Putting Away Generally Forbidden
Matthew 5:31-32 reads,
5:31"It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let
him give her a writing of divorce,’ 5:32but I tell you that whoever who puts away his wife, except
for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever
marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
A man is not to put away his wife except on the ground of her committing sexual immorality. A man putting away his wife for any other reason is contributing to his wife being an adulteress, and is not guiltless.
A man who marries a put away woman commits adultery, in that he engages in sexual intercourse with a woman who does not legally belong to him, but one who belongs to another. For even if her husband has put her away, she is still technically her husband’s who has not given her a writ of divorce, for what Yahweh has joined together man has no authority to sever. Therefore a woman who is put away should not seek to live with another man, but should remain single. In this manner she will protect both herself and such a man from committing adultery, and will thereby live her life within the bounds of Yahweh’s law.
Matthew 9:14-15 reads, (Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35)
9:14Then
John’s disciples came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast
often, but your disciples don’t fast?"
9:15Jesus
said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the
bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Yah'shuah clearly showed that he is the bridegroom.
Yah'shuah's Teaching On Putting Away
Matthew 19:1-9 reads, (Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18)
19:1It
happened when Jesus had finished these words, he departed from Galilee, and
came into the borders of Judea beyond the
19:4He
answered, "Haven’t you read that he who made them
from the beginning made them male and female, 19:5and said, ‘For this
cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and
the two shall become one flesh?’ 19:6So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore
God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart."
19:7They
asked him, "Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce,
and divorce her?"
19:8He
said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of
your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has
not been so. 19:9I tell you that whoever [puts away] his wife, except for
sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and he who marries
her when she is [put away] commits adultery."
As Yahweh stated in the book of Malachi, quoted above, so also Yah'shuah stated in the above mentioned scriptures: Yahweh hates putting away. For when he created humans male and female it was for the purpose that a man shall leave his parents’ household and be joined to his wife, and he and his wife would thereby become one flesh. It was Yahweh’s intention that a man and his wife exist together in unity, and not divided, as in putting away. Also, it was he Yahweh who joined together a man and his wife, and not man. Therefore, for these reasons, man should not attempt to sever a union brought about by Yahweh himself, for man has no authority for so doing.
The only ground allowed a man for putting away his wife is whereby his wife has committed sexual immorality.
It should also be noted that a wife has no authority to leave her husband and be married to another man. Such conduct is adulterous and is punishable by death. So also is the conduct of a man putting away his wife for just about any reason. This is treachery against the wife, which Yahweh hates, and besmirches whatever righteousness the man may have had up to them, having replaced this with violence and wickedness. Such men’s conduct is also punishable by death - the second one, the permanent one!
It should therefore be noted that marriage is a lifelong union - for both the man and the wife. Sexual immorality is not to be committed by either the man or the wife. Both are to be faithful to the marriage and to one another. The man shows his faith by not putting her away and by properly providing for her in all aspects. The wife shows her faith by not committing sexual immorality and holding steadfastly to her husband.
Matthew 19:10-12 reads,
19:10His
disciples said to him, "If this is the case of the man with his wife, it
is not expedient to marry."
19:11But
he said to them, "Not all men can receive this
saying, but those to whom it is given. 19:12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their
mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there
are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the
Marriage is not a command for all human beings. It is an option given to human beings. Only that if this option is taken, there are rules governing it.
On the other hand, one can
remain single - especially those so gifted to remain so for the sake of the
If a circumstance arises as to result in a man unjustly divorcing or separating his wife from him, thereby committing treachery against her, in that he has failed to properly provide for her in all key respects, the wife should not deem this separation as license to marry another man. She should then devote herself totally to serving Yahweh. In this manner she will not be committing adultery by marrying another man. Also she will have obtained, by default, the gift of being single and should use it in the manner it ought to be, that is in totally serving Yahweh.
Matthew 22:1-2 reads,
22:1Jesus
answered and spoke again in parables to them, saying, 22:2"The
If a situation is to be patterned after the kingdom of heaven a son’s father should arrange his son’s marriage. Israelite fathers should therefore arrange marriages for their sons.
Human Marriage Valid In This Life Only
Matthew 22:23-33 reads, (Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40)
22:23On
that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him.
They asked him, 22:24saying,
"Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother
shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.’ 22:25Now there were with us seven brothers. The
first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. 22:26In like manner the second also, and the
third, to the seventh. 22:27After
them all, the woman died. 22:28In
the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all
had her."
