The Law Was Not Abolished

The Husband as Prophet, Priest, and King

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one of the keys is confronting sin in your mate. But we are reminded in Proverbs that the wounds of a friend are faithful (Prov. 27:6). If our goal is the glory of God, happiness in marriage will at times need to take a back seat to the higher calling of helping our wives—our sisters in Christ—to be conformed to Christ’s likeness. T HE H USBAND AS A K ING We have seen how a husband is called by God to be both prophet and priest to his wife. Now we come to the discussion of the husband as king. Because of the many ways this subject has been abused by well-mean ing but ill-informed Bible teachers, we need to proceed with caution. Those of us who live in a democracy may think of a king as some one who wields power and who enjoys privilege and position. For example, we Americans can see the British royal family as having no real responsibilities other than the ceremonial, and leading a life where any material need is fulfilled on command. From American shores, it appears as the ultimate in selfish indulgence. In ancient Israel, however, though the kings were wealthy their function was much more than ceremonial. In their quarrel with the prophet Samuel over their desire to be ruled by a king, Israel said, “there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles” (1 Sam. 8:19-20, NASB , emphasis added). Author Dan Allender expands that idea: The king led, protected and provided for the safety of the realm. He secured the infrastructure necessary for civilization. He justly applied the law of God to the government, commerce and care of the state. . . . The king was not only a warrior, but he also was the representative of the realm in conversations with the “world.” He planned strategies, negotiated alliances, and applied the word of God to daily conflicts. . . . In so doing, he became the one who took the truth of God into the world and invited unbelievers to know and bow before the God of Israel. 7 Those are the same responsibilities God has assigned to a hus band. He is to lead his wife. He is her provider. He is her protector.