“When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.”” (Genesis 12:11–13, CSB)
Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account. So often we see it: Men who think about themselves more than they do their wives.
Of course, Abram didn’t have the benefit of Paul’s words, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.” (Ephesians 5:25, CSB) We do.
Self-sacrifice is a hard concept for most people. We are raised in a “me-only” culture. We think about ourselves all the time. Every advertisement reminds us to get something for ourselves. In a world filled with the selfish, selflessness is a strange thing. Perhaps it always has been if Abram is any example.
When we read the context of Abram’s request of his wife, Sarai, we realize that while sounding reasonable, he’s only interested in saving his own skin. Now, to be fair, if Abram died, everyone with him – including his wife – and everything he owned would become someone else’s.
However, as men, we must stand up and defend our wives. We have to sacrifice, even our lives if necessary, to protect them from abuse and misuse, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her.
Every woman dreams of her “knight in shining armor” who comes to her rescue and protects her from any and all attackers. THAT is the Biblical model, the example of Jesus.
The words we use. The choices we make, especially in the hard times, expose our love – or lack of it – for the one we have promised to love and cherish till death do us part!
Now is a good time to ask a couple soul-searching questions. Questions like these can change the direction of a marriage: Do I put her ahead of me always? How do my choices reflect that?
Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.
