TYPE TITLE OF PAPER

__________________

A Paper

Presented to

Dr. Evan Lenow

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

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In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for ETHIC 4303-A

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by

Mark Thomas

June 22, 2013

PSALM 128: THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A GODLY HUSBAND AND FATHER

At the beginning of the Twenty-first century, Western culture’s definition of a

husband and father is nebulous. However where culture is deficient the Bible offers

numerous instructions in what manner men should conduct themselves as husbands and

fathers. The instruction found in the Bible relating to this topic is so widespread and

voluminous one would virtually have to commit to reading it entirely to ensure nothing

remained unexploited. Consequently, the Bible’s profuseness is simultaneously an asset

and a liability. Subsequently, it would be advantageous if there were a Biblical job

description for men to follow. Yet, there is a hitch, Köstenberger and Jones state, “The

Old Testament does not contain an explicit “job description” for husbands.”1 If they are

correct then that eliminates a majority of the Bible from consideration. Nevertheless,

before starting a search in the New Testament it will be argued in this project that when

one considers the teaching on husbands and fathers in both testaments that the elusive job

description does exist in the Old Testament passage of Psalm 128.

Godly Husbands and Fathers

The Bible’s use to outline how a man should be a husband and father, then by

virtue of the fact that the Bible is God’s Word means a generic definition is not sought.

Thus, what is presented is not just another way to describe tasks but rather how to be

Godly while performing those tasks. To that end, it will be presented that God made men

1 Andreas J. Köstenberger and David W. Jones, God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation, 2nd ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010), 29.

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to be husbands and fathers. The limitation of space will confine scriptural references

primarily to the Biblical books of Genesis and Ephesians. Therefore, these passages will

be the background for the job description presented from Psalm 128.

When a discussion is initiated regarding a Godly husband and father the need

for his multiplication is apparent. The impact of divorce and children born out of

wedlock has had devastating consequences for the American family. The annual The

State of Our Unions: Marriage in America 2012 report states, ”The percentage of

children who grow up in fragile—typically fatherless—families has grown enormously

over the past five decades.”2 Therefore, most children and their mothers have little if no

observable examples of Godly husbands or fathers. Consequently, if one's aspiration is to

become a Godly husband and father they may have to educate their wife and children

while simultaneously learning themselves.

With this challenging environment for men, women, and children to be a

Godly family, stresses the desperate need for men to follow a new direction. Albeit the

culmination of this endeavor will result in stronger families, due to the limited scope of

this undertaking the many familial accounts within the Bible will not be included.

Instead, the focus will be Scripture’s direct communication to men on the matter of being

husbands and fathers. Accordingly, there will not be an exhaustive list of scriptures

presented; rather, the emphasis will be the basics of a man’s responsibility to his wife and

children as outlined by the foundational passages referenced previously. Thus, this

project is not the culmination of teachings but rather the commencement of the

conversation regarding the development of men as Godly husbands and fathers.

2 National Marriage Project and The Institute for American Values, The State of Our Unions: Marriage in America 2012 (2012), 89.

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Genesis 1-2: The Garden Perspective on Godly Husbands and Fathers

Granted, the first few chapters of Genesis are significant for many aims.

Notwithstanding marriage and family are inaugurated in this text. However since only

the instruction involving men is sought the passages that affect his responsibilities are

considered. Therefore, to promote clarity as Burbaker correctly states, “The order and

details of the creation of the man and the woman have tremendous implications for the

institution of marriage.”3 For this reason, the following material will be presented in the

order that it appears in the account.

Genesis 1:26-28: Made to Create and Rule in the Image of God

It may be cliché to think conditions are so marred that the only option is to

scrap everything and go back to the beginning. Well, cliché or not when it comes to men

being a Godly husband that is exactly where he must start. In verse 26, there is a direct

quote from God regarding the creation of humanity. The verse that follows gives

commentary on the previous verse. The focus at this point is not on gender but rather on

the prototype used for humanity's creation.

The use of this model is communicated to the reader using the ordinary words

“us” and “our.” The significance for humanity is in what is embodied, “it would seem

most acceptable to hold to the interpretation advanced by the ancient church fathers and

universally accepted by scholars of the past, that this is a reference to the Triune God.”4

This is momentous for just as the Triune God works collectively, humanity male and

3 Eric Brubaker, "A Christian View of Marriage," Brethren Life and Thought 55, no. 1-2 (2010): 31.

4 G. Charles Aalders, Genesis, vol. 1, Bible Student's Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981), 70.

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female, are created to work together. Consider the Trinity is how the Universe including

the Earth is governed. The lesson for humanity is, “Within the garden, the man and

woman are God's representatives on earth. In fact, they are rulers in God's own image

over all creation (cf. 1:27-28).”5 Therefore, as a husband considers his calling he must

first appreciate his marriage is fashioned in the rendering of the Trinity.

