Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-1-07 WT Study (RESPECT HUSBAND)

by blondie 44 Replies latest watchtower bible

blondie
Comments You Will Not Hear at the 04-01-07 WT Study (February 15, 2007, pages 18-22)(RESPECT HUSBAND)
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WIVES--DEEPLY RESPECT YOUR HUSBANDS
"Wives be in subjection to [your] husbands."-EPHESIANS 5:22.

Opening Comments
As a 3 rd generation female JW and with over 50 years of experience, this article made me want to vomit. I will put a VOMIT ALERT on the whole article for ex-JW women. For those of you still in, pay attention to how you are really viewed.
Most of us are too young to remember the days when Joseph R. Rutherford, president of the Watchtower Society and "model" husband, referred to women as a "stack of bone and a hank of hair."
Hank of Hair…….

"a stack of bones and a hank of hair." (September 15, 1941 WT, page 287)
When I became a Witness, in 1944, marriage was frowned upon. In 1941, at a convention in St. Louis, Missouri, J. F. Rutherford, Russell's successor, combining evangelistic fervor with vaudevillean flair, said that a woman was nothing more than (as Kipling had put it) "a rag and a bone and a hank of hair." (The women in the convention audience, I am told, applauded fervently.)

http://www.exjws.net/visions5.htm
Women are told they are the complement to the man but what is a complement? If the woman is the complement, then the man is not "complete or perfect" without the woman.

Definitions of
complement on the Web:
a word or phrase used to

complete

number

needed to make up a whole

something added to

complete or make perfect

either of two parts that mutually

complete each other

make complete or perfect

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

*** w77 9/15 p. 558 par. 13 Working Together for the Unity of the Family ***

the woman was made as a "complement" to the man, that is, she serves to make the man complete.

*** g72 5/22 p. 12 How Should Men Treat Women? ***

A complement is a counterpart, something that makes complete. It provides what is lacking or needed. In the case of the man and woman, each was created with a need that the other filled.

*** w56 9/1 p. 533 par. 21 The Divine Origin of Marriage ***

Adam no longer looked one-sided, incomplete, for now his perfect mate, his wifely complement and helper, stood beside him.

Do the men in the WT organization show by their actions and words that they believe that they are incomplete or lacking without women?

Does God have "feminine" feelings?

*** w95 7/15 p. 13 par. 15 The Dignified Role of Women Among God’s Early Servants ***

Jehovah expects his male worshipers to respect women, for he respects them. Indications of this are found in scriptures in which Jehovah uses the experiences of women illustratively and likens his own feelings to those of women. (Isaiah 42:14; 49:15; 66:13) This helps readers to understand how Jehovah feels. Interestingly, the Hebrew term for "mercy," or "pity," which Jehovah applies to himself, is closely related to the word for "womb" and can be described as "motherly feeling."—Exodus 33:19; Isaiah 54:7.

Do JW men then show similar feelings? Or is it unmanly though the WTS shows it is supposed to be godlike?

START OF ARTICLE

Q1) Why is respecting a husband often hard to do?

1) In many lands when a couple gets married, the bride makes a vow, promising that she will deeply respect her husband. However, the way that many husbands treat their wives has a bearing on whether that vow is difficult to live up to or not. Yet, marriage had a wonderful beginning. God took a rib from Adam, the first man, and made the woman. Adam exclaimed: "This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." -Genesis 2:19-23.

What vow do JW women make? Is it from the Bible? Did Jewish women recite similar vows when getting married; Christian women?

*** w96 3/1 p. 19 Living Up To Your Marriage Vow! ***

The Bible does not require specific procedures or a special kind of wedding ceremony

——

take

you

——

wedded

wife/husband

love

and

cherish

Bride:

and

deeply

respect

accordance

with

the

divine

law

set

forth

the

Holy

Scriptures

for

Christian

wives/husbands

for

long

both

shall

live

together

earth

according

God’s

marital

arrangement."

Footnote

In some places there may be a need to use an adjusted version of this vow in order to comply with local laws. (Matthew 22:21) However, in most countries Christian couples use the above vow.

Will there be a time when married JW couples will not be living together on earth according to God’s marital arrangement? Before 1975 many JWs believed that marriage would be eliminated in the new system and so many hurried to get married before 1975? If a couple survived Armageddon, would they have any reason not to believe that they would be married to each other for all eternity?

