In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.” 1 PETER 3:7 AMP
Men, hear ye! Hear ye! The way you treat your wife is being observed by God Almighty! He made the woman from the rib of Adam in Genesis 2:21-22. God made her from the rib for a reason. He didn't make her from the foot bone lest man walk all over her. He didn't make her from the head lest she rule over him. He made her from the rib so she could walk beside him as a companion and helper (see Genesis 2:18). The ribs are the cage of vital organs such as the heart and lungs. The woman is a vital part of life. The woman is distinctly different hormonally and physically. She has anatomical distinctions that make her unique and completely compatible to man. God, the Master designer, intended this. God made her, brought her to Adam, and called her "woman" (meaning "taken out of man - see Genesis 2:23). The Hebrew word for man is "Ish". The Hebrew word for woman is "Isha". God made the woman beautiful and complimentary to man in every way. In Genesis 2:23 Adam said that she was "bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh". Marriage is one man and one woman uniting in service to God! When we mistreat our wives we are, in essence, mistreating ourselves. God is the One who instituted marriage and no man has the right to re-define it. Marriage is so important that Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee (see John 2:1-11). Marriage is the first institution God placed in human society. It is foundational and absolutely essential to the proper function and stability of humanity. Marriage pre-dates Nations, Government, and Church. Marriage is identified as being a type of Christ and the church (Christ the groom and the church His bride - see Ephesians 5:22-33; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 19:1-10). Jesus used Jewish marriage ceremony imagery in John 14:1-3 when He said He was going to "prepare a place" for us. In the Jewish ceremony, the bride didn't walk the isle, the groom would come at a time unannounced to receive His bride. The wedding party had to be ready. The groom had been away preparing the dwelling for their new home. Jesus will, one day, return for His bride, the church, and we must be watching and ready (Matthew 24:44). Jesus treats His bride, the church (the redeemed) with love, patience, tenderness, and all the attributes of utmost Righteousness. We, as men, are to follow His example. If we do not, our prayers will be hindered and rendered ineffective.
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![]() Rev. Curtis Norris Archives
March 2020
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