With the view of how the married couple is to interrelate established the text

moves to what will be accomplished. In verse 28, “"And God…said to them." That is the

first revelation of God to humanity.”6 This revelation was given to “them” and it was to

“be fruitful and multiply.” This first calling given to them was impossible to accomplish

alone, additionally; it implies that God preordained men to be fathers. Hence, God’s plan

for men is to be working as one with his wife and raising children.

Genesis 2:15, 24: Stewardship and Familial Priority in the Garden

A man’s calling is further developed in Genesis chapter 2. For here, a broader

scene is provided into men’s daily life. His vocation is addressed along with the primacy

of the family. The specifics are few, nonetheless, in these passages the highlights are

given of what a man does. As a result, the implications of the text are applicable to all

men.

The first passage reviewed is verse 15. In this passage, God determined where

man would work. In addition, God gave the tasks to be accomplished. In this verse, it is

simply put that man is to work and keep the garden. “The word "to work" strongly

5 Paul F. Scotchmer, "Lessons from Paradise on Work, Marriage, and Freedom: A Study of Genesis 2:4-3:24," Evangelical Review of Theology 28, no. 1 (2004): 81.

6 Aalders, Genesis Bible Student's 72.

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contradicts the notion some have, that in Paradise, before the Fall, man enjoyed a

glorious state of inactivity.”7 Some try to connect work to the curses found in chapter 3,

however this verse makes it obvious that God’s intention has always been for men to

work. “This "working" of the Garden also implies that the perfection of creation (1:31)

did not preclude responsible work on man's part.”8 Therefore, all that God has put into

men’s lives that is “good” requires work. This notion of man as God’s steward over

creation is not exclusively limited to vocation but as will be demonstrated also extends to

the home.

The final Genesis passage studied is verse 24 with its divine command for men

to make their wife the zenith of their human relationships. This passage instructs, “the

marriage bond is even stronger than that between parent and child, for "a man forsakes

his father and mother and sticks to his wife," an astounding declaration in a world where

filial duty was the most sacred obligation next to loyalty to God.”9 Moreover, marriage

will be a lifelong relationship. Thus, a man’s parents and children are to be only

temporary in comparison. Therefore, a man holds a higher loyalty only to God when

considering the relationship with his wife.

This verse likewise gives insight into what God is trying to teach humanity

through marriage. It demonstrates, “their melding as 'one flesh' - a term that refers to the

entire marital bond - was even stronger than the blood ties with parents.”10 Therefore, in

7 Ibid., 91.

8 Ibid., 91.

9 Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1-15, vol. 1, Word Biblical Commentary (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987), 88.

10 Scotchmer, "Lessons from Paradise," 82.

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the case of marriage what is in view is the fusing of two distinct individuals. Thus, when

a man marries, he becomes one with his wife and they work as one in a fashion similar to

the Trinity, making the marriage relationship a shadow of the divine. This could be

transformational for men trying to lead their family in a Godly fashion if they understood

the heavenly example they have for relating to their wife. Fortunately, for such men the

concept is further developed in the New Testament.

Ephesians 5:25-33: Husbands, Christ and the Church

It is now a Post-Garden of Eden world and humanity experiences daily the

ramifications of sin's presence. However, this does not invalidate the foundational

teachings of Genesis. They are still in effect what is more men who desire to be Godly

husbands have the assistance of additional teachings. This further instruction derives

from the familiar text exhorting men to care for their wife in the same manner Christ does

the Church. Within this passage, a man can learn how to properly love his wife, be the

steward of her purity, and an inspiration for other marriages.

In this passage, men are introduced to a love beyond what is found in the

culture around them. This is a sinful world that is obnoxiously selfish. Into this self-

centered situation, Scripture instructs husbands, “rather than the wife sacrificing herself

for her husband, Paul admonished the husband to sacrifice himself for her.”11 The love

being instructed to be employed here is a love that gives. Love is so important in

marriage that Paul teaches about it, “in two stages - vv 25-27 and vv28-32. In both stages

the exhortation is for husbands to love their wives, and in both the warrant involves

11 Jack J. Gibson, "Ephesians 5:21-33 and the Lack of Marital Unity in the Roman Empire," Bibliotheca Sacra 168, no. 670 (2011): 176.

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Christ's love for the Church.”12 The bottom line for husbands is it is not about him, it is

about her and can he put into practice in his marriage what he is learning from Christ’s

example. Thus, the man who recognizes the cost associated with this kind of love is

correct. As Morse states, “The decision to love entails costs for the person who loves.

