WHAT IS HUSBAND MATERIAL?
IT IS public knowledge – all that is expected of a woman for her to be considered ‘wife material’. In fact, the most dominant book of guidelines that is used by many people in society, the Bible, talks specifically to characteristics that are required of ‘the perfect woman’. Proverbs 31 speaks of the virtuous woman who is trustworthy, hardworking, strong, giving, dresses modestly, and is worth more than rubies.
Women are also encouraged to prepare themselves for their ‘Boaz’, a biblical character who was apparently rich and deserving.
But seldom do you hear of men being encouraged to ready themselves for women, or of the required characteristics of a righteous man.
When asked to comment on the observation, Pastor Herro Blair Jr admitted that he would have to do additional reading on the matter, but noted that the Bible does instruct men to love their wives.
TRAITS OF A HUSBAND LACKING
“We always say men are from Mars and women from Venus, and I think the Bible kinda proves this because it never told the woman to love the man.
“It tells the woman to submit to the love of the man, but what it does say is: “husband love your wife” and that’s very strong.
“The Bible also goes on to give the fruits of love in various scriptures, including 1st Corinthians 13, where it says love is kind, patient, it doesn’t boast, and so on.
“So whereas the Bible has a Proverb 31 woman, it doesn’t have a Proverbs 32 man, but it instructs men to love and then shows the extent of love,” he said, as he called on the expertise of his mother.
Dr Alma Blair agreed with her son’s statements, also agreeing that although there is a specific blueprint for the perfect woman in the Bible, it is not as itemised for the men.
“It’s just that in studying, you learn what is expected of a good man. Some men aren’t open to criticism, some are kind, some aren’t ready to demonstrate their love and some are supportive and so on.
“Whenever I am counselling a woman who is preparing for marriage, I ensure that she knows this and (knows) what the Bible says about love so that she can make a choice as to whether it will be a good marriage.”
Blair also made references to a scripture in the Bible where King Solomon talks about the various roles of a man, including that of a father, a son, and a husband.
The mother-son duo concluded that though there is a specific scripture that speaks in depth about the traits of a virtuous woman, there are various verses scattered in the Bible which tell what is expected of the man.