"Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." (Proverbs 11:22 NIV)
International Women's Day, the 8th of March, became a big holiday in the former Soviet Union even though it originally started out as part of the women's social movement in America.
In modern Russia and Ukraine where I have some experience, this holiday is not a day off from work, but a day when boys give girls beautiful flowers or chocolates or some special gift. Wives sometimes receive honor and recognition from their husbands when the husband will cook, give chocolates, flowers or some other special gift. If only for one day, women and girls are made to feel as a very special part of society. In America, we do honor our mothers on Mother's Day, but this 8th of March holiday celebrates all women.
The Bible is the best source book for information on how men and women should live with each other. The Bible explains the origin of the first woman as coming from the flesh of her husband – Adam. (Genesis 2:22-24) According to the Webster's 10th Collegiate Dictionary, the English word Woman derives from the Old English - wifman or wife man. In other words a full and complete human being the same as Man, but with special characteristics for being a wife.
We read about many incredible women in the Bible and learn from them how we want our girls to grow up and be like the heroes of the Bible. Just like today, in Bible times we read about women who could keep house and also go out and run the country, care for Messiah, do missionary work, buy and sell goods in the marketplace, or when necessary - go fight a war.
Often we notice women around Cedar Key dropping the kids off at school and then next they may be seen putting on a wet suit and going out with their husbands to plant or harvest clams. Often they will pick up the kids, and be expected to have dinner on the table and look beautiful for their men at suppertime. Some women are serving the community in the classroom helping children of other women learn how to function in this world. We see our women keeping our bustling hospitality industry running by cleaning hotel rooms, cooking in restaurants, and waiting on hungry and anxious customers. Often we see our women serving the community on our city and county commissions, in the State House, as attorneys and judges, prison guards, police officers, firefighters, school principals, on school boards, university professors, engineers, scientists, physicians and in the highest offices in Washington. Many Levy County women and others around the country and the world own and operate small as well as global business enterprises and other organizations.
Have you heard this old saying lately? "A woman's place is in the home." The truth is that a woman`s best place to serve and honor God is in the home. (Proverbs 31:10-31) However, at the same time we can also say with certainty that a man`s place is in the home. (Ephesians 5:25-33) There is no such thing as a good home without a loving and caring husband and father to bring home the bacon and show sincere love and concern for the education and development of his wife, along with their sons and daughters.
An intelligent and Godly couple will always enjoy the benefits of working together in all matters. Once a man told a group of fellow entrepreneurs when they were organizing a new business venture: "Let's agree not to tell our wives anything about our business." The other men were shocked to hear this coming from a man who held himself out as a good Christian. What better partner could a man or woman have than the person who is one with them in the flesh? They can bring forth babies together, then they surely can run a bank together or a fishing business.
A God fearing wife will always appear in public before other men in modest clothing and will never give off any impression that she is in any way "available." What is going on with many young wives who are following the current fashion trend to wear pants and skirts that keep sliding down in the front and the back exposing very private parts. Moreover, if that is not enough, we see young wives with tattoos in places where you naturally wonder if the tattoo artist was a man. What man would want some male tattoo artist messing around the private places of his wife`s body? "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV)
For the same reason, a God fearing husband will never flirt around with other women in such a manner that they may think he is "available." The believing husband has the duty and opportunity to honor his wife with love and devotion. The very idea of love that we learn from Jesus Christ is sacrificial. It has become almost common to hear people using the Greek word Agape for many purposes. This word expresses the highest form of love that God has for Man - male and female. (John 3:16)
In that beautiful text of Ephesians chapter five, we learn that a husband must love his wife as much as he loves his own body. He must give up his own personal needs and desires and submit to the needs and desires of his wife. This is what is known as "Holy Matrimony." One man and one woman uniting in order to love, honor, serve, and obey Christ Jesus as Lord. This is the union spoken of in the Bible. A man`s first opportunity for service is at home each day before leaving the house.
You are invited to the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments. David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail.
Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. |