The person voluntarily assumes these costs.”13 Therefore, a husband’s love for his wife

will be costly, not for the weak, and worth it.

It does not take long for a married man to realize that his wife likes to dress up

in order to feel beautiful. This is what makes it worth it for a man to love his wife as

Christ loves the Church. For when he does, he plays a part in helping her to be beautiful.

In verses 26-27, beauty is not in view, however purity is, and that which is pure is

beautiful. “The church is the bride of Christ, whose goal is to prepare in purity and

chastity for the arrival of her Husband and the wedding of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7).”14

Likewise, a husband receives his wife on their wedding day wearing a white dress to

symbolize her purity. He then becomes joined with her until death separates them with

the ultimate goal to deliver her still pure to eternity. Consequently, the husband takes his

example from Christ thereby preparing her for eternity through selfless love and

safeguarding her purity.

As expressed above the ramifications of this kind of marriage have eternal

consequences. However, a marriage conducted in this manner enables opportunities for

the present. It provides an opportunity for a Godly husband to point others to Christ 12 Andrew T. Lincoln, Ephesians, vol. 42, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas,

TX: Word Books, 1990), 387.

13 Jennifer Roback Morse, Love & Economics: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village, Collegiate ed. (San Marcos, CA: Ruth Institute Books, 2008), 255.

14 Brubaker, "A Christian View," 36.

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through marriage. In today’s world divorces seem more common than marriages and that

is not dissimilar to the world Ephesians was written in. At the time of Ephesians,

“divorce and remarriage were both legal and frequent for Roman citizens of all religious

persuasions, indissolubility emerged as distinctive of Christian marriage”15 Hence, a

Godly husband will not only impact his own marriage through the lifelong commitment

to his wife but also the marriages of those around him.

The love a Godly husband is to have for his wife coupled with the effort he is

to expend acting as the steward of her purity is summarized in verse 29. As Harvey

explains, “Husbands should nourish and cherish wives, “just as Christ does the

church.””16 This positions Christ as the example for husbands in regards to the impact

they are to have in their marriages. Thus, expanding the extent of instruction for

husbands found in the Scriptures to now include those applicable to Christ’s care for the

church. Moreover, cherishing and nourishing providing an echo back to God’s original

plan for men depicted in the Garden. Therefore, with Christ’s example applicable to

husbands the standard to be a Godly husband is beyond natural, it is supernatural.

Psalm 128: The Godly Man’s Job Description

The first man received his instructions verbally from God. Men of today

additionally have the example of Christ. The teachings found in the Bible are vast in

quantity instructing men on how to be Godly husbands and fathers. Consequently, a

succinct sketch is needed for men to assess their execution in their familial calling.

15 Thomas M. Finn, "Sex and Marriage in the Sentences of Peter Lombard," Theological Studies 72, no. 1 (2011): 45.

16 David T. Harvey, When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage (Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2007), 26.

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However, each family is too unique for a comprehensive checklist; this description must

provide a visual picture for success. For a Godly man must have a right relationship with

the Lord, his wife and children. He must provide for his family, not just sustenance but a

proper environment for them to thrive. Subsequently, the positive effects of this ministry

at home will spill over into the community and nation. Therefore, Psalm 128 is the job

description of a Godly husband and father.

Psalm 128 demonstrates that the prerequisite for being a Godly husband and

father originates with the quality of one’s relationship with the Lord. Just as plants need

light and water to thrive, similarly a family needs love. “Love for God is foundational

because it puts us in touch with the source of love (1 John 4:8) and gives us an example

of ideal love (1 John 4:10-11).”17 Thus, every verse that follows verse 1 is impossible

without a thriving relationship with the Lord. In addition, “The Holy Trinity itself is

"family" (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); those in Christ are "family" (brothers and sisters);

and the original Genesis intent for humanity was family.”18 Therefore, only the man who

is intimate with God will possess the characteristics to be a successful husband and

father.

Once a man’s primary spiritual concern is addressed the text shifts to the

familial necessities. The passage does not specify the man’s vocation, only the results.

He simply is to work and that labor will provide for the physical needs of himself and his

family. Next, the second relationship for men is portrayed with the analogy of his wife in

the likeness of a vine. Hence, an example with parallels to the Garden, the wife of a

17 R. Kent Hughes and Barbara Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Family (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007), 30.

18 Ibid., 87.

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Godly man’s home is to be fruitful. Furthermore, with the home designated as his the

text is placing her welfare under his responsibility as does the passages in Genesis and

Ephesians. Likewise, with the example of Christ’s responsibility for the Church in view

Jesus’ teaching on his being the vine in John 15 adds additional detail to this imagery.

