Weddingbee boards

@Angela83:  For someone who can quote so many verses from the books Leviticus and Exodus, you have very little understanding of the bible as a whole. The bible in addition to relaying the word of God, is also a historical document of actual rituals and occurances of the time (ie. slavery.) Also, there are many people in the bible who did horrible things, some of whom turned out to be major players in the written word (Abraham, Paul.)  The fact that they were redeemed by the Lord is a huge testimonial to his love and grace.  And by the way, someone can be redeemed and also disciplined for their actions. However, that is besides the point. I could go through each one of the verses you pulled, again from only two books of the old testament, and give you another verse that would explain or give context to the the one you quoted but instead I will leave you with a verse from Proverbs:  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 1:21-23

I can understand the negative reaction to the word "obey."  I think the word obey makes one think of being oppressed, as if one is subject to a tyrant of some sort.  I do think submit is a better word choice, however, so many people have obviously misinterpreted its meaning, especially in relation to its use in the bible, that it too has become synonymous with oppression.  No one, not God, not the bible, not me, is suggesting that a woman or a man for the matter should be oppressed in their marriage.    However, there are certain roles for the man and for the woman.  And guess what? Just because we have different roles doesn't mean we are somehow unequal.  Look at some of your other relationships- you and your parents have different roles, you and your co-workers have different roles, you and your children have different roles and yet you are all equal.  One life is not valued above another. 

 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Ephesians 5

Future wives, you really wouldn't submit to a man who would die for you?  A man who loves you just as much as he loves himself? Furthermore,  is a husband's willingness to sacrifice his life for his wife's not a submission of will and self-preservation? In fact, verse 21 says that you are submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God. Yes it says be subject to your husband, but that is if your husband is following the word and is a follower of Christ.  It doesn't say to follow any maniac, no matter how he treats you.  Yes, your roles are different, but both roles require work, respect, and love.  Maybe you are not Christian, so look at it from this angle.  I teach ballroom dance and in ballroom dance, the man is the leader and the woman is the follower.  This is the rule.  Does this mean the man can push the woman around, put her in compromising positions, and think solely of himself the entire time?  No, it is in fact the opposite.  The a good male leader thinks of nothing BUT his female partner and her comfort and in which ways he can frame her beautifully.  He would never allow her to fall.  What happens when two people try to lead?  They never get anywhere cause they are pushing in opposite directions.  What happens when the woman doesn't allow the man to lead?  He never learns how to and then the woman complains that he doesn't know how to do anything.  This applies as much to real life as it does to the dance floor.  If you think I am wrong, try taking a dance lesson and see what happens if you both try to lead at the same time. 

Perhaps this is falling on deaf ears, or blind eyes rather.  I just hate to see how absolutely adamant people are about refusing to believe that there might have to be a submission of the will when being unified in marriage to another person.  You aren't you anymore, you are one with each other. Inevitably, there is going to be some submission and sacrifice in that.