entire thread. The title alone is enough of an indication of how this discussion will flow
As a christian wife, this subject has been one of interest to me. And as a woman who is vocal, assertive, opinionated and quite a control-freak I've done what many here seem to be doing, applying my mind and logic in an attempt to understand God's Word instead of studying and heeding the guidance of the HolySpirit. (We expect un-believers to follow their own reasoning but as believers we know our(human) thoughts and ways, are not His). My husband and I are both learning that God's magnificence is still revealed despite the two characters that make up my marriage.
God does not view me as "less" than my husband. The two shall become
one flesh does not imply unequal footing between us. I am not called to obey my husband, only God and children are called to obey their parents. There is no true intimacy, when
either spouse (but speaking of husbands here) are on a dominant power trip. Marriage is to be a reflection of Christ's love for the church. God Himself chose to dwell inside of human flesh and die upon the cross, becoming a
servant in the person of Jesus Christ. If the Creator of the universe submitted to this "humbling"--if you will, then it's ludicrous to think He'd call for a woman to bow down and obey a man who can barely create his own ham sandwich.
There is a personal, intimate aspect of the relationship between God and His people that is totally undiscovered when we simply read the words of the book without seeking His face. The marriage relationship,
yes, as God intended, is a beautiful dance between two equal people who love God
first and are used for His glory to reveal to the world just what a God of love he truly is via the marriage relationship!
In response to the "what about...... husbands who abuse their wives, husbands too cowardly to lead, wives too mouthy to
defer i.e
submit to their husbands, husbands who require wives to do all manner of things for their sensual pleasures (under the Ephesians 5 rule
) etc. etc. For those who
love God, most of these things will not exist in the first place. But as a lover of God myself, I freely admit, I've had to learn/
am learning to do things His way! He will bring into alignment those things that are crooked, for those who
love Him. And to those who
choose to remain "crooked" and not submit to His way......well, it is what it is!
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God certainly can work through policemen and others in government to hold men accountable for abuse of wives. Your observation was excellent.