22:29But
Jesus answered them, "You are mistaken, not
knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. 22:30For in the
resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s
angels in heaven. 22:31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read
that which was spoken to you by God, saying, 22:32‘I am the God of
Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the
dead, but of the living."
22:33When
the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Marriage is an institution for human beings. A particular marriage of a particular human being is valid only until the death of that human being. The validity of that marriage does not continue into the age to come, that is the age commencing with the resurrection of the dead. In the age of the resurrection of the dead, those so resurrected do not marry nor are they given in marriage. They are like angels of Yahweh in heaven, who do not marry nor are they given in marriage.
Marriage In The End Of The Age
Matthew 24:36-39 reads, (Luke 17: 26-27)
24:36But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of
heaven, but my Father only.
24:37"As the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son
of Man. 24:38For as in those days which were before the flood they were
eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah
entered into the ark, 24:39and they didn’t know until the flood came, and took them all
away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Yah'shuah’s prophecy for the time of his return shows that marrying and giving in marriage will continue as a way of life even right until the time of his return. It will be as it was during Noah’s time.
The Bridegroom Is To Marry Five Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13 reads,
25:1"Then the
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a scenario where ten virgins are betrothed to marry a single bridegroom. But the bridegroom will marry only those virgins who are ready for him.
It should therefore be clear from this parable that polygyny is well within the law of Yahweh. For the kingdom of heaven has been likened to a polygynous marriage, with one bridegroom and several virgin brides. In fact, if a household is to pattern itself after the kingdom of heaven, it should be a polygynous household headed by one Israelite man.
John 2:1-12 reads,
2:1The
third day, there was a marriage in Cana of
2:4Jesus
said to her, "Woman, what does that have to do
with you and me? My hour has not yet come."
2:5His
mother said to the servants, "Whatever he says to you, do it." 2:6Now there were six water pots of stone set
there after the Jews’ manner of purifying, containing two
or three metretes apiece. 2:7Jesus
said to them, "Fill the water pots with
water." They filled them up to the brim. 2:8He said to them, "Now
draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast." They took
it. 2:9When the ruler of the feast
tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the
servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the
bridegroom, 2:10and said to him,
"Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk
freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!" 2:11This beginning of his signs Jesus did in
Cana of
2:12After
this, he went down to
Hosting and attending weddings are quite in order vis-à-vis Yahweh’s law. In fact, as Matthew 22 shows, it is a father who should arrange a marriage and a wedding on behalf of his son, as this is the manner that typifies the kingdom of heaven.
Who Should Arrange A Marriage?
And on the issue of the father being the one to arrange his son’s marriage and wedding, and how this is a likening of the kingdom of Yahweh, it should not be lost on one that with respect to the marriage of the Son of Yahweh, Yah'shuah, his virgin brides, those called out of this age by Yahweh his Father, were not chosen by him as the Son. These were chosen for their calling by Yahweh himself, and those who have accepted their calling have been betrothed to Yah'shuah for marriage to him upon Yah'shuah’s return. Yah'shuah did not choose those betrothed to him for marriage. These have been chosen and given to him by his Father, and he has accepted to have them as his Father has given them to him.
It is therefore in order,
in the pattern after the
John Testifies That Yah'shuah Is The Bridegroom
John 3:22-30 reads,
3:22After
these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the
3:27John
answered, "A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from
heaven. 3:28You yourselves testify
that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ 3:29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but
the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly
because of the bridegroom’s voice. This, my joy, therefore is made full. 3:30He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptizer also testified clearly that Yah'shuah was the bridegroom, the people given to Yah'shuah the bride, and he the friend of the bridegroom, that is Yah'shuah’s friend.
Romans 7:1-3 reads,
7:1Or
don’t you know, brothers (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law
has dominion over a man for as long as he lives? 7:2For
the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but
if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 7:3So then if, while the husband lives, she is
joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband
dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is
joined to another man.
Paul reiterated the position of the law of Yahweh as recorded in the book of the Law. Specifically that a wife’s husband has authority over her only as long as he is alive. Once dead his wife if freed from being under his authority, and she is then free to come under the authority of another man as wife to this second man. But if she departs from being under her husband’s authority while her husband is still alive, and lives as someone else’s wife, then she is an adulteress. She is then deserving of death - including the second death.
Paul Reaffirms Yah'shuah's Teaching
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 reads,
7:1Now
concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch
a woman. 7:2But, because of sexual
immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own
husband. 7:3Let the husband render
to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 7:4The wife doesn’t have authority over her own
body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over
his own body, but the wife. 7:5Don’t
deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give
yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t
tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
7:6But
this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. 7:7Yet I wish that all men were like me.
