The Heart of a Family
As the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Ephesians 5:24
Read 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
The husband is the head of his wife because Adam was created first; Eve was made from his rib. This principle has been determined by the creation order. Everything went wrong when Satan directed his attention to Eve instead of Adam. Eve should never have taken matters into her own hands; that duty belonged to man.
This matter of wrongful appropriation threatens society to this day. The task of headship and rule does not belong to women, whether in the home or in the church. This is not because she is inferior, but because the Lord had not given her this position.
This submission, however, does have its boundaries. Our marriage form states that the woman must be obedient unto her husband in all lawful things. When the husband, as head, demands questionable or sinful things from his wife, then, as the body, she may not obey him.
The woman is the heart of the family. The heart does not beat in the head, but in the body. A wise woman knows how to deal with the infirmities of her husband. She deals patiently with him and is sympathetic to his weaknesses. She stimulates and encourages her husband; she supports him so he is able to do his daily work well. The primary calling of the wife lies in caring for her husband and her family. We must never depart from this biblical imperative.
Thought: The woman is the center of a household around which everything revolves.
Psalter 370: 1,2 (based on Psalm 133) How good and pleasant is the sight When brethren make it their delight To dwell in blessed accord; Such love is like anointing oil That consecrates for holy toil The servants of the Lord. Such love in peace and joy distills, As o’er the slopes of Herman’s hills Refreshing dew descends; The Lord commands His blessing there, And they that walk in love shall share In life that never ends.