Are JW women required to say the WT approved vow? Can they say a different vow at the KH? At a wedding held elsewhere even if the marriage talk is given by a JW? What if the wedding is held elsewhere and the marriage talk is given by a non-JW, let’s say a municipal judge?

*** w84 4/15 p. 14 par. 15 Christian Weddings That Bring Joy ***

These vows should not be altered or replaced to suit some whim of the couple.

Why did God use a rib from Adam to create Eve?

*** it-2 p. 803 Rib ***

In the creation of woman, God did not make her separate and distinct from man by forming her from the dust of the ground, as he had done in the creation of Adam. He took a rib from Adam’s side, and from it He built for Adam a perfect counterpart, the woman Eve. (Ge 2:21, 22) Adam, nevertheless, remained a perfect man, now united as ‘bone of bone and flesh of flesh’ with his wife. (Ge 2:23; De 32:4) Moreover, this did not disturb the reproductive cells of Adam so as to affect his children, boys or girls, in their rib structure. The human male and female both have 24 ribs.

It is of interest to note that a rib that has been removed will grow again, replacing itself, as long as the periosteum (the membrane of connective tissue that covers the bone) is allowed to remain. Whether Jehovah God followed this procedure or not the record does not state; however, as man’s Creator, God was certainly aware of this unusual quality of the rib bones.

Should husbands respect wives?

*** w05 3/1 p. 17 par. 7 Wise Guidance for Married Couples ***

To honor one’s wife

treat her

with respect

*** w03 7/1 p. 4 How to Develop Genuine Love ***

If you are a husband, do you esteem, or set a high value on, your wife and treat her with honor and respect?

Q2) What has developed regarding women and marriage in recent times?

2) Despite that fine beginning, a movement called women's liberation--an attempt by women to break free from male domination--began in the early 1960's in the United States. At that time, some 300 husbands abandoned their families to every 1 wife who did. By the end of the 1960's, the ratio changed to about 100 to 1. Now, it seems, women swear, drink, smoke, and behave immorally as much as men do. So are women happier? No. In some countries, about half of the people who marry eventually divorce. Has the effort by some women to improve their marital situation made matters better or worse?-2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Jumping from 4026 to the 1960’s the WTS says:

Women’s liberation…300 husbands abandoned their families to every 1 wife who did. By the end of the 1960’s…100 to 1.

Is there a direct correlation between the advent of "women’s liberation" and more wives leaving their husbands…and the implication that they left their children as well by saying "families"?

It seems

"it seems" based on what study? How do they measure this?

Is the increase in divorce correlated to women’s liberation? What really are the factors?

So are women happier? No.

Based on what study or information? Happy to no longer be physically beaten, verbally abused, have to stay with an unfaithful husband because they cannot afford to support their family on their own?

Q3) What is the basic problem affecting marriage?

3) What is the basic problem? To some extent, it is the problem that has existed since Eve was seduced by the rebel angel, "the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan." (Revelation 12:9; 1 Timothy 2: 13, 14) Satan has undermined what God teaches. For example, regarding marriage, the Devil has made it appear restrictive and harsh. The propaganda he promotes through the media of this world-of which he is the ruler-is designed to make God's instructions seem unfair and out-of-date. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) If, though, we examine with an open mind what God says regarding a woman's role in marriage, we will see how wise and practical God's Word is.

What is the basic problem? Satan…the Devil

Devil has made it [marriage] appear restrictive and harsh

Propaganda he promotes through the media of this world…deisgned to make God’s instructions (WTS instructions) seem unfair and out-of-date

Like staying with an abusive husband who beats you and the children; is this from God or from Satan? What do you think seeing your father beat your mother will do to a child’s spiriituality?

*** w83 3/15 pp. 28-29 Honor Godly Marriage! ***

In some cases there may be verbal and physical abuse, threats and beatings

As Paul points out, preserving the marriage will be to the spiritual benefit of any children. In a practical way, also, it may be to the material benefit of the believing parent and children.

TV, radio, magazines, internet, newspapers, etc., are all satanic

Caution to Those Who Marry

Q4, 5) (a) Why is caution advisable when considering marriage? (b) What should a woman do before consenting to marry?

