Post by Emmanuel A. O. on Feb 1, 2013 2:12:12 GMT 1
Climb Down From Your High Horse TEXT: Genesis 24:61-67
"And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself" (Genesis 24:64,65).
Feminism is a general term covering a range of ideologies and theories which pay special attention to women’s rights and women position in culture and society. By about 1960, social and economic conditions had helped to expand the role of women out of the home to the factory and office. This, along with other social changes, convinced women to demand equality with men and to challenge the headship of man in the marriage union. But in the Bible, however, God placed Eve under Adam’s authority. And St. Paul urged Christian wives to be obedient to their own husbands in the Lord; and husbands to love their wives as Christ also loved the church.
Rebekah’s humility in our text is a challenge to the modern woman. From the moment she gave her consent to go with Abraham’s servant, her humility, submission and readiness to complete what she knows to be God’s will in marriage is worthy of emulation. She was willing to forget her own people and her father’s house in favour of living happily with her husband. On sighting Isaac afar off, she alighted from her carmel in respect and took a vail and covered herself – a token of humility, modesty and subjection. This was done in honour to Isaac, as was customary; for had she sat on her carmel when she met him, it would not have seemed respectful enough to him. When Isaac, who had gone out to take advantage of the silent evening, and a solitary place for meditation and prayer saw her humility, he fell in love with her and was comforted over his mother’s death.
Failure on the part of the wife to recognize and submit to the headship of the husband, and the husband’sabuse of his position in the home have destroyed many marriages. But a little humility could save the relationship from collapse. We cannot operate our marriages based on the manifestoes of feminist groups and campaigners, but on God, the Author of the institution of marriage. Indeed, we must allow the word of God to govern every detail of our lives.
Thought for the day:
Come down from your carmel of pride and save your marriage.
"And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself" (Genesis 24:64,65).
Feminism is a general term covering a range of ideologies and theories which pay special attention to women’s rights and women position in culture and society. By about 1960, social and economic conditions had helped to expand the role of women out of the home to the factory and office. This, along with other social changes, convinced women to demand equality with men and to challenge the headship of man in the marriage union. But in the Bible, however, God placed Eve under Adam’s authority. And St. Paul urged Christian wives to be obedient to their own husbands in the Lord; and husbands to love their wives as Christ also loved the church.
Rebekah’s humility in our text is a challenge to the modern woman. From the moment she gave her consent to go with Abraham’s servant, her humility, submission and readiness to complete what she knows to be God’s will in marriage is worthy of emulation. She was willing to forget her own people and her father’s house in favour of living happily with her husband. On sighting Isaac afar off, she alighted from her carmel in respect and took a vail and covered herself – a token of humility, modesty and subjection. This was done in honour to Isaac, as was customary; for had she sat on her carmel when she met him, it would not have seemed respectful enough to him. When Isaac, who had gone out to take advantage of the silent evening, and a solitary place for meditation and prayer saw her humility, he fell in love with her and was comforted over his mother’s death.
Failure on the part of the wife to recognize and submit to the headship of the husband, and the husband’sabuse of his position in the home have destroyed many marriages. But a little humility could save the relationship from collapse. We cannot operate our marriages based on the manifestoes of feminist groups and campaigners, but on God, the Author of the institution of marriage. Indeed, we must allow the word of God to govern every detail of our lives.
Thought for the day:
Come down from your carmel of pride and save your marriage.