Biblical leaders like Isaac prayed for his wife. (Genesis 25:21) In some cultures, it is the responsibility of a wife to fast pray for her husband. That is even celebrated as a festival. Then there is no reciprocal gesture of festival by husband for wife. Sadly, a woman fasted and prayed for her husband, and later poisoned him to death, for his infidelity. (21 October 2024) She made her husband trust her and offered him good food when the fast was over, but it was poisoned.
Prayer for Long-life: Wives traditionally pray for the long life of their husbands. Married women desire to live a happy life, and not wish to become a widow. Fearing widowhood, accompanied by harsh social and economic realities, they pray that their husbands lead a healthy life.
Revenge: The husband was not true to his wife. He coveted another woman, and committed adultery with her, violating two commandments. This woman also violated the Ten Commandments by murdering her husband. (Exodus 20:1-17)
Paradox: She prayed for her husband’s long life so that she did not become a widow. But foolishly became a widow, by murdering her husband. She was arrested and thrown in jail. Instead of taking the law into her hands to murder him, she should have sought counsel or legal help.
Family Covenant: God created the institution of family when He created Eve out of Adam. Marriage is a sacred covenant in which man and woman become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24) The Lord Jesus Christ did His first miracle in the marriage at Cana, by turning water into wine. (John 2:1-11) The Bible commands a husband to love his wife, not other women, as the Lord loves His Bride, Church selflessly and sacrificially. (Ephesians 5:25)
Warning: “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4) Anyone who is immoral by having sexual relationships before marriage or outside marriage would be judged by God.
Do I understand the sacredness of the marriage covenant?