4) The Bible provides a word of warning. It says that in this Devil-ruled world, even those in successful marriages will have "tribulation." So although marriage is a divine arrangement, the Bible cautions those who enter into it. One inspired Bible writer said regarding a woman whose husband has died and who therefore is free to remarry: "She is happier if she remains as she is." Jesus also recommended singleness for those who "can make room for it." However, if anyone chooses to marry, it should be to one "in the Lord," that is, to a dedicated and baptized worshipper of God.-1 Corinthians 7:28, 36-40; Matthew 19:10-12.

Devil-ruled world

Even JWs will have troubled marriages because the devil is in control.

Single JW women are happier than married JW women then? What status do single JW women have in the congregation?

Notice how the WTS does not use Deuternomy 7:3,4 as it normally does to drive home the point that JWs must marry other JWs (euphemism used is "dedicated and baptized worshipper of God).

*** w04 9/15 p. 28 Questions From Readers ***

Why were Israelite men permitted to marry captive foreign women when the Mosaic Law commanded that no marriage alliance be formed with foreigners?—Deuteronomy 7:1-3; 21:10, 11.

The reason this was allowed had to do with special circumstances…

However, a foreign woman in the circumstances described at Deuteronomy 21:10-13 presented no such threat. All her relatives were dead, and images representing her gods were destroyed. She had no contact with practicers of false religion. An Israelite was allowed to marry a foreigner under such circumstances.

5) The reason that a woman in particular should give attention to whom she marries is the Bible's caution: "A married woman is bound by law to her husband." Only if he dies or commits immorality and the couple is divorced because of it is she "free from his law." (Romans 7:2, 3) The love-at-first-sight feeling may be enough for a pleasurable romance, but it is not an adequate basis for a happy marriage. A single woman, therefore, needs to ask herself, 'Am I willing to enter into an arrangement in which I will come under the law of this man?' The time to consider this question is before getting married, not afterward.

Bound by the law to her husband

What law is that? The Mosaic law? Christ’s law? Does that mean that a married woman is obligated to obey her husband first and God second?

Per the WTS if a husband had sex with another man or an animal, could the wife get a divorce?

*** w56 10/1 p. 591 par. 20 Marriage Obligations and Divorce ***

Sodomy (or the unnatural intercourse of one male with another male as with a female), Lesbianism (or the homosexual relations between women), and bestiality (or the unnatural sexual relations by man or woman with an animal) are not Scriptural grounds for divorce. They are filthy, they are unclean, and God’s law to Israel condemned to death those committing such misdeeds, thus drastically putting these out of God’s congregation. But such acts are not adultery with the opposite sex, making the unclean person one flesh with another of the opposite sex. (Rom. 1:26-32)

Even by 1972, bestialiity and homosexuality were not a basis for divorce:

*** w72 1/1 p. 32 Questions From Readers ***

While both homosexuality and bestiality are disgusting perversions, in the case of neither one is the marriage tie broken.

And when did the light shine? Eleven years later. So from 1956 (at least) to 1956 a spouse could not divorce on the grounds of homosexuality or bestiality.

*** w83 3/15 p. 30 Honor Godly Marriage! ***

So, then, "fornication" in the broad sense, and as used at Matthew 5:32 and 19:9, evidently refers to a broad range of unlawful or illicit sex relations outside marriage. Porneia involves the grossly immoral use of the genital organ(s) of at least one human (whether in a natural or a perverted way); also, there must have been another party to the immorality—a human of either sex, or a beast.

*** w83 12/15 p. 27 When a Mate Is Unfaithful ***

That fornication (which in the Bible sense includes adultery and gross sexual immorality such as homosexuality) can break up a marriage. Scripturally, the innocent partner has the right to divorce the guilty one and remarry without sin in God’s eyes.

Q6) What decision can most women today make, and why is it so important?

6) In many places today, a woman can choose either to accept or to reject a marriage proposal. Yet, making a wise choice may be the hardest thing a woman ever does, since her desire for the closeness and love possible in marriage can be very strong. One writer noted: "The more we want to do something--whether it is to marry or scale a particular mountain--the more likely we are to make unchecked assumptions and pay attention only to the data that tells us what we want to hear." An irrational decision for a mountain climber may cost him his life; an unwise choice of a marriage mate can likewise be disastrous.

In many places today, a woman can choose either to accept or reject a marriage proposal.