However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of
that kind. 7:8But I say to the
unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. 7:9But if they don’t have self-control, let
them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn.
It is not wrong for a man to remain single. In fact, it can even be good, if such a man devotes himself totally to Yahweh’s service. Nevertheless, due to the risk of committing sexual immorality, it is better that a man be married to his own wife, and likewise a woman to her husband. And both husbands and wives should render to one another due affection, including sexual, without one denying the other.
Paul wished that all people were like him - single. For those in such state could wholeheartedly devote themselves to Yahweh’s service, without distractions inherent in one pleasing one’s spouse. But he also acknowledged that not all had this gift from Yahweh, and only those who had it could really utilise it.
Paul wished that the unmarried and widows would remain single. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that not all had self control. And rather than one be aflame with passion, such a one should marry. For it is much better to marry and serve Yahweh with distractions, than to purport to remain single and still be distracted by one’s passion, and also risk falling into sexual immorality. Only those gifted to remain single, thereby serving Yahweh wholeheartedly without the distractions of likewise trying to please a spouse, should endeavour to be and remain single. The rest, for good order before Yahweh, should be married in Yahweh.
Existing Marriages To Unbelievers
1 Corinthians 7:10-16 reads,
7:10But
to the married I command — not I, but the Lord — that the wife not leave her
husband 7:11(but if she departs, let
her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the
husband not leave his wife.
7:12But
to the rest I — not the Lord — say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and
she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. 7:13The woman who has an unbelieving husband,
and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. 7:14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified
in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise
your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. 7:15Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be
separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but
God has called us in peace. 7:16For
how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know,
husband, whether you will save your wife?
A wife is not to depart from her husband. Nevertheless, if she does, she should be reconciled to her husband. If not, she should remain single, thereby not committing adultery by living with another man.
A husband should not put away his wife, unless his wife is sexually immoral.
Whereas a spouse is married to an unbeliever, and the unbeliever determines to leave the marriage, then the believer should not stand in the way of the unbeliever. If the husband is the believer, and his departing unbelieving wife marries another, he should divorce her. If the wife is the believer, and his unbelieving husband persists in divorcing her, then she should remain single from then on. For such a divorce is void before Yahweh, and she would be committing adultery by living with another man from then on. What such a believing wife who has been treacherously treated by her husband should do is to devote herself totally to Yahweh and serve Yahweh wholeheartedly from then on.
Divorce, where the wife has not committed sexual immorality, is void before Yahweh. Nevertheless, if a husband determines to divorce his wife even when sexual immorality is lacking on the part of his wife, then his wife should not oppose him, for the sake of peace. Also, if a wife determines to leave her husband, even though she has not been validly divorced, her husband should not resolutely oppose her. This lack of resolute opposition to those who chose to disregard Yahweh is to facilitate peace in the lives of those who follow Yahweh. This was Paul’s counsel to the followers of Yahweh, for Yahweh has called us to a life of peace, not of continual warring with others.
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 reads,
7:25Now
concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment
as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. 7:26I think that it is good therefore, because
of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. 7:27Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be
freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife. 7:28But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a
virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh,
and I want to spare you. 7:29But I
say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have
wives may be as though they had none; 7:30and
those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though
they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess; 7:31and those who use the world, as not using
it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. 7:32But I desire to have you to be free from
cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may
please the Lord; 7:33but he who is
married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
7:34There is also a difference
between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the
Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married
cares about the things of the world — how she may please her husband. 7:35This I say for your own profit; not that I
may throw a snare on you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may
attend to the Lord without distraction. 7:36But
if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she
is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he
desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry. 7:37But
he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over
his own heart, to keep his own virgin, will do well. 7:38So then both he who gives his own virgin in
marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage will do better. 7:39A wife is bound by law for as long as her
husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever
she desires, only in the Lord. 7:40But
she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also
have God’s Spirit.
Because of the distressing times in which Paul wrote, it seemed good to him for men to remain in their then current marital situations, and not endeavour to change them. Therefore, if a man was married, it seemed good to Paul that he remained so. If a man was single, it seemed good to Paul that he remained so.
Nevertheless, speaking to those who were single, both male and female, Paul stated that it was not sinful if they changed their marital status and became married. But he also added that with marriage come fleshly troubles, which he Paul sought to spare the single ones from.
Paul advised all to live their lives as though without attachments to worldly things. Their focus, he continued, should be on matters of Yahweh, and not on earthly things. It was therefore his preference that this was done without distraction arising from earthly things.
