A GOOD THING

A GOOD THING!

Prov 18:22

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord .

Eph 5:28-33

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

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

           Paul lifted married love to the highest level possible when he likened it to the relationship of Christ to His Church. Christ’s love was so strong and so deep as to be self-sacrificial. Simply put, He was willing to, and indeed did, die for His bride. Oh, how he loves her!

           The word “nourisheth” is the Greek word ektrepho and it means “to rear up to maturity; to cherish; to train.” The word “cherisheth” is the word thalpo which means “to warm; to brood.” I have felt the chill of warm feet on a cold night and so the meaning is clear!

           Nothing can adequately describe the “one flesh” relationship. It simply must be experienced. Paul spoke of caring for the wife in the same way one cares for his own body. He safeguards his body, feeds it, and satisfies it. In extreme cases, when sickness makes it necessary, he even helps with personal hygiene! All these things are done because of love.

Dear Lord, strengthen the bond of love in marriages today. AMEN