Is a JW woman obligated to marry the marriage choice of her parents even if he is not a JW? What about bride-prices, do JWs sell their daughters to the highest bidder?

*** w98 9/15 p. 24 Negotiating a Reasonable Bride-Price ***

Whether Christian parents decide to negotiate for a bride-price or not is a personal decision.

Did you read last week’s article? Was the same focus made about men carefully choosing a mate for closeness and love?

Q7) What wise counsel has been provided about seeking a mate?

7) A woman should consider seriously what could be involved in being under the law of a man who proposes to her. Years ago, a young Indian girl modestly acknowledged: "Our parents are older and wiser, and they aren't as easily deceived as we would be....I could so easily make a mistake." The help that parents and others can provide is important. One wise counselor long encouraged young people to get to know the parents of their prospective marriage mate as well as to observe carefully that one's interaction with parents and other family members.

JW women SHOULD consider carefully. WT policy gives men the right to choose your lipstick color, the length of your hair, what kind of shoes you wear, how often you see your parents, etc.

So would you want your parents to choose the person you are expected to be married forever? What kind of marriage do your parents have? Did their parents choose for them?

Would the elders tell you if the person you are considering marrying is a suspected pedophile or worse yet a convicted, but "repentant" pedophile?

Who was that "wise couselor"? Why no name or reference?

[Picture on page 19] Why is deciding whether to accept a marriage proposal so serious?

How Jesus Showed Subjection

Q8, 9) (a) How did Jesus view his subjection to God? (b) What benefit may be realized from subjection?

8) Although subjection can be challenging, women can welcome it as honorable, even as did Jesus. While his subjection to God involved suffering, including death on a torture stake, he found joy in being submissive to God. (Luke 22:41-44; Hebrews 5: 7, 8; 12:3) Women can look to Jesus as an example, for the Bible says: "The head of a woman is the man; in turn the head of the Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) Significantly, however, it is not only when women marry that they come under the headship of men.

Subjection can be challenging

How do men do in subjecting themselves to the elders? Do they find it honorable? Do they find it a joy to be submissive? JW men act as if subjection and submissiveness are words that apply only to women.

Jesus as an example

remember Jesus submitted a perfect individual; not an imperfect man.

Significantly, however, it is not only when women marry that they come under the headship of men.

All "Christians" (JWs) are under the headship of the elders. But does that mean that the elders exercise headship over other JW men’s wives? What is the policy when correcting JW wives with JW husbands? Do the elders work through and with the husband or do the go over the husband’s headship and counsel the wife privately?

9) The Bible explains that women, whether married or single, should submit to the headship of spiritually qualified men who exercise oversight in the Christian congregation. (1 Timothy 2:12,13; Hebrews 13:17) When women follow God's direction to do so, they set an example for the angels in God's organizational arrangement. (1 Corinthians 11:8-10) In addition, older married women, by their fine example and helpful suggestions, teach younger women to `subject themselves to their own husbands.'-Titus 2:3-5.

The Bible explains that women, whether married or single, should submit to the headship of spiritually qualified men who exercise oversight in the Christian congregation

Just as men, married or single, should submit to the elders.

Are all men "qualified" to be teachers?

(1 Corinthians 12:27-30) 27 Now YOU are Christ’s body, and members individually. 28 And God has set the respective ones in the congregation, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then powerful works; then gifts of healings; helpful services, abilities to direct, different tongues. 29 Not all are apostles, are they? Not all are prophets, are they? Not all are teachers, are they? Not all perform powerful works, do they? 30 Not all have gifts of healings, do they? Not all speak in tongues, do they? Not all are translators, are they?

Here Paul is talking to the whole congregation, men and women,

(Hebrews 13:17) 17 Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among YOU and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over YOUR souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to YOU.

Q10) How did Jesus set an example in showing subjection?

10) Jesus realized the value of appropriate subjection. On one occasion, he directed the apostle Peter to pay taxes to human authorities for them both, even providing Peter with the tax money to do so. Peter later wrote: "For the Lord's sake subject yourselves to every human creation." (1 Peter 2:13; Matthew 17:24-27) Regarding Jesus' most outstanding example of subjection, we read: "He emptied himself and took a slave's form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death."-Philippians 2:5-8.

Appropriate subjection

I wonder what is considered "inappropriate" subjection? I wonder how many beatings it takes before a wife can consider subjection to her husband "inappropriate"?

