An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Marriage Counseling 101

(Proverbs 21:9 KJV)  It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Is this Solomon’s version of marriage counseling? 

It presents some problems.  Does this mean that I am to put up a tent in the back yard (since I don’t have a flat roof) and move out of the house?  How do you “dwell" (live NASB) (3427) on a “housetop" (roof NASB) (1406)?   I guess it could be done in Southern California or Florida.  Homes in Israel had flat roofs and were actually used like another room of the house.  For us it might be like a large patio or balcony. 

The point being made is the contrast of a pleasant, comfortable home and one full of conflict.  One point that needs to hit home is that the atmosphere of a home is established by the people, not the architecture.  This is another place where the words talk about husbands and wives but the meaning is extended to everyone.

So?  What kind of home are you working to establish?  Don’t act in such a way that other members of the family wish they could move out.  In our culture that has become too easy. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

I don't need a house-top, my books, computer and a TV are in my bedroom (we sleep seperately, since I snore)! Plus, there's always "outside."

Pumice said...

Second bedrooms. Now that is an option that was not available to the average person in those days. I am sure Solomon had a few but most people didn't.

I wonder if the Bible refers to snoring?

Grace and peace.