Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men

The Male as Teacher and Cultivator

“Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value” (v. 11). “Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (v. 23). If anyone passed b y this husband, he said proudly, ―Do you see that woman? That‘s my lady over there.‖ Many husbands haven‘t done anything for their wives. Instead of cultivating, they have taken soil away from them. Now that their wives have become run down both emotionally and physically, they are ashamed to be seen with them. Are you ashamed to bring people to your house? In stead, you should be ashamed of yourself. And guess what? You are ashamed of yourself. According to the Word, your wife is your own flesh. (See Ephesians 5:28.) Whatever she looks like is really a sign of what you look like. Now, a man doesn‘t always know what to do to cultivate his wife. A woman can help her husband in this. She can let him know what she needs so he can provide the right nu trients. F or instance, if he says, ―Honey, you seem upset t o day. What happened?‖ she can say, ―Well, I‘ve been trying to work with these old pots and pans. Every time I pick them up the handles fall off, and it‘s frustrating. If we bought some new pots, it would make meal preparation much less stressful for me.‖ Or if he says, ―I want to be able to talk to you about my job, but you can‘t seem to discuss it,‖ she can say, ―Well, sweetheart, sit down and tell me about it. I want to know about your job. Teach me.‖ How is she going to converse with you about your job if you don‘t talk to her about it, if you don‘t come home and tell her what you‘re doing, what you‘re planning, and how your job works? You talk to the young lady at the office. She knows about your job, so you think she‘s better than your wife. She isn‘t better than your wife. Your wife is better than you are. You are the one who is lacking understanding, be cause you didn‘t take the time to teach her.

Washing with the Word

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy,

145