Transcript of Sabbath Meeting - 07/23/99

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The core of the family is the husband, the wife and their relationship.

The husband has a great responsibility in this relationship to lead his family

Men - study this message carefully with prayer. We all need it.

Wives - read this message so that you can support your husband and help teach your sons the right ways.

Young women - read this message so you know what you're looking for in a husband.

The rest of you can study the book of Job for your test next week. :o)

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We can look to Yahweh as an example of a good husband.

In Old Testament times, Yahweh is seen as a husband to the nation of Israel;

In Old Testament times, Yahweh is seen as a husband to the nation of Israel;

Hosea 2:19-20 "And I will betroth you to me forever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness: and you shall know Yahweh."

Yahweh, the mighty Elohim, Creator of all, wants his bride to know him but I'm afraid many husbands don't care to have their wife know them.

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. . . And to those who should follow His ways,

Jeremiah 3:14 Yahweh says, "Turn, O backsliding children, for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."

Isaiah says, Isaiah 54:5-6. "For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer, the Kodesh One of Israel; He shall be called the Elohim of the whole earth. For 'Yahweh has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you had been refused,' says your Elohim."

The full meaning of Elohim being the husband of the people is made more clear in the New Testament. Paul writes:

Ephesians 5:25-33 Husbands, love your wives, just as The Messiah also loved the congregation, and gave Himself for it, that He might set it apart and make it clean with the washing of water according to the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious congregation, without spot, or wrinkle, or anything like that; but that it should be set apart and without blemish.

That is how men ought to love their wives; as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own body; but he nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Messiah does the congregation: For we are members of His body: of His flesh, and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and those two shall become one flesh.

This is very hard to understand: but I am telling you about The Messiah and the congregation.

Nevertheless let each one of you in particular love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband,.

How rich this scripture is in help for the husband!

Notice that Paul shows that love is not just a feeling a man has about his wife but is rather the constant series of acts by which he takes special care of her.

He "nourishes and cherishes her" in the same way he takes care of his own body.

If a man is trying to be a successful husband, he can make use of all the material available about our perfect example - the Messiah.

Yahshua gave up everything for the congregation.

He began by giving up his place in heaven with the Father to be born as a baby human being.

Next, he devoted His life to preparing for and carrying out a ministry of, teaching, healing, and love for the people of His time and ours.

Finally, He suffered on the tree and gave up His life so that those people who accept and obey Him, could be saved from death and join Him in eternal life.

A husband who devotes himself to his family in that way will certainly enjoy the fruits of a happy home.

Meditate on that.

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One moment please

Hmmm. Looks like I have to reboot. Sorry.

All of us who have computers know his frustration :D

The meeting has been paused for a few minutes

while BrTom reboots his computer

Part of the EliYah message is turning the hearts of the Fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the Fathers. This is surely needed in this day and age when children are ignored by their Fathers

wb BrTom :)

Here we go again.

We were commenting on Ephesians 5:25-33

How rich this scripture is in help for the husband!

Notice that Paul shows that love is not just a feeling a man has about his wife but is rather the constant series of acts by which he takes special care of her.

He "nourishes and cherishes her" in the same way he takes care of his own body.

If a man is trying to be a successful husband, he can make use of all the material available about our perfect example - the Messiah.

Yahshua gave up everything for the congregation.

He began by giving up his place in heaven with the Father to be born as a baby human being.

Next, he devoted His life to preparing for and carrying out a ministry of, teaching, healing, and love for the people of His time and ours.

Finally, He suffered on the tree and gave up His life so that those people who accept and obey Him, could be saved from death and join Him in eternal life.

A husband who devotes himself to his family in that way will certainly enjoy the fruits of a happy home.

Meditate on that.

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Husbands will also find help in other scriptures:

When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife whom he has taken, Deuteronomy 24:5.

Don't take on any more responsibility than you need to during your first year of marriage.

Devote yourself to establishing a close, dependable, loving relationship with your bride.

The command to 'cheer up his wife' could be read as a directive to a man to laugh, romp and giggle with his wife too.

