Counsel For The Young Married Woman: Her Core Role And Primary Duties An Exposition Of Titus 2:1, 3-5 -- By: David J. MacLeod

Journal: Emmaus Journal
Volume: EMJ 19:2 (Summer 2010)
Article: Counsel For The Young Married Woman: Her Core Role And Primary Duties An Exposition Of Titus 2:1, 3-5
Author: David J. MacLeod


Counsel For The Young Married Woman: Her Core Role And Primary Duties1 An Exposition Of Titus 2:1, 3-5

David J. MacLeod

Dave MacLeod is Dean for Biblical Studies at Emmaus Bible College and is Associate Editor of The Emmaus Journal.

Introduction

Everyone agrees that, “Our day is one of incredible change. Society is undergoing a fundamental shift in relations between the sexes. We are rapidly breaking with the past as the nature of marriage evolves. Couples everywhere are struggling to sort it all out. Do you ever long wistfully for a return to simpler times, when things seemed less complex and more stable? You’re not alone.”2 Listen to this observer:

In the good old days, in fact right down to recent years, married women ran their homes as their chief domain. Their husbands would come home at night and plop themselves down by the fireside, lay their cares aside, and rest from their busy day out in the world. Without question the men were in charge; yet an atmosphere of harmony and hard work prevailed under their roofs. It was a day when their wives—beautiful women—burned only with the desire to make their men all that they could be, especially in business. This division of labor was never territorial; neither partner laid claim to ownership of anything. Rather, they

cooperated for the good of the family; she worked as diligently at home as he did in his public activities.…

Nowadays though, it seems as though women only want to pursue material gain. They want to be rid of even the most basic fundamental household responsibilities, as if to become nothing but consumers of luxury items, often bankrupting their families in the process.3

Another writer lamented the effect this change had on children:

There used to be a time when an honest child was raised, not at the hand of some hired nurse, but in his mother’s lap, and at her knee. In those days a mother could have no higher praise than that she managed her house well and gave herself to her children. Of course, she had plenty of help: when occupied elsewhere, she could call upon a trustworthy grandmother to care for all the little saplings taking root in her home. She knew that the elder would not stand for any foul language or misbehavior. Religiously, and with the utmost delicacy, the older lady would oversee not only the serious tasks of her young charges, but also their games and play.…

Nowadays, by co...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()