The Role of a Woman in a Marriage
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.”
Proverbs 31:10 NKJV
“She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.”
Proverbs 31:15 NLT
“She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.”
Proverbs 31:27 NLT
What does it mean to be a successful woman? Proverbs 31:10 reads, “Who can find a virtuous wife?” The word virtuous actually means wealthy, efficient, and successful. The chapter then goes on to describe a successful wife. I would encourage you to read Proverbs 31:10-28. You will find that a successful woman is not described as being the C.E.O of a fortune 500 company. A successful woman is described as an excellent mother and wife. We live in a society that is career driven. You are taught to pursue a high paying career at all cost, and in obtaining some elite position you will find success. What is the result? Divorce rate is at 50%. The number of people getting married has declined by 5% since 2015. What does this tell you? Less people are getting married and more people are getting divorced. This is why 40% of children are being raised in a single parent home and abortion is glamorized. Life has become about me, myself and I. Is there anything wrong with having a career? Absolutely not! Does the Bible say a woman can’t have a successful career? Definitely not! Although, there is no doubt that the Bible illustrates that the main role of a woman in the Bible is to tend to her husband, household, and children. Titus Chapter 2 states - “these older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.” 1 Timothy 5 says, “So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes.” Everyone cannot be placed in the same box because everyone's life is different. But there is no doubt that the Bible repeatedly addresses the main role of a mother in a household. I'm not saying that a woman can't work, but it is wrong for a woman to sacrifice her family for the sake of a career. In the world today you have this idea where a husband goes out and has his career and the wife goes out and has her own separate career and they share kids and a house but live totally separate lives. This is not the biblical model of marriage. There is a specific purpose and calling that God has placed on every couple and family. If both spouses work, they can work separate jobs but should be working together to fulfill God's specific purpose for them. This is very counterculture and can be difficult to receive, but it is absolutely critical that children are raised with a mother and father who work together in a Biblical marriage.
Today: reflect on your life and marriage. Is there anything out of line? Ask the Lord this question: “Am I fulfilling my role in this marriage?” Take a moment to let the Lord speak to you.