Weaker but not Less

March 1, 2024

I am waffling entirely too much when it comes to when I am going to post this blog. Last week I decided to post on Friday instead of Tuesday to give some space between this and my Matt and Sam jokes. Then the week got away from me and I missed Friday. So this week I am posting on Friday and it is my intention to continue to post 1 Peter on Fridays. This post begins with the first time I went through 1 Peter 3:5b-7 and then continues with my current takeaway.

October 23, 2022

1 Peter 3:5b-7

Take Time to Pray

Psalm 98:1-2

1 Sing to the LORD a new song,

          for He has done marvelous things;

His right hand and His holy arm

          have worked salvation for Him.

2 The LORD has made his salvation known

          and revealed His righteousness to nations.

Examine

5 They were submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are one of her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

7 Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treated them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Notice

 God

·       God prescribed roles for men and women.

Lesson

·       Women may be physically weaker, but when it comes to God’s plan of salvation there is no difference.

·       Wives are to be submissive to their husbands, showing them respect and honor.

Do

Question

·       I fear I fall short in the godly wife department. What can I do to improve?

Response

·       Find one way, even simple, to honor Rick each day.

February 22, 2024

I didn't want to try and tackle verses three to seven in one big chunk. Splitting in the middle of verse five seemed to be the most reasonable spot. Although, I do dislike splitting a verse apart. I am glad that I did split these verses since there is so much to unpack in verses five to seven.

Peter mentions Sarah as being submissive to Abraham. When I think of Sarah, my first thought is of Hagar. Sarah wasn't submissive in that particular situation, eventually forcing Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Yet, when they traveled to Egypt and Gerar, Abraham had Sarah say she was his sister and not his wife cause he was afraid he would be killed. However, in doing so, to took away the protection that marriage would have afforded Sarah. We aren't told whether Sarah thought this was a good idea or a bad idea, only that she went along with his plan - and chaos ensued. In both cases, the ruler took Sarah because she was a beautiful woman. And in both cases, God intervened before things went too far.

Through these events we see Sarah as submissive and not submissive. Still, Peter hold Sarah up as an example.

Next, Peter speaks to the husbands. He says the husbands need to treat their wives with care as they are the "weaker vessel." I am not going to get into a big argument over whether "weaker vessel" is a slight or insult. However, I will say that I don't mind being considered a "weaker vessel." My husband is physically stronger than I am, so he carries lots of things for me. One of my greatest weaknesses is approaching new people in social situations. My husband has a less difficult time with this, so I follow his lead. I don't mind being considered weak because that is when I find God's strength working in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." I do bring my own strengths to my marriage, and these help my husband and I to work together as a team. Honestly, though, I do not want to be the head of the household. To me it is just too much responsibility. My husband listens to me and if my way sounds good to him, we do it. More than anything, I know that my husband is looking out for me and taking care of our family's needs. I have my own role to play in taking care of our family.

Additionally, Peter makes it clear that weaker does not mean less important. He goes on to say that the husband and wife are "heirs together" of "the grace of life." In God's eyes, when it comes to the need for salvation, we are all equal. So, then, why the submission and "weaker vessel" discussion?

The thought occurred to me that families are like any organization. There needs to a leader and the members of the group need to work together as their abilities dictate. Not everyone can be the boss. Things would grind to a halt. And a good leader listens to the people around him. Everyone has their strengthens and weaknesses. When a marriage functions as God designed, it is a blessing to the family members and to the community as a whole.

There is so much more that could be said about the topics triggered by theses verses - probably enough to write a book.