Talking to men with women betrothed to them, yet not already living with them, Paul advised that they should not take them in marriage, to allow for service to Yahweh without the distraction of marriage. Nevertheless, if one's passions were strong, then it was good that one married one's betrothed. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.
Paul reiterated that an Israelite wife is bound by law to her husband as long as her husband lives, being freed from being under her husband only by her husband’s death. After her husband’s death, thereby having been freed from being under him, she becomes free to marry whomever she wishes. Only that her freedom of choice is restricted to being within the bounds of Yahweh’s law.
A Believing Widow's Freedom To Remarry
Regarding a widow’s freedom of choice with respect to a new husband and the law of Yahweh regarding a woman being married by his brother-in-law whereby she does not have a son by her late husband, Yahweh’s law must be followed. Her freedom of choice is thereby limited to one of her late husband’s brothers.
In the context of called out ones, seeing that not all of one's physical family is necessarily called to Yahweh's way through Yah'shuah the Messiah, Yahweh's law that a believer should not marry an unbeliever should be adhered to. If it so happens that the surviving brothers of a widow's dead husband are unbelievers, the widow is not permitted to marry any of them. For the law prohibiting that which is holy from being profaned by that which is unholy takes precedence here. Such a widow is therefore excused from being married by one of the surviving brothers of her dead husband.
Paul’s words also show that a woman does have a say with respect to her marriage partner, in that she can express her preference for whomever she desires to marry. Nevertheless, for her who is under the authority of a man, it is the one to whom she is under authority who will determine whether or not her wish will be granted. In other words, while an unmarried virgin daughter may declare a preference to marry a particular man, her father may object to giving her in marriage to that man, and may instead give her in marriage to another man.
With respect to a wife who has yet to bear a son to her husband, while she is primarily wife to her husband, it can be said that she is contingently wife to her husband’s wider household, meaning her husband’s brothers, contingent upon both her husband’s death and her failure to bear him a son. Once she bears him a son she is no longer contingently wife to her husband’s wider household, for if her husband dies she is not bound by Yahweh’s law to be taken as wife by any of her late husband’s brothers, for she will already have produced a son to perpetuate her late husband’s name. In such a case the wife is free to marry whomever she chooses within the bounds of Yahweh’s law, meaning a fellow Israelite.
Does A Widow Revert To Being Under Her Father's
Authority?
What is the situation that applies to a widow? After she has been released from being under the authority of her late husband by her late husband’s death, does she then revert to being under the authority of her father, or whoever is head of her father’s household if her father is also dead? Or does she become one with no human head over her in terms of her household?
It seems that her father, if still alive, has no legal authority over her. For if at the time he gave her in marriage, and received the bride price in consideration, she ceased to be under his authority and thenceforth came under the authority of her husband. But once she becomes a widow, and also having produced a son with her husband, she is released from being wife to him and is no longer under authority to any man. For her father can no longer claim to have authority over her, for he received her bride price in consideration for ceding his authority over her. It appears to me that at such stage her only head is Yahweh, and she must then conduct her life within the bounds of Yahweh’s law. She can then choose whomever she desires to marry, and if that person is willing to marry her no one really has a legal right to object.
Is A Widow's Second Marriage Devoid Of Bride
Price?
But if such is the case, will this second marriage of the widowed woman be one devoid of a bride price?
The marriage of a widowed woman appears to me to be devoid of bride price. For if there is no man with authority over her, no bride price ought to be paid to anyone for there is no one ceding authority over her in her marriage in widowhood to whomever she chooses.
Husbands Teaching Responsibility
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 reads,
14:34let
your wives keep silence in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for
them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says. 14:35If they desire to learn anything, let them
ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in
the assembly.
As women are not permitted to speak in the assemblies of called out ones, they should keep silence whenever they are in these assemblies. By so keeping silent they will be manifesting their submission, as even the law of Yahweh commands.
Also, for those women desirous of learning various matters pertaining to Yahweh’s ways, these should ask their husbands these matters at home. For it is shameful for women to disobey Yahweh’s command by so speaking in assembly. This implies that it is imperative that husbands have sufficient knowledge of Yahweh’s way, and communicative ability, in order to impart this knowledge to their wives and households. Husbands must therefore be good students of Yahweh’s way and must thoroughly learn Yahweh’s way. For Yahweh holds them responsible for ensuring that his way is taught to all in their households.
Betrothal Of The Called Out Ones
2 Corinthians 11:2 reads,
11:2For
I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband,
that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
The called out ones are betrothed to one husband - the Messiah.