Did Jesus subject himself to the religious leaders or to God’s law first?

Jesus also washed the feet of his apostles. Can you imagine your husband or the elders washing your feet?

Q11) Why did Peter encourage wives to be submissive even to husbands who were unbelievers?

11) When encouraging Christians to be submissive even to harsh, unjust authorities of this world, Peter explained: "In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely." (1 Peter 2:21) After describing how much Jesus suffered and how he submissively endured, Peter encouraged wives of unbelieving husbands: "In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect."-1 Peter 3: 1, 2.

At 1 Peter 2:21, was Peter encouraging Christian women to stay with husbands that continually beat them? Or was he rather talking to all Christians, men and women, to show "appropriate" subjection?

Won without a word

does that mean that these women cannot cry out when being beaten?

*** w83 3/15 pp. 28-29 Honor Godly Marriage! ***

In some cases there may be verbal and physical abuse, threats and beatings. But does this mean that the Christian marriage mate should leave the unbeliever? The apostle Paul counsels: "A wife should not depart from her husband; but if she should actually depart, let her remain unmarried or else make up again with her husband; and a husband should not leave his wife." As Paul points out, preserving the marriage will be to the spiritual benefit of any children. In a practical way, also, it may be to the material benefit of the believing parent and children. Still, in the event that abuse becomes unbearable, or life itself is endangered, the believing mate may choose to "depart." But the endeavor should be to "make up again" in due course.

Q12) What benefits were realized by Jesus' submissive course?

12) Submission in the face of ridicule and abuse may be viewed as evidence of weakness. Yet, that is not how Jesus viewed it. "When he was being reviled," Peter wrote, "he did not go reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go threatening." (1 Peter 2:23) Some who watched Jesus suffer became believers, at least to some degree, including a robber on a stake next to him and the army officer viewing the execution. (Matthew 27:38-44, 54; Mark 15: 39; Luke 23:39-43) Similarly, Peter indicated that some unbelieving husbands--even those who are abusive--will become Christians after observing the submissive conduct of their wives. We have seen evidence of this happening today.

Some unbelieving husbands—even those who are abusive—will become Christians (really only JWs)

Assuming the wife doesn’t die first…by the way, does that mean she allows the husband to beat the crap out of the children too?

How Wives Can Win Favor

Q13, 14) How has submission to unbelieving husbands been beneficial?

13) Wives who have become believers have won over their husbands by their Christlike conduct. At a recent district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, a husband said of his Christian wife: "I guess I was a jerk in the way I treated her. Yet, she was very respectful of me. She never once put me down. She didn't try to force her beliefs on me. She cared for me in a loving way. When she went to an assembly, she worked hard to prepare my meals ahead of time and to get the housework done. Her attitude started to arouse my interest in the Bible. And, well, here I am!" Yes, he had, in effect, been "won without a word" by his wife's conduct.

Recent—

what does the WTS define as recent. They have used experiences that are 20 years old but give the impression that they happened yesterday. Do you wonder if this woman worked a 40-hour job and took care of their four children besides being an obedient wife? Does that mean that JW men are scripturally barred from cooking or vacuuming the rug? That they will "fall out of the truth" if their JW wives don’t do this things?

Message here

good wives let their husband act like jerks and are careful not to force their beliefs on their husband---does that mean when he says she can't go to the meetings and take the children, that when he says he doesn’t want to be embarrassed by her going door to door in the community, that he wants to take the family to see his relatives the same week the CO comes, that she won’t sign a fraudulent tax return, that he wants to have sex with their children………that she remembers she can’t force her religious beliefs on her husband?

14) As Peter emphasized, it is not so much what a wife says but what she does that produces positive results. This was illustrated by a wife who learned Bible truths and was determined to attend Christian meetings. "Agnes, if you go out that door, don't come back in!" her husband shouted. She did not go out "that door" but, rather, another one. The next meeting night, he threatened: "I won't be here when you come back." Well, he was not--he was gone for three days. When he returned, she kindly asked: "Would you like something to eat?" Agnes never budged in her devotion to Jehovah. Her husband eventually accepted a Bible study, dedicated his life to God, and later served as an overseer with many responsibilities.

It is not such much what an elder says but what he does that produces positive results.

Notice that the husband "shouted" and "threatened." If he was gone for 3 days where do you think he went? Probably to his mama.

