What does "provide her with food, clothing, and marital rights" teach about responsibility? Setting the Scene: Exodus 21:10–11 “If he takes another wife, he must not reduce the first one’s food, clothing, or marital rights. If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free without payment of money.” Key Observations • The command is directed to the husband, naming him the accountable party. • The needs listed—food, clothing, marital rights—cover every dimension of a wife’s well-being: physical sustenance, material security, and emotional/intimate care. • Failure to meet these obligations breaks the covenant and releases the wife without penalty, underscoring the seriousness of the charge. Divine Principles of Responsibility • Provision is non-negotiable. 1 Timothy 5:8 insists, “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith.” • Protection is built in. Clothing expresses shelter and safety; compare with Ephesians 5:28–29, where a husband is to “nourish and cherish” his wife as his own body. • Participation in marital intimacy is required. 1 Corinthians 7:3 reminds that each spouse must “fulfill his marital duty to the other.” Practical Dimensions for Today • Physical care – Supplying nutritious meals, safe housing, and medical attention reflects obedience to the command. • Material stability – Budgeting, working diligently, and stewarding resources so the household is clothed and sheltered. • Emotional and relational investment – Consistent affection, conversation, and shared life guard the covenant from neglect. Wider Biblical Echoes • Genesis 2:24 calls the husband to “hold fast” to his wife—an enduring bond supported by ongoing provision. • Malachi 2:14–16 portrays God as witness to marriage covenants and condemns treacherous treatment of a spouse. • 1 Peter 3:7 directs husbands to live with their wives “in an understanding way, showing them honor,” linking responsibility to spiritual health. Heart-Level Application • View responsibility as covenant faithfulness, not mere duty. • Let tangible actions of provision preach the gospel of Christ’s sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25). • Remember that neglect harms both spouse and witness; obedience blesses the home and glorifies God. |
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