Why Yahweh Instructed Abraham To Put Hagar Away
Galatians 4:21-31 reads,
4:21Tell
me, you that desire to be under the law, don’t you listen to the law? 4:22For it is written that Abraham had two
sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the free woman. 4:23However, the son by the handmaid was born
according to the flesh, but the son by the free woman was born through promise.
4:24These things contain an
allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from
"Rejoice, you barren who don’t bear.
Break forth and shout, you that don’t travail.
For more are the children of the desolate than
of her who has a husband."
4:28Now
we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 4:29But as then, he who was born according to
the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is
now. 4:30However what does the
Scripture say? "Throw out the handmaid and her son, for the son of the
handmaid will not inherit with the son of the free woman." 4:31So then, brothers, we are not children of a
handmaid, but of the free woman.
The reason why Yahweh permitted the putting away of the bondwoman Hagar, together with her son Ishmael, had to do with inheritance. The son of the bondwoman was not to be heir with the son of the freewoman.
Is this an all-embracing principle, or was it particular to this case?
It appears to me that this
matter was particular to this case, for Avraham’s grandson Jacob also had sons
by freewomen and by bondwomen, yet all of his sons, both those from the
freewomen and those from the bondwomen, shared in Jacob’s inheritance, thereby
forming the twelve tribes of
This is further confirmed by the accounts in Genesis 25. For even after the death of his wife Sarah, it is shown that Avraham had another wife, Keturah, who also bore to him many sons. Yet these sons were not to share in Avraham’s inheritance, which was Isaac’s. All they were given by Avraham were gifts, but not a share in his inheritance, which belonged to Isaac.
The Marriage Relationship Between The Messiah And The Called Out Ones
Ephesians 5:22-33 reads,
5:22Wives,
be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 5:23For
the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the
assembly, being himself the savior of the body. 5:24But
as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own
husbands in everything.
5:25Husbands,
love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up
for it; 5:26that he might sanctify
it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 5:27that he might present the assembly to
himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish. 5:28Even
so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who
loves his own wife loves himself. 5:29For
no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the
Lord also the assembly; 5:30because
we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. 5:31"For this cause a man will leave his
father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one
flesh." 5:32This mystery is
great, but I speak in regard of Christ and of the assembly. 5:33Nevertheless each of you must also love his
own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Wives Should Submit To Their Husbands
Wives are to submit to their own husbands, even as they are to submit to The Messiah. For Yahweh has made the husband head over the wife, even as The Messiah is head over the assembly of called out ones. Therefore just as the assembly of called out ones is subject to The Messiah in everything, so also wives ought to be subject to their husbands in everything.
Husbands Should Love Their Wives
Husbands should love their wives in the same manner The Messiah loved the assembly of called out ones and gave himself up for her - selfless self-sacrificial love leading to the assembly of called out ones being sanctified and cleansed, and therefore capable of being presented to himself while in their sanctified and cleansed condition. Therefore the love with which husbands ought to love their wives with is that which leads to their wives being in the spiritual condition that Yahweh would have them be. This love is expressed in loving their wives in the same manner they love themselves, for just as husbands provide for themselves, they also ought to provide for their wives. And in this they will be following The Messiah’s example, who provides for his assembly of called out ones.
The reason why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two of them, the man and his wife, becoming one flesh, is that this practice typifies that of The Messiah and the assembly of called out ones. For the assembly of called out ones will eventually become one with The Messiah upon the marriage of the Messiah to the assembly of called out ones in the resurrection. Husbands therefore ought to love their wives as they love themselves, and wives also ought to respect and submit to their husbands.
Colossians 3:18-25 reads,
3:18Wives,
be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 3:19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be
bitter against them. 3:20Children,
obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. 3:21Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so
that they won’t be discouraged. 3:22Servants,
obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just
when they are looking, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing
God. 3:23And whatever you do, work
heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 3:24knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you
serve the Lord, Christ. 3:25For he
who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is
no partiality.
Wives should submit to their own husbands as is fitting in Yahweh. Likewise husbands should love their wives, and should not be bitter towards them. In other words, even if provoked, husbands should restrain themselves and avoid any bitterness taking root in them on account of their wives.
Children ought to obey their parents in all things, for this well pleasing to Yahweh. Fathers, on the other hand, should not provoke their children, lest their children become discouraged. It is therefore imperative on fathers to ensure that they bring up their children in such a manner as not to discourage them, especially in matters of Yahweh.