Now what if he had punched her in the face and blackened her eye? Every week? For 20 years?

How recent do you think this experience is? "eventually…dedicated…later served as an overseer" I would say at least 15 years ago.

Q15) What "adornment" is recommended for Christian wives?

15) The apostle Peter recommended something that the wives noted above have demonstrated, namely, "adornment," but not by giving exaggerated attention to the "braiding of the hair" or "the wearing of outer garments." Rather, Peter said: "Let [your adornment] be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God." This spirit is reflected in a tone of voice and a manner that are becoming rather than challenging or demanding. Thus a Christian wife shows her deep respect for her husband.-1 Peter 3:3, 4.

the most elaborate hairdo I ever saw belonged to a CO’s wife who admitted it took her 2 hours every day to achieve the look. I wonder if she was shown this scripture.

I remember a congregation where the men decided that nail polish of any color, dyeing one’s hair, and makeup were unchristian. It was strictly enforced; any brother who’s wife did not comply had no privileges. Then the new CO and his wife rolled into town. She not only wore nail polish but her nails were red and 3 inches long (required much time to attend to each week); her perfume left a calling card wherever she went; and she wore mascara, foundation, lipstick, powder, blush, the whole schmear. And he………dyed his hair. The end of the makeup patrol started that day. And did not start up after the CO left.

tone of voice and a manner that are becoming rather than challenging or demanding

Translation: if a woman disagrees with her husband or any man she is "challenging."

Have wives in the Bible disagreed with their husbands?

(Genesis 21:12) 12 Then God said to Abraham: "Do not let anything that Sarah keeps saying to you be displeasing to you about the boy and about your slave girl. Listen to her voice, because it is by means of Isaac that what will be called your seed will be.

Do you think that Sarah might have been considered "challenging" or "demanding" by today’s JW husbands.

(1 Samuel 25:9-11) 9 Accordingly David’s young men came and spoke to Na´bal in accord with all these words in the name of David and then waited. 10 At this Na´bal answered David’s servants and said: "Who is David, and who is the son of Jes´se? Nowadays the servants that are breaking away, each one from before his master, have become many. 11 And do I have to take my bread and my water and my slaughtered meat that I have butchered for my shearers and give it to men of whom I do not even know from where they are?"

14

At once Ab´i·gail hastened and took two hundred loaves of bread and two large jars of wine and five sheep dressed and five seah measures of roasted grain and a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs

But to her husband Na´bal she told nothing.

do not let my lord set his heart upon this good-for-nothing man Na´bal, for, as his name is, so is he. Na´bal is his name, and senselessness is with him.

Can you imagine that Abigail fit the profile of a "challenging" wife especially after calling her husband "good-for-nothing"?

Examples to Learn From

Q16) In what ways is Sarah a fine example for Christian wives?

16) Peter wrote: "Formerly the holy women who were hoping in God used to adorn themselves, subjecting themselves to their own husbands." (1 Peter 3:5) Such ones realized that pleasing Jehovah by heeding his counsel would ultimately result in family happiness and the reward of everlasting life. Peter mentions Sarah, the beautiful wife of Abraham, noting that she "used to obey Abraham, calling him `lord."' Sarah supported her God-fearing husband, whom God had assigned to serve in a distant land. She gave up a comfortable lifestyle and even put her life in jeopardy. (Genesis 12:1, 10-13) Peter recommended Sarah for her courageous example, saying: "You have become her children, provided you keep on doing good and not fearing any cause for terror." -1 Peter 3:6.

Are they suggesting that JW women call their husbands "lord"?

Sarah did more than "put her life in jeopardy." Abraham lied and put Sarah in danger of being violated sexually, all to save himself and the so-called precious seed.

*** w05 2/1 p. 26 par. 15 Jehovah Always Does What Is Right ***

Recall that because Sarah was very beautiful, Abraham had asked her to identify him as her brother, lest others kill him in order to take her. Subsequently, Sarah was taken to the household of Pharaoh. Jehovah, however, intervened, preventing Pharaoh from violating Sarah. (Genesis 12:11-20)

Are they suggesting that women lie for their husbands and risk being violated all for the sake of the WTS?

[Picture on page 21] What can wives learn from the example of such Bible characters as Abigail?

Q17) Why might Peter have had Abigail in mind as an example for Christian wives?

