Friday, March 6, 2015

Keepers at Home ~ Description or Prescription?


Young women are to be keepers at home. They must be submissive to their husbands. These are NOT my opinions. They are not God's suggestions, descriptions or opinions, either. They are God's prescription for young women!  When women are offended or feel judged when you encourage them to be keepers at home and submissive, explain to them that they are going to have to take it up with God, not you, since you had no part in writing the blueprint for a Christian's life.

The fact that Lydia was a "seller of purple" is a description of her, not a prescription for all of us. The fact that the Proverbs 31 woman sold girdles to the merchants is a description of her work, not a prescription for all women. Nowhere in the Bible does God command women to sell anything or to be workers outside of the home. He commands young women to be keepers at home. Therefore, if a young woman has a husband and children, God's standard for her is to be a keeper at home; raising her own children, training and disciplining them, keeping her home clean and tidy, and fixing nourishing food for them. "I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully" {I Timothy 5:14}.

Again, this verse isn't a suggestion, an opinion or a description but a command given by God to young women and we best be doing what we can to not water it down, not be afraid to teach it, and do everything we can to encourage young women to be at home so they will not blaspheme the Word of God, "...teach the young women to be ...keepers at home...that the word of God be not blasphemed" {Titus 2:3-5}.  Be at home, NOT running around from here to there but "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you" {I Thessalonians 4:11}.

I have found that my posts about women being keepers at home are, by far, my most popular posts. My posts Living on Rice and BeansLost Art of HomemakingWalk in the Ancient Paths and many more like them are the most read.

I believe that most women, when they hear this message and ponder it, realize it is exactly what they want to do. They are tired of the marathon of trying to juggle marriage, raising children, keeping a home, and a job outside of the home. They're exhausted and the idea of coming home sounds wonderful to them.

When they finally come home, they have a brand new attitude of finding joy in raising their children, loving and respecting their husband, and keeping a clean and tidy home. They realize it is the ministry the Lord has called them to, ordained for them, and they are happy and content in it. Instead of thinking life is better "out there," they are raising godly offspring for God's kingdom! "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD" {Psalm 113:9}.

It's okay to raise daughters whose greatest desire is to be a wife and mother since this is God's prescription for young women. It's okay if they don't want to go to college but decide instead to minister in their church, in their neighborhood or in their community. They also can minster to their own family by learning how to cook, clean and help with the younger children. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS!!! In fact, God is very well pleased. "The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit" {I Corinthians 7:34}.

Stop listening to the opinions and ways of the world. Look into God's Word. Don't look at examples of people given in the Word for there are even liars, thieves, and murderers in the Bible. Look at God's prescription for women. All of your answers are in there; every single one!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a 
workman who does not need to be ashamed,
 accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

More post in my Home Series.