1 Peter 3:1-9 KJV
(1) Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
(2) While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
(3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
(4) But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
(5) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
(6) Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(7) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
(8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
(9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Paul once said woman should be silent in church only for the world to take that thought to woman in the church world should be silent. In Corinthian church in chapter 14 there was a problem going on with people speaking out of turn and speaking in language unknown to the rest of the people. Women were talking and causing disruption in the church. Yet in the passage a woman is to speak up to her husband. We see many mix messages of proper society mixed with lifestyle in scripture and when taken out of context some woman opinion seems to have little value. Yet this one passage though woman are consider a weaker vessel, is allowed to speak back to her husband. To use her speech to be persuasive.

I do not doubt that most woman understand there time to be quiet and a time to speak out. Yet few ever think of men having that same law applied in their life. There time is better for men to be silent as well and ask their wife later, especially when there plenty of women around. Yet there time women and men have to speak together when working together.

Are woman really weaker vessel, if you ask women how easy is it to allow those eyes to tear up, one might think again on the emotional side of woman, perhaps being weaker, but many of strong woman would say they can make it on their own. It not about being stronger, or weaker. It about being a servant, not a slave but tending to the needs of one another. Dressing not like a harlot but person of purity in life style. Not flaunt the physical body, but dressing the heart with the things of God. Dressing the heart with Jesus. Husband giving respect to there wives that humble themselves before the Lord, not treat them like the world treats woman, but with purity given to a wife in the public eye. And behind bedroom doors loving her as only a husband can a wife and a wife her husband.

Respect of woman and the respect of speaking out just like anywhere there is time and place. If it all men’s meeting with few woman should woman speak, it depends, on the respect of woman in the group. There a time for woman to be bold and time for us to be silent. Yet if men are in a woman’s meeting there is a time for men to be silent and time for them to speak as well. Silence is not just to one gender, but it only example of how to conduct oneself. Even Sarah submitted to her husband, even when it almost got her in bed with a king. One has to ask what was Abraham thinking when he only told a half truth to Sarah identity and relationship to him. Yet God used it to testify to the king of the area. Why did Sarah not speak up herself, was it only out of survival to live. Why did she not tell Abraham to speak the truth. God had to speak about this union to the king that it was anointed by him for them to be husband and wife.

What defines a couple today and in society back then has not changed as much as we like to think, yet in some circumstance of foreign governments it was better for women to listen to their spouse and even in some societies because of customs.

Yet Sarah was adorn with spiritual faith. Her faith grew with conception of Isaac. Her faith grew with the hope of grandchildren. Her faith grew when the promise of God was fulfilled. Yet her faith was probably even more whole when the king gave her back to her husband and then gave her husbands gifts for his error. If Sarah spoke out what would have happened. Abraham perhaps would of died. King David killed Abigail’s husband because he did not show him any respect and Abigail gain David respect by providing for his physical needs of food and drink, despite her husband rudeness. Abigail could not save her husband life, but not all her people would die because of her one act of generosity to David.

Women speaking out with God’s timing and not man’s. Women dressing not has harlots but has women called by God. Dressing first the heart and then the outward appearance. Dressing to be part of society and yet dressed as woman of morality, being true and faithful in everyway to God and her husband. Husbands dressing first their hearts and in the way they respect others including themselves.

Dear Heavenly Father teach us the value of your dressing in our life being first and then outward dressing of stating whose child we are. May we be silent in certain circumstance and not afraid to speak out in others. Never giving up on speaking up and back to our husband’s to persuade them they are wrong. In Jesus precious name, Amen.