Mara

Very Good point, Waneta.
And since you are here let me tell you I appreciated all the points you made over on Hannah’s blog. I loved the point you made about men raising their pet doctrine (my words) of ‘wives submit’ to the level of a sacrament like baptism or the Lord’s supper. I’ve not seen that before but it put into words what I have been saying for years.

Sacrament, definition 1. from my Dictionary. any of certain rites ordained by Jesus and regarded as a means of grace: baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and Anointing the Sick are the seven recognized by the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Eastern Churches; Protestants generally recognize only baptism and Holy Communion.

And this dovetails into what you said above.
It is as though heaven and earth can stand up under pretty much any sin a man can dish toward his wife. But if a woman doesn’t submit, then the foundations of heaven and earth, Christianity, and the throne of God are shaken (not to mention the family). Because the ‘divine order’ (CBMW words) is not being followed.
It is as though the foundation of Christianity is not the Blood of Jesus shed for our sins, but rather the foundation is the Christian family. And the foundation of the family is dependent on whether a woman submits to her husband. (not whether a husband treats his wife right)

I know, I know. It appears as though I am exaggerating.
But like you said, whatever the husband dishes out is little. A wife’s unwillingness to submit, though, is huge.

And this is one reason I tell people to quit looking at Ephesians chapter 5 (the words of Paul) as the foundational scriptures for the family. [I know, blasphamy, right?].
But instead, look at the words of Jesus Himself, our Foundation, our Chief Cornerstone, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

His words, the two greatest commandments (that sum up the ten), the Golden rule, and that little bit about, ‘if you would be great in God’s Kingdom, then learn to be servant of all.’ These words from the mouth of Jesus are good for the goose AND the gander toward the goose.

Then, if you like, build on the foundation with Paul’s words. With a foundation of ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you,’ this would cure a lot of marriage problems. Men, if they were honest with God and themselves, would have to ask, “Would I want to be treated the way I’m treating my wife right now?”

I could go on, but this has already gotten too long. Sorry Cheryl. Thanks for your indulgence toward me on this topic.