The power of a godly home is implied throughout Scripture. Proverbs 31:10-31 is an impressive acrostic, and the unhindered prayers of 1 Peter 3:7 are ever delightful. Indeed the fact that the home relationship is made the background for the display of the love between ” … Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32) shows us how precious to God’s heart is the fellowship of husband and wife, in holy dependence on Him and His will.
When we think of Adam and his wife, we see the lack of godly order. Eve was not the ” … help meet … ” (Genesis 2: 18) that God intended her to be to her husband. 1 Timothy 2:14 tells us that Eve was deceived, but Adam was not deceived, his was a deliberate transgression and thus his responsibility is the more manifest. We have many illustrations of sad homes in Scriptures.
Solomon was turned aside by his many wives, and so was Ahab ” … whom Jezebel his wife stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25). Thanks be unto God, there have been beautiful contrasts, and the Holy Spirit emphasizes them for our joy, our praise, and our imitation.
Let us look at Abraham – yes, believing Abraham, and was not his wife believing Sarah? “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength … ” (Hebrews 11:11 ), just the same as her husband (Romans 4: 18-20). And the encouraging words are added, ” … she judged him faithful who had promised.” Such a testimony is among God’s many striking declarations concerning godly women. Some of the most impressive examples of holy service are found among them. The Apostle Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit to lay stress on Sarah as one of the” … holy women … who trusted in God … ” (1 Peter 3 :5-6). Godly Christian woman today may be viewed as walking in the same family. Thanks be to God, this family is not extinct.
In Luke, we read of Zacharias and Elisabeth, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances ofthe Lord blameless” (Luke 1 :6). In Job, chapters 1-2, note how God makes a contrast between the faithful patriarch and his unbelieving wife. It is a privilege to be a” … help meet … ” which is the reverse of the hindrance, that husband and wife may easily become to one another.
It is refreshing to find that after the birth of John the Baptist, the father and mother were of one mind (Luke 1 :60-63), neither one was turned aside by relatives. Thanks be to God for fixity of character. John’s fidelity shines forth, emphasizing God’s approval of a godly home.
Joseph and Mary set forth a beautiful relationship to one another (Matthew 1:20-25; Matthew 2:20-23; Luke 2:41-52). The Lord Jesus in the perfection of His childhood honoured both. No words are more impressive for children than those of Luke 2:51, “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them … ” He was the mighty God; yet when He came into this world, He filled every sphere perfectly.
In the book of Acts and the Epistles, we read of Aquila and Priscilla. They are always mentioned together, and there is a remarkable placing of Prisca, or Priscilla, first on three occasions. There should be no rivalry or antipathy or jealously where God appoints or works.
It is good to ponder these graciously recorded examples of godly homes. We praise God for the witness of the unnamed overseers of Christian assemblies, chosen according to 1 Timothy 3:5-6 and 1 Timothy 3: 11-12. Ephesians 5 concerns Christ and the church and sets forth again the beauty of a Christian home. God has set high honour upon the husband and wife who follow the principles of His Word, but the joy of this blessing is not reached by mere desire. There must be a humble walk with God in the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Let us all, who own the Name of the Lord Jesus, married or unmarried, prayerfully seek that walk.