Consequently, in Jesus’ lesson, he is the vine and God is the vinedresser who maximizes

the vine’s productivity. Therefore, the husband is his wife’s steward in a manner that

facilitates her becoming all that God desires.

Following the passage regarding the wife Psalm 128 provides metaphors

regarding children the previously referenced passages lack. In aforementioned passages,

children have been implied and it is obvious that a healthy marriage is beneficial for

them. However, this text’s comparison of children to olive shoots communicates

concisely the outcome for children raised by a Godly father. “Olive trees, common in the

Middle East, take time to mature and become profitable. When patiently cultivated, they

produce crops for many years.”19 Yet again, the children are placed at the father’s table

placing them under his charge. The inference is clear; if the children grow up

malnourished, the blame originates with their father. Likewise, since children are more

complex than plants they require more than just feeding. For if, Godly children are to

mature into Godly adults their father as this text denotes employing the imagery of the

table where meals are served must have daily involvement. This task is not necessarily

his vocation only his responsibility and when one considers the mistake in educational

choices made by Christian parents presented by Blamires, “the Church has too readily

handed over the young to be instructed by materialistic psychologist and amoral

19 Steven J. Lawson and Max E. Anders, Psalms 76-150, vol. 12, Holman Old Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2006), 292.

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aesthetes.”20 Then the father’s role in ensuring that his children develop physically,

mentally, and spiritually into whom God created them to be cannot be understated.

At this point in the passage, if the man who wanted to be a Godly husband and

father perceives that there is not much in this for him. The remainder of the text offers

three benefits of one’s successfully fulfilling his responsibilities as a husband and father.

The first is the prosperity of the nation. In the text, Jerusalem is the political and spiritual

national capital. If Jerusalem then prospers, the nation prospers. The second benefit is

the experience of grandchildren. It is not guaranteed one will have them, but it is almost

universal that grandchildren are a delight for grandparents. Finally, the text concludes

with the obvious result of healthy families in a healthy nation, peace. The apprehension

associated with life today is a constant reminder of the lack of peace in our homes and

communities. Therefore, Psalm 128 provides a description for acquiring the blessings

associated with doing family as God designed.

Conclusion

The ideal environment for men to be Godly husbands and fathers was lost with

the first family’s expulsion from the Garden. Scotchmer writes, “according to Genesis

man was brought into the world to enjoy and manage a place of great beauty, order, and

countless delights.”21 Yes, the loss of the idyllic setting makes the prospects of success

for husbands and fathers considerably more difficult. Nevertheless, with the addition of

Christ example to emulate and additional Scripture to educate potential remains.

Therefore the man who desires to be a Godly husband and father can recapture starting in

20 Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think? (Vancouver [Canada]: Regent College Publishing, 2005), 174.

21 Scotchmer, "Lessons from Paradise," 81.

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his home if only a shadow of the former glory of what God intended for the family. To

that end, Psalm 128 serves well as a man’s job description to fulfill his calling to be a

Godly husband and father.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aalders, G. Charles. Genesis. Vol. 1. Bible Student's Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981.

Blamires, Harry. The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think? Vancouver [Canada]: Regent College Publishing, 2005.

Brubaker, Eric. "A Christian View of Marriage." Brethren Life and Thought 55, no. 1-2 (2010): 28-37.

Finn, Thomas M. "Sex and Marriage in the Sentences of Peter Lombard." Theological Studies 72, no. 1 (2011): 41-69.

Gibson, Jack J. "Ephesians 5:21-33 and the Lack of Marital Unity in the Roman Empire." Bibliotheca Sacra 168, no. 670 (2011): 162-177.

Harvey, David T. When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2007.

Hughes, R. Kent, and Barbara Hughes. Disciplines of a Godly Family. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2007.

Köstenberger, Andreas J., and David W. Jones. God, Marriage, and Family: Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010.

Lawson, Steven J., and Max E. Anders. Psalms 76-150. Vol. 12. Holman Old Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2006.

Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians. Vol. 42. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1990.

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Morse, Jennifer Roback. Love & Economics: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village. Collegiate ed. San Marcos, CA: Ruth Institute Books, 2008.

Scotchmer, Paul F. "Lessons from Paradise on Work, Marriage, and Freedom: A Study of Genesis 2:4-3:24." Evangelical Review of Theology 28, no. 1 (2004): 80-85.

Values, National Marriage Project and The Institute for American. The State of Our Unions: Marriage in America 2012. 2012.

Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1-15. Vol. 1. Word Biblical Commentary. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987.

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