Submit: Lessons in Love - The Noble Wife

 What does it do to a fallen man for a noble wife to willingly / purposefully submit? 

(conviction of sin does not necessarily lead to repentance, but repentance always leads to forgiveness)

A fallen wife makes demands on her husband that never end. (if the wife is not repentant)

A noble wife gains the praise of her husband that never ends (if the husband is repentant).

Chicken and egg argument (if he’d just…I would), nothing from nothing leaves nothing...

… even that argument is settled biblically – otherwise it’s just an unending argument.

 THE HEAD AS A

sign of dominance / submission throughout creation among animals  (lowering / raising of head)

As an act of conquering / contempt – decapitation, sins upon one’s head, shaving of head

As an act of reverence / blessing expressed through – bowing of head (by Jesus in prayer and finally death), anointing of head (with perfume in preparation), placing hands on head (even as scapegoat and betrayal by Judas), covering of head (removed and used in washing of feet), hair of the head (used to wipe the feet), placing of the crown (even of thorns).

The church submits to Christ because without Christ’s leadership it is not the church… same for a wife and husband – it is the relationship with the husband that makes a woman a wife – in as much she is (becomes) a wife as she fulfills that role. 

[very important compared to body of Christ for two become one lesson later]

This of course leads into how Christ is the head of the church in a sacrificial manner and so should the man be the head of his wife (even regardless of her submission), but that is for next week.

Ladies, spend a week submitting to your husband, regardless of his leadership (or lack thereof), If he leads as he should he will appreciate it, if he does not lead as he should, it will convict him of his failure in this.   In this you will help prepare his heart and mind for the next lesson on how he should be the sacrificial head over you and your household.  Love and serve him rather than react to him.

Husbands, prepare yourselves even before we learn the lessons of sacrificial leadership, give your wife her due praise – whether she has earned it or not, if it is deserved it will encourage her, if it is not, it will convict her.  Love and lead her rather than react to her.