Modern culture has created a mold for today’s husbands and wives, and too many are allowing themselves to be poured right into it. Husbands are depicted (because this is what is wanted and expected of them) to be weak, helpless, lazy, childlike, cowering, bumbling oafs. And, if one of them attempts to step out of that mold and take on a stronger role, he is depicted as an arrogant, demeaning, dictatorial, heartless brute. Wives are depicted (because this is what is wanted and expected of them) to be the only one in the relationship who has any sense, any intelligence, any initiative, and she is the one who runs the show. And, if one of them attempts to take a more submissive role, she is depicted as a pitiful, sad, clueless simpleton.
Husbands, it is time to be husbands, as God intended! God’s husbands are like Noah, who provided for his family. God’s husbands are like Abraham, who led his family in faithful service to God. God’s husbands are like Jacob, who was a diligent, dependable, hardworking man. God’s husbands are like Boaz, who found generous ways to make his wife feel special. God’s husbands are like Hosea, who remained faithful to his unfaithful wife. God’s husbands are like Joseph, who took responsibility for the task that God had given to him and his wife. What we see in these husbands is what God intended for husbands to be. “The husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church” (Eph. 5:23). A husband is to unconditionally and unselfishly love his wife, and to nourish and cherish her, as Jesus does the church (Eph. 5:25-28). A husband is to give honor to his wife, “as to the weaker vessel” (1 Pet. 3:7). Husbands, it is time!
Wives, it is time to be wives, as God intended! God’s wives are like Sarah, who followed her husband, as he followed the Lord. God’s wives are like Ruth, who humbled herself before her husband and allowed him to be her protector. God’s wives are like Priscilla, who worked alongside her husband in tent-making and disciple-making. God’s wives are like Mary, who submitted to her husband, as she submitted to God. What we see in these wives is what God intended for wives to be. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord…Let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Eph. 5:22, 33). Wives are to “love their husbands” and be “subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (Tit. 2:4-5). Wives, it is time!
Modern culture has completely warped God’s design. Whether it is popular or not, whether it fits the mold or not, we must go back to God’s design and be the men and the husbands that God designed us to be, and to be the women and the wives that God designed us to be! It is time!