God Disciplines Woman

The third chapter of Daughters of Sarah is titled, God Disciplines Woman, and introduces God's law regarding wives obeying husbands as a consequence for Eve's original sin in the garden of Eden.

If you are anything like me, you have probably chaffed against the idea of a man 'ruling over' a woman at some point in your life.  It's a tough consequence to accept and submit to, no matter how much you love God.

I intend to cover this topic in a bit more depth later, but for now, here are a few of my devotional thoughts on the subject in my book, Daughters of Sarah.  I hope these meditations of mine might be a blessing and help to you.

God Disciplines Woman
Daughters of Sarah - Chapter 3

There is always a price to pay when we disobey God. Sometimes the consequences are immediate and soon over. At other times the results of our disobedience follow us for the rest of our lives.

Here, God is speaking to Eve, handing down the verdict for her part in the ‘garden scandal’. The first penalty was to be an increase in the pain that would come from pregnancy and childbirth. I wonder what the original childbirth plan was before this sentence was doled out?

Regardless, just as death passed down to all generations, so, too, has the pain of childbirth passed down to all women. However, Paul advised Timothy that women could have an easier time in childbearing if they and their husbands are right with the Lord. (“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” I Timothy 2:15)

The second decree God made to the woman regarding the cost of her disobedience was that she would be ruled over by her husband. I don’t know one woman who is happy about this edict. We are each born with a drive to be our own boss and do our own will. No matter how kind the ruler, we do not want anyone to have power over us. Our flesh rebels at this pronouncement.

As a woman who wants to please the Lord with my life and measure up to His standard for me, I must learn to readily accept His judgment in all matters concerning me. I must acknowledge that He, as the Sovereign God of the universe, has the right and ability to determine what is fair and just in matters of discipline.

Although I cannot understand God’s reasoning in this area, I know that I must humbly bow my heart and soul to His good judgment, and submit myself to His authority.

The issue is not whether or not the man is a better ruler or leader. The issue is not whether he is worthy of his position of power over his wife. The issue is simply a matter of accepting God’s judgment and following with a heart of obedience.

When a woman says, “No man is going to rule over me!” she is not just declaring herself independent from the authority of her husband, but she is declaring herself independent of God. She is stating that God has no right to be the Ruler and Judge, and that His decisions are faulty.

In my own heart, it helps me to remember that Jesus was willing to humble Himself and debase Himself in order to unjustly take on the penalty of my sin on the cross. He was willing to do His Father’s will in opposition to His Own will. Knowing this strengthens me and enables me to submit my own will into those same worthy hands.

Read some more from Daughters of Sarah...