Bondservants should obey their masters in all things, in sincerity of heart, fearing Yahweh. Their service to their masters should be as to Yahweh, knowing that from Yahweh they will receive the reward of the inheritance.
On the other hand those who do not heed Yahweh will receive their due for not heeding Yahweh. And with Yahweh there is no partiality.
1 Timothy 5:3-16 reads,
5:3Honor
widows who are widows indeed. 5:4But
if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety
towards their own family, and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in
the sight of God. 5:5Now she who is
a widow indeed, and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in
petitions and prayers night and day. 5:6But
she who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives. 5:7Also command these things, that they may be
without reproach. 5:8But if anyone
doesn’t provide for his own, and specially his own household, he has denied the
faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. 5:9Let
none be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one
man, 5:10well reported of for good
works; if she has brought up children, if she has used hospitality to strangers,
if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she
has diligently followed every good work. 5:11But
refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they
desire to marry; 5:12having
condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. 5:13Besides, they also learn to be idle, going
about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies,
saying things which they ought not. 5:14I
desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the
household, and give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. 5:15For already some have turned aside after
Satan. 5:16If any man or woman who
believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be
burdened; that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
The counsel Paul was here giving Timothy, counsel based on Paul’s experience, clearly showed that only those gifted to be and remain single should choose this option in their lives. For a woman not so gifted who adopts the life of singlehood will inevitably not remain faithful to her vow to serve Yahweh and only Yahweh, but will eventually desire to become married, thereby abandoning her vow to Yahweh! For good order, young women, whether or not previously married, such as widows, should marry, bear children, manage their houses, love their husbands, and thereby live in a manner which gives no opportunity to Satan to lead them to a life of sexual immorality, or one which breaches other laws of Yahweh, such as occasioned by their idleness. The life of singlehood is only for those who have been given that gift by Yahweh. And this gift has not been given to all.
Titus 2:4-5 reads,
2:4that
they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 2:5to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home,
kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be
blasphemed.
Wives should love their husbands and also love their children. They should be discreet, chaste, and obedient to their husbands, that Yahweh’s word may not be blasphemed. For when those in the household of Yahweh do not live by Yahweh’s word, his word is blasphemed among his opponents.
Keeping The Marriage Bed Undefiled
Hebrews 13:4 reads,
13:4Let
marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: but God will
judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Sexual intercourse is legally authorised and permitted only between husband and wife. All other sexual intercourse is a violation of Yahweh’s law and Yahweh will appropriately judge all who so engage.
1 Peter 3:1-6 reads,
3:1In
like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any
don’t obey the Word, they may be gained by the behavior of their wives without
a word; 3:2seeing your pure behavior
in fear. 3:3Let your beauty be not
just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold,
or of putting on fine clothing; 3:4but
in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle
and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. 3:5For this is how the holy women before, who
hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own
husbands: 3:6as Sarah obeyed
Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are
not put in fear by any terror.
Wives should be submissive to their husbands. Such conduct may result in those husbands who are disobedient to Yahweh’s word being won over to obedience to Yahweh’s word by the good conduct of their wives. Such submissive conduct also includes chaste behaviour accompanied by respect for their husbands.
Among the beauty which wives should parade before their husbands includes the incorruptible one of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of Yahweh. For it is such submissive conduct that the holy women of old, in times past, paraded before their husbands, as even Sarah obeyed Avraham, calling him master. And women are spiritually daughters of Sarah only if they do well and are not afraid with any terror, such as comes from disobedience to Yahweh’s words.
1 Peter 3:7 reads,
3:7You
husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving
honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the
grace of life; not cutting off your prayers.
Husbands should dwell with their wives in an understanding manner, giving honour to them as is befitting of those who are weaker. Husbands should also note that their wives are fellow heirs with them of the grace of life. If husbands do not so treat their wives their prayers to Yahweh might be hindered.
Revelation 19:7-9 reads,
19:7Let
us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the
marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready." 19:8It was given to her that she would array
herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts
of the saints.
19:9He
said to me, "Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage
supper of the Lamb.’" He said to me, "These are true words of
God."
[<<Previous Section] [Contents]
Return to Servants of Yahweh Site Contents page.
© 1998-1999, Isaac Aluochier, All rights reserved. Published by Servants of Yahweh, P O Box 44848, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya. E-mail: servantsofyahweh@serveyahweh.org. Permission is hereby GRANTED to reproduce this and other publications in the Servants of Yahweh web site, http://www.serveyahweh.org, unless otherwise stated.