Reflections
Psalm 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5, 6 (Read)
“Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home.”
Our psalmist tells us that a man who has
a right relationship with the Lord will also
obtain a right relationship with his wife and
his family.
And walking in the ways of the Lord will be
reflected in the way a man treats his wife.
A man’s wife is after all, “bone of my bones,
flesh of my flesh.” (Genesis 2:23)
As Christ nourishes the Church, so a man
cherishes his wife, and nourishes his relationship
with her. And the man’s reward is that his wife
will be like a ‘fruitful vine’ within his house.
This is how a man is blessed who fears the Lord.
If we have a right relationship with the Lord,
we will know how to treat our wives and our
children, and in turn, we will discover how blessed
we are in our home and by the presence of our
family. “Just so will they be blessed
who fear the Lord.”
Having been so favored by God, we understand
why, “A man shall leave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife.” God made them one flesh,
and, “What God has joined, no human being may
separate.” (Gospel, Mark 10:7-9)
If we fear the Lord and walk in His ways, we will
receive the blessings of our labor, prosper in a
material way, and grow old gracefully in the company
of our wife and children.
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. Our psalmist speaks of the benefits of a right relationship with the Lord.
Tell of how fearing the Lord has led you to have a better relationship with your
spouse and your family members.
2. The Psalm asks, "May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives." Recall how
you have been blessed by God, both physically and spiritually, and how you have
been inspired to walk in His ways.
The wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of the house – It is not uncommon in the East, as elsewhere, to train a vine along the sides of a house - partly to save ground; partly because it is a good exposure for fruit; partly as an ornament; and partly to protect it from thieves. Such a vine, in its beauty, and in the abundant clusters upon it, becomes a beautiful emblem of the mother of a numerous household.
ReplyDeleteOne of the blessings most desired and most valued in the East was a numerous posterity and a numerous family. These two things are the blessings which are first specified as constituting the happiness of a pious household.
For me this seems to me like it is God’s blueprint for building a satisfying home:
1- A godly man is to lead his family in fearing the Lord
2- A godly woman will be fruitful and faithful in the home
3- Growing, fruitful children will carry on the godly legacy of the home
What is the end result of this process? A happy pious household.
Is it any wonder that Psalm 128 is also called "The Marriage Prayer?" The Psalm reveals the secret to a happy family life: "Fear the Lord and walk in His ways." (v.1) Those who obey God, follow Him, (or at least do their best), will "eat the fruit of their labor.. blessings and prosperity will be yours." (v.2) Those blessings extend to the fruitful vine-like wife and olive plant-like children that we see in verse 3. Verse 6 concludes with a reference even down to a man's children's children.
ReplyDeleteI love this divine model. Would that I am alive and well with my husband at my side... playing with my grandkids someday. I have decided to claim this promise as my own.
We pray together as a family and make every effort to make God our focal point. While varying family members have moments of selfishness and disruption, we always manage to come back to center.
Visit any Christian bookstore and you'll see titles such as The Power of a Praying Wife or The Power of a Praying Mom. There is recognized power in prayer to keep family relationships together and unbroken. When a particular relationship does endure strain, I believe that prayer can bring back peace and love.