17) Abigail was another fearless woman who hoped in God, and Peter may have had her in mind as well. She "was good in discretion," but her husband Nabal "was harsh and bad in his practices." When Nabal refused to give assistance to David and his men, they prepared to wipe out Nabal and his entire household. But Abigail took action to save her household. She loaded supplies of food on asses and met David as he and his armed men were en route. Catching sight of David, she dismounted, fell at his feet, and entreated him not to act rashly. David was deeply moved. "Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me!" he said, "and blessed be your sensibleness." -I Samuel 25:2-33.

she directly challenged her husband’s headship.

so disobeying your husband can be called sensibleness. If Nabal had not died directly, would Abigail have had to stay with him and even have been beaten for her disobedience?

Q18) If tempted by the amorous attentions of another man, wives can reflect on what example, and why?

18) Another fine example for wives is that of a young Shulammite woman who remained loyal to the humble shepherd to whom she was promised in marriage. Her love for him remained strong despite the amorous attentions of a wealthy potentate. Moved to express her feelings for the young shepherd, she said: "Place me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; because love is as strong as death is ... Many waters themselves are not able to extinguish love, nor can rivers themselves wash it away." (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7) May it also be the resolve of all those who accept a marriage proposal to remain loyal to their husbands and deeply respect them.

amazingly the WTS leaves out that men could have multiple wives at this time indulging their sexual desires with many women. Not so women; they couldn’t even divorce their husbands.

Did you notice that they have given us THREE OT EXAMPLES?

Additional Divine Counsel

Q19, 20) (a) For what reason should wives be in subjection to their husbands? (b) What fine example has been provided for wives?

19) Finally, consider the context of our theme scripture: "Wives be in subjection to [your] husbands." (Ephesians 5:22) Why is such subjection necessary? "Because," the next verse continues, "a husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation." Therefore, wives are urged: "As the congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything."-Ephesians 5:23, 24, 33.

Is subjection only necessary regarding wives? Aren’t men supposed to be in subjection to the elders in the congregation, the CO and DO, the WTS/FDS/GB?

Is the WTS/FDS/GB (only the anointed are the congregation mentioned in Ephesians) subject to Jesus? If so why has Jesus given them such bad information as to when the end is coming, 1914, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1940’s, 1975, (1984),(1994), very soon now?

Why for so many years were JWs told that 1935 was the cutoff date for people being called to heaven by the holy spirit, and now they admit there is not scriptural basis for that? Weren’t they in subjection to Christ following his lead not their own?

Notice that Jesus is subject to a perfect individual, God.
The man is subject to a perfect individual, Jesus.
But the woman is subject to a imperfect individual, her husband.

Who do you think has a more difficult time of it?

20) To obey this command, wives need to study and then imitate the example of Christ's congregation of anointed followers. Please read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and thereby learn what one member of the congregation, the apostle Paul, endured in being faithful to his Head, Jesus Christ. Like Paul, wives as well as the rest of the congregation need to remain loyally subject to Jesus. Wives demonstrate this by their subjection to their husbands.

So what did Paul endure that wives should also endure?

(2 Corinthians 11:23-28) 23 Are they ministers of Christ? I reply like a madman, I am more outstandingly one: in labors more plentifully, in prisons more plentifully, in blows to an excess, in near-deaths often. 24 By Jews I five times received forty strokes less one, 25 three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I experienced shipwreck, a night and a day I have spent in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from highwaymen, in dangers from [my own] race, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers, 27 in labor and toil, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, in abstinence from food many times, in cold and nakedness. 28 Besides those things of an external kind, there is what rushes in on me from day to day, the anxiety for all the congregations.

Is the WTS suggesting that wives must endure "prisons," blows to an excess," "near-deaths often," "forty strokes less one (five times," "beaten with rods," "stoned" "abstinence from food," "cold and nakedness" at the hand of their husband?

Q21) What can serve as incentives for wives to remain subject to their husbands?

21) While many wives today may chafe at being in subjection, a wise woman will consider its advantages. For example, in the case of a husband who is an unbeliever, submitting to his headship in all matters that would not mean violating God's laws or principles may well yield the marvelous reward of her being able to `save her husband.' (1 Corinthians 7:13, 16) Furthermore, she can find contentment in knowing that Jehovah God approves of her course and will richly reward her for imitating the example of his dear Son.

submitting to his headship in all matters that would not mean violating God's laws or principles

That means you must let him beat you up and/or your children but you cannot have oral sex.

