God has established the husband to be the head of the family just as Christ is the head the Church. As the head and the leader, the husband is entrusted with many responsibilities so as to make sure that things goes well in the family. Like a good shepherd, who will not like his sheep to go astray so also is a good husband.
Responsibilities of the husband according to the Bible include;
1. Family leader
In Esther 1-22, it says ” He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom , to each province, in its own script and to each people in it’s own language, proclaiming in each people’s tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household.”
The husband as the leader of the family gives directives righteously and ensures that these directives are properly carried out. He is to love, serve and be willing to fight justly for the family.
2. Be united to the wife and family
The husband should not be a separate body from the family, rather he should be united to the wife and family as Christ is united to the Church. Ephesians 5:31 says ” For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and the two will become one flesh.”
3. Provide for the family
It is the responsibility of the husband to provide for the family both materially and spiritually. 1 Timothy 5:8 says If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worst than an unbeliever.”
4. Love the wife and also the household
Just as Christ who is the head of the Church loved the Church, the husband is expected to unreservedly love his wife and also his family. According to the book of Ephesians 5:25-28 which says “Husband love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word and to present her to himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
5. Respect and honour their wives
The husband should treat his wife with respect and he is not expected to be harsh on the wife but rather considerate. 1 Peter 3:7 says “Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as they are weaker partner and heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” Husbands were also instructed on how to treat their wives in the book of Colossians 3:19, which says ” Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh on them.”
6. Training and directing of the kids
It is the duty of the husband and also the wife, to raise the children in a Godly way. He should show equal love to each and every of his children and should not discriminate. Ephesians 6:9, says “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead bring them up in the training and instructions of the Lord”. Fathers should also try to make their children happy. Colossians 3:21 say ” Fathers, do not embitter your children, or the will become discouraged. “
7. Faithfulness to the wife and children
The husband and as also a father is expected to be faithful both to the wife and in other areas because he is a role model to the kids. He should desist from fornication. Hebrews 13:4, Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge .”
Also read; How to treat your wife: 15 things you should do
