Assigning Honor to Family Members

Husbands and parents do well to imitate Jehovah and Jesus Christ in exercising God-given authority.  Peter admonished:  "You husbands, continue dwelling in like manner with [your wives] according to knowledge, assigning them respect as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one."  (1 Peter 3:7) Imagine handling a delicate porcelain vessel, obviously more fragile than a wooden one.  (as we women should be-but not all are) Would you not take greater care?  A husband can do so by imitating Jehovah, listening to his wife's  opinions when deciding family matters.  Recall that Jehovah took time to reason with Abraham.  Being imperfect, a husband may fail to see the whole scope of the matter.  So would it not be wise for him to honoring his wife by sincerely considering her opinion? (yes, but 200 or so years ago, they asked the opinion, but did  not always go with it, as it should have been, because women do not always know what is best.  Yes, I am old fashioned, I like to be treated like a lady, myself, I am not a feminist-that is Satan's thing)

In lands where male authority is deeply entrenched , a husband must keep in mind that his wife may have to overcome, a formidable barrier to express her innermost feeling.  Imitate the way Jesus Christ dealt with his disciples, part of his future bride class, while he was on earth.  (This does not mean women, this is something else)  He cherished them, taking into consideration their physical and spiritual limitations even before they voiced their needs.  (Mark 6:31; John 16:12, 13; Ephesians 5:28-30)  In addition, take time to observe what your wife is doing for you  and your family, and express your appreciation in words and deeds.  Both Jehovah and Jesus appreciated, commended and blessed the worthy ones.  (1 Kings 3:10-14; Job 42:12-15; Mark 12:41-44; John 12:3-8)  After her husband become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian woman in the Orient said:  "My husband used to walk three or four steps ahead of me, letting me carry everything.  Now he carries the bags and shows appreciation for what I am doing at home!"  (women should also show their husbands honor/respect as well)  A word of sincere appreciation goes a long way toward helping your wife to feel valued. -Proverbs 31:28.

In dealing with their children, especially when reproof is needed, parents should imitate God's example.  "Jehovah kept warning Israel and Judah"  to turn back from their bad ways, but they "kept hardening their necks."  (2 Kings 17:13-15) The Israelites even "tried to fool him with their mouth; and with their tongue they tried to lie to him."  Many parents may feel that their children sometimes act like that.  The Israelites "put God to the test" and pained him, making him feel hurt.  Yet, Jehovah "was merciful; he would cover the error and not bring ruin."- Psalm 78:36-41.  ( don't know if  I would be so nice if we were all acting like that, which by the way, a lot of people do)

Next time: Conclusion of Assigning Honor to Family Members

The Watchtower, 2000