Yes, as you clean up your cuts and treat your black eye, and try to hide the reason for your broken arm at the clinic, you can find contentent knowing God approves (WTS approves) of your course.

Do You Remember?

- Why may it be a challenge for a wife to respect her husband?

- Why is accepting a marriage proposal so serious?

- How did Jesus serve as an example for wives, and what benefits may result from following his example?

Concluding Comments

"In every sphere of ancient civilization, women had no rights at all. Under Jewish law a woman was a thing; she was owned by her husband in exactly the same way as he owned his sheep and his goats; on no account could she leave him, although he could dismiss her at any moment. . . .

William Barclay, The Letters of James and Peter, (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), 258-259.

Does the WTS today teach that women are owned by their husbands? In saying that wives could not be sold Deuteronomy was talking about a captive non-Jewish woman that a Jewish man had married. And where would she go to, all her family were dead which was the requirement for him to be able to marry her, a non-Jewish woman? And did he need any "reason" to send her away except that he had no "delight" in her, perhaps she was no longer young and pretty?

*** w95 7/15 p. 12 par. 12 The Dignified Role of Women Among God’s Early Servants ***

Husbands

"owners":

evidently

ba´?al

be?u·lah´

there is no indication that pre-Christian women found them offensive

Wives were not to be treated as pieces of property, though. Property or wealth could be bought, sold, and even inherited, but this was not so of a wife

(Deuteronomy 21:14) 14 And it must occur that if you have found no delight in her, you must then send her away, agreeably to her own soul; but you must by no means sell her for money. You must not deal tyrannically with her after you have humiliated her.

Were women property? Why in these following scriptures are the man and woman put the death in the first 2 scenarios and not in the third?

(Deuteronomy 22:22-29) 22 "In case a man is found lying down with a woman owned by an owner, both of them must then die together, the man lying down with the woman and the woman. So you must clear away what is bad out of Israel. 23 "In case there happened to be a virgin girl engaged to a man, and a man actually found her in the city and lay down with her, 24 YOU must also bring them both out to the gate of that city and pelt them with stones, and they must die, the girl for the reason that she did not scream in the city, and the man for the reason that he humiliated the wife of his fellowman. So you must clear away what is evil from your midst. 25 "If, however, it is in the field that the man found the girl who was engaged, and the man grabbed hold of her and lay down with her, the man who lay down with her must also die by himself, 26 and to the girl you must do nothing. The girl has no sin deserving of death, because just as when a man rises up against his fellowman and indeed murders him, even a soul, so it is with this case. 27 For it was in the field that he found her. The girl who was engaged screamed, but there was no one to rescue her. 28 "In case a man finds a girl, a virgin who has not been engaged, and he actually seizes her and lies down with her, and they have been found out, 29 the man who lay down with her must also give the girl’s father fifty silver shekels, and she will become his wife due to the fact that he humiliated her. He will not be allowed to divorce her all his days.

The first 2 women were considered the property (owned) of another man. The third woman was not engaged, thus not owned, and escaped death…it was not a matter of morality but ownership.

Even under the Law, women were spoken of as property. Wives are put in the same category as a house, slaves, a bull or an ass, or "anything that belongs to your fellow man." Sounds like women are property to me.

(Exodus 20:17) 17 "You must not desire your fellowman’s house. You must not desire your fellowman’s wife, nor his slave man nor his slave girl nor his bull nor his ass nor anything that belongs to your fellowman."

Below is a previous discussion of women’s roles in the WTS in a 4-17-05 WT study.

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/89023/1.ashx/Comments+You+Will+Not+Hear+at+the+4-17-05+WT+Study

What a grim study. And the one for children is next. I can hardly wait.

We are applying for our passports this morning in preparation for our Canadian tour. The media concentrates on what a sieve the Mexican border is; the Canadian one is about as secure.

I have 2 of the teams in the final four and about 47 right in general…my best year and all with no knowledge of the teams…it’s all numbers and basketball.

I suppose some of us are anxious about Monday; if you are going my heart is with you. I will be at home myself. No family or friends that matter, I guess.

Love, Blondie

Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-1-07 WT Study (RESPECT HUSBAND)

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