If you are a boss; don't give a newly married man too much to do and be sure he takes some time off with his bride.

Laying the foundation for a good marriage is more important to the business than any other activity the man may be assigned.

Near the end of the year he should gradually move back into more aggressive pursuit of his full responsibilities, but he should never stop caring for his wife in a special way so as to continue to build that relationship.

In most cases in the world today couples take a week or two and spend it having fun together.

That's fine, but it does not address the problem of bringing two different people together into a close relationship that will be a secure place, full of love, for children to grow up wise and confident.

If you muffed that first year of taking special care to make your wife happy then make it a point to set time aside during the next several months.

Court her again, listen to her, spend time as she pleases and tell her your inner thoughts.

This relationship is built by many hours of talking with and listening to each other.

A little giggling would also be appropriate (Deuteronomy 24:5). I think it is one of the 613 commands.

:o)

A little giggling would also be appropriate (Deuteronomy 24:5). I think it is one of the 613 commands.

Even if you used that first year properly for bonding, be sure to 'review' frequently. Keep that bond strong and fresh by doing the things you did when you were courting and honeymooning.

Do you remember those days? Keep your marriage special!

The husband should never stop caring for his wife in a special way so as to continue to build that relationship.

Bear in mind that, at any time, Yahweh will gladly hear your prayer for His help in loving, understanding and communicating with your mate.

Ask today for His help.

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Proverbs 5:15-19 Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets? Let them be only for your own, and not strangers with you.

Let your fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

Let her be as the loving doe and pleasant deer; let her breasts please you at all times; and always be ravished with her love, .

You shall not commit adultery, Exodus 20:14. Take our Creator's word for it - it works much better that way.

Many people don't know it; but marriages between people who have had no other sexual partners in their lives are MUCH MORE likely to succeed and be happy.

Our children need to know that fact because it greatly affects their future.

This next scripture is a little hard to understand in most translations so I have reworded it a little:

Malachi 2:13b-16 He does not regard your offering any more. Yet you say, 'Why?'

Because Yahweh has seen what happens between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously.

Yet she is your companion, and the wife with whom you made a covenant.

Has He not made them one, having all the rest of the Spirit?

And why did He join them?

Because he looked for children of Elohim!

Because of this [being observed by Yahweh] be careful about your spirit, and let no man deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.

For Yahweh, the Elohim of Israel, says, "I hate putting away: for a man throws a cloak over his violence."

Because of this [attitude of Yahweh's] be careful about your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.

Since divorce displeases Yahweh, helps lawyers get rich, and hurts children FOR LIFE it should be avoided at almost any cost.

As Paul said, do everything within your power to live at peace with your spouse.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with everyone.

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1 Timothy 5:8 If any man does not provide for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

Is Paul saying there is something wrong with a man who does not pay his bills and provide a decent home for his family?

He certainly is, and we should know that without reading the Scripture.

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Likewise, you husbands, live with your wife intelligently, giving honor to her as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered, 1 Peter 3:7.

Don't be foolish - respect your wife as you ought to respect her since she is also a child of Yahweh.

If you fail to love, care for, and respect your wife then Yahweh will not listen to your prayers.

Some day there may be a prayer which you desperately want Him to answer.

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Concentrate on giving your wife plenty of affection,

Have real two-way conversation, with openness in your communication,

Provide steady (not necessarily lavish) financial support,

And let your wife know by your words and actions that he has a strong commitment to your family.

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So, in conclusion, we have learned so far that a husband should:

Look to Yahweh and Yahshua as his example

Love his wife the way Yahshua loves the congregation; sacrificially.

Ask for Yahweh's help in loving, understanding and communicating with his wife.

Be faithful to his wife at all times

Respect his wife physically as the weaker one and spiritually as she is also a child of Yahweh.

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There is much more to say about the husband's role in the family but it is part of the discussion of husband-wife relationships and of his role as father of children.

May Yahweh bless you as you follow Yahshua our perfect example.

HalleluYAH!