*“GOD’S DIVINE PLAN FOR WIVES/MOTHERS”
Marriage Seminar Outline Series
*Taken from M. H. Lewis, P.hD (God’s Divine plan for the family)
Revised by George L. Lockhart, Pastor
Test of Sarah's Faith
Gen 12:14 Abraham, Sarah and Pharaoh of Egypt.
Gen 20:1 Abraham, Sarah, and Ambimelech King of Gerar.
Hebrews 11:11 Sarah’s faith through Abram to God.
Peter 3:5,6 Sarah obedient to Abram
Psalm 25:20, 21 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Let thy uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
We exist in a period where words are continually being redefined. One word that has experienced risky redefinition recently is the term wife. This has led to misperception and an undue amount of uncertainty in families. Because of this, it is vital to know what is the Biblical definition and role of a wife.
What is the mutual description of the word wife?
The word wife is commonly defined as (1): a married woman considered in relation to her husband. This has significant meaning when looking at the Bible definition of a wife.
What is the Bible description of the word wife?
The first Biblical reference to a wife is found Genesis 2:21-25 when God made a woman from Adam’s rib. Here the concept of a one flesh relationship in marriage is established. It is clear from these words that a wife is a woman.
As a woman, God gave her certain roles. We find those roles in Titus 2:3-5, 1 Timothy 5:14; and Proverbs 31:10-31.
What is the role of a wife?
Proverbs 31:10-31 gives four roles for a woman. These roles apply perfectly to the marriage relationship. Many may disagree with these roles, but this was God’s plan for wives.
A Discrete Wife
Proverbs 31:10-12 says a woman’s virtue and discretion is priceless (See also 1 Timothy 5:11-14; Titus 2:3-5; 1 Peter 3:1-4). She keeps the secret details of her intimate family life separate from others. She is devoted to being good her husband and does not gossip to others about him. She shares her heart with him as he does with her. This verbal intimacy and private time develop a deep trust and strengthens their bond to one another.
A Chaste Wife
A wife must be chaste or sexually faithful to her husband and provide for his sexual needs. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 says that the wife’s body belongs to her husband and that she should not withhold herself from him sexually (1 Corinthians 7:6-9; Matthew 19:1-19). This is for two reasons: to meet his sexual needs and to protect him from the temptation to have a sexual affair.
A Keeper of the Home
Genesis 1:26-27 says God gave mankind dominion over all living things on the earth, which includes the husband’s dominion over his household (1 Corinthians 1:1-16; 1 Timothy 2:12-14; Ephesians 5:22- 32). However, the wife has the role of keeping or managing the household as a sub-dominion. This requires a wife to submit to her husband’s leadership (Ephesians 5:22), not in a way that is demeaning but is in synch with supporting one another as believers (Ephesians 5:21).
A Spiritual Wife
Although the husband must provide for the wife’s Spiritual needs, she must develop a close relationship with Jesus Christ so that she can model Christ. To model Christ as a wife, she must model Christ as a woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). This is because Christ is the cornerstone and the Word of God is the foundation of all of all that we say and do (Acts 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 1 Peter 2:1-8).
The Institution of Marriage
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Ordained ( 2:18 help meet)
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Gen. 3:16, Isaiah 4:1 (seven to one)
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Hebrews 13:4 M. is honorable, 1Cor 11:13)
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Necessary and sufficient Gen. 1:22 Be fruitful
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A Women is for her husband (Song of Solomon 1:3; 4:5; 7:3
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Church versus Home Administration
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Women in church administration
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“A woman shall compass a man” (Jer. 31:22)
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“God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34; Gal. 3:28)
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Women in household administration
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“Who can find a virtuous woman…?” (Prov. 31:10-31)
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“Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands (Ephesians 5:22, I Pet. 3:1-6)
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1 Corinthians 7:1-5 duty of marriage; Ephesians 5:22; Titus 2:3-5 Older women
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CASE STUDIES
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Eve, Mother of Cain, Able, and Seth (Gen. 4:1, 2, 25); Jochebed, Moses’ mother (Exo. 2:2, 3; 6:20); Eunice, Timothy’s mother (II Tim. 1:5); and Lois, Timothy’s grandmother (II Tim 3:15)
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Hannah, Wife of Elkanah, Mother of Samuel (I Sam. 1:1-28)
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“For this child, I prayed…;” (I Sam. 1:27)
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“Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord;” (I Sam. 1:28)
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Elizabeth, Wife of Zacharias, Mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-79)
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“Blessed is she that believed;” (Luke 1:46)
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Unborn babe, mother, and father receive the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:6, 15, 41, 67)
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Mary, (espoused) Wife of Joseph, Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:5-79)
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“My soul doth magnify the Lord” (Luke 1:46)
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“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10)
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Train up the children (Prov. 22:6); teach the children (Deut. 6:7; 10:12; Matt. 22:37; Luke 23:27-31)
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Remember thy Creator (Eccl. 12th chapter)
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There is an end (Song 8:1-4)
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The conclusion of the matter (Ecclesiastes 12:8, 12-14)
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Women have been liberated right out of the genuine freedom they enjoyed for centuries to oversee the home, rear the children, and pursue personal creativity; they have been brainwashed to believe that the absence of a titled, payroll occupation enslaves a woman to failure, boredom, and imprisonment within the confines of home. Though feminism speaks of liberation, self-fulfillment, personal rights, and breaking down barriers, these phrases inevitably mean the opposite. In fact, the opposite is true because a salaried job and titled position can inhibit a woman’s natural nesting instinct and maternity by inverting her priorities so that failures almost inevitably come in the rearing of her own children and the building of an earthly shelter for those whom she loves most.
Keeping the home is God’s assignment to the wife-even down to changing the sheets, doing the laundry, and scrubbing the floors. In Titus 2:3-5, Paul admonishes the older women to teach the younger women, among other things, “to love their husbands and children, … to be busy at home” (oikourgous, Greek, literally “home-workers”). The home was once described as “… a place apart, a walled garden, in which certain virtues too easily crushed by modern life could be preserved,” and the mother in this home was described as “The Angel in the House.” A 1982 Gallup poll showed that more than eight out of ten respondents (82 percent) assigned top priority on an eleven-point scale to the importance of family life. Families, health, and self-respect all were rated as more important than the possession of material goods.
Few women realize what great service they are doing for mankind and for the kingdom of Christ when they provide a shelter for the family and good mothering-the foundation on which all else is built. A mother builds something far more magnificent than any cathedral-the dwelling place for an immortal soul (both her child’s fleshly tabernacle and his earthly abode). No professional pursuit so uniquely combines the most menial tasks with the most meaningful opportunities.
Top Reasons for Divorce (Leaves out Religion)
No marriage is easy, and no marriage is quite the same. Of the various reasons for Divorce, religion is uncannily missing for a resolve. God wants us to be married (Proverbs 18:22) and have children (Psalms 127:5). All under the umbrella of Loving one another! Love is the key.
Ecclesiastes 4:9: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?"
Even couples with the best intentions are sometimes unable to overcome their challenges and end up in courtrooms. Communication (what YOU want with compromise) in a marriage is critical. Don’t wait until they are beyond repair. Galatians 5:22 instructs to practice the fruits of the Spirit – especially with our loved ones. Make intimacy a priority, go on holidays and seek marriage counseling (even when things are fine) to preserve the health and longevity of your relationship.
The Top reasons for divorce in the U.S.
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Infidelity
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Money
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Lack of Communication
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Consistently Arguing
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Weight gain
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Unrealistic expectations
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Lack of intimacy
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Not Equals
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Not Ready for Marriage
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Abuse