Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
This passage of scripture teaches us God's original order for the family, with Adam and Eve being made overseers of His creation, and with their offspring being subject to them. The fact that "God said unto them" means that both of them were included in having dominion, for it was the will of God that both should stand shoulder to shoulder in the administration of the earth, with Adam taking the lead, since he was created before Eve. An interesting commentary is written by the pen of inspiration on this very point, and it will do us well to understand God's original ideal for the family structure, lest we draw incorrect conclusions about the way The Lord operates. Let's read:
[The Adventist Home pp. 25] God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing the close union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one.”
In this perfect union, decisions would then be made mutually, with the wife being included in all of the counsels in tandem with the husband, and thus both of their inputs would have equal weight whenever there were issues to be addressed. But sad to say this perfect world did not last too long, for sin entered and caused a necessary change in God's order for the family, and since we are stuck in this mode presently, we may as well make the most, and the best of our situations, until Eden is restored.
However, with the rise of feminism, the role of the man has been steadily eroded, especially here in the united states, with very dire consequences for the family and society as a whole. What is important for us to know is that man is a creature of dominion, and wherever his God-ordained domain is invaded or interfered with for any reason, one of two results often take place. He either fights desperately to maintain that which is his, or he takes a hike to places where he will be appreciated. Satan knows this well, and often seeks to unravel God's order through a reversal of roles in the family. And so many relationships have suffered as a direct result, that fatherless homes have now become an epidemic across the entire spectrum of our society.
This issue of man being a creature of domain is often displayed when his private space is invaded, through the sin of adultery, whereby another man may have an extramarital affair with his wife. At times like these the man feels very violated, and according to what the Bible states, he will not rest content until he has sought revenge. Now, this is not to say that Christian men should adopt this course of action, if for any reason adultery with the wife takes place, but the Bible does not mince words, and tells the naked truth as it is. Let's read:
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Let us therefore as Christians seek to mirror God's ideal order for the family government as much as possible, and whenever or wherever we have fallen short for any reason, let us always remember that the way of the cross is a path of self-denial, for it's only by submitting ourselves first to God, and then to one another, that the happiness, peace, serenity, and sanity of the home, can ever be maintained. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates this sacred truth, and it is the will of God that earnest efforts be now made to keep our vertical and horizontal relationships intact. Let's read:
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!