Proverbs: Men, Women, and Family
Published Date: February 14th, 2008Category: Proverbs: Wisdom for Living
The past few weeks at the WELL, we’ve been studying Biblical manhood, Biblical womanhood, and family/parenting issues. The over-feminization of our culture, the weakening integrity of male leadership (regarding the extremes of both dominating men as well as passive), and the breakdown of family structure is indeed causing a crisis in our world.
I am not a proponent of tradition for tradition’s sake: in and of itself, there is nothing godly about being barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen. Nor am I one who believes men are “better” than women. Men and women are different in nature and equal in value, worth, and dignity. Equality does not mean sameness. Therefore, I believe the Biblical picture of gender is one of complementarianism rather than egalitarianism.
Understanding God’s created order and design and living in the plan of His purposes honors God, saves marriages, blesses family, and benefits society and culture.
It begins at creation:
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Despite what culture may say, true manhood and womanhood is not defined by roles alone- it’s defined by God at creation. Men are given headship and women complement by being helpers. In marriage, this reflects the relational nature of our triune God. Throughout Scripture, we see the headship of God the Father as well as Christ over the Church. We also see God as the Helper of His people throughout the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit as Helper throughout the New Testament. Together, men and women in marriage have the opportunity to reflect this Divine design.
In Proverbs 31:10-31, we get a picture of a beautiful woman who, with the support of her husband, reflects the amazing work of God. The woman is seen as being unified with her husband, being homeward in orientation, industrious, generous, strong, dignified, wise, kind, and a follower of God. By implication, we see that her husband being trusting and trustworthy, a leader in the family and the community, respected and respecting, honorable and honoring, a provider and protector, loving and serving his wife, and following God.
This is not a picture of what a woman, man, or couple must do to be in relationship with God. Rather, it is a description of a couple who has lived life well; in wisdom following God and growing, by the redemption of God, to an amazing picture of His created plan.
Listen to the podcast on Biblical Manhood.
Jeremy, your message on the relationship between man and woman has been a blessing to me. I have felt for many years that sermons in the past have discredited the female role in the man’s life. It is refreshing and encouraging to not only hear an excellent message of what God intended, but also to have a digital document to share with others. Thank you for posting podcasts of the sermons, they are helpful during this busy time in my life, Nicky Motto