formerly Akeret haBayit in Training

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Family Goverment

Essay Assignment from Polished Cornerstones


What is government, as it refers to family? What does “government” mean? Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines it under number four as
“The exercise of authority by a parent or householder. Children are often ruined by a neglect of government in parents.”
“Let family government be like that of our heavenly Father, mild, gentle, and affectionate.” Kollock

We see that government of the family is done by the head of the household, in this case the parents. It is the parents responsibility to set rules, standards, and principals for their home, and it follows that children must obey them. It is also important that one also govern themselves.
What does the Torah have to say about family government? Genesis 3:16 says
“ To the woman He said… your desire will be toward(“for you husband’s position” in the Hebrew) your husband, but he will rule over you.”

Here we see that part of family is that the wife would be under her husbands government, or authority. This is essential in the government of the family. The wife should example the submission , humility, respect, and cheerfulness to her husband that she wants her children to posses.

“ But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Messiah, and the head of a wife is her husband….” 1 Cor. 11:3
“ Wives should submit to their husbands as they do Adonai.” Ephesians 5:21

Here we see the Scripture says that the wife should submit and be under her husband.
“ Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in Adonai.” Coll. 3:18

Imagine what the United States of America would be like without government? The result would be catastrophic. It is the same in the family. Without government, the members of the family would be in discord, disorganization, and dysfunctional. It is also important that government does not become anarchy. The government of the family should be according to the Torah and the guiding of the Ruach HaKodesh(Holy Spirit). It is the parents responsibility to train their children in the path of Torah.
As for children, the Bible says for children to “ honor, revere, fear, and obey” their parents. There are many aspects of this, which should be covered at a different time.
The Bible has much more to say about family government, but I hope this has been a good overview. May we have a solid and functional family government, with G-d’s help.




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