MALE AND FEMALE HE CREATED THEM! One of the most recurring messages the Lord has laid on my heart this year (2023) is that He wants better working relationships between men and women.
Don't get me wrong, I love female empowerment that is Biblically based. I love male empowerment that is Biblically based. But are we in danger of polarising men and women in the church? Are we overemphasising individual roles without tying it into God's picture of them working together? Are we shouting for Deborah's to arise, forgetting that her arising led to Barack and the men of war also arising?
This also applies in the place of marriage. The Lord has been speaking to me about purposeful marriages. I know we speak a lot about finding ‘Boaz’ but He recently highlighted Aquila and Priscilla's marriage to me. The Bible does not give us much insight into their marriage but from what we read about them, you can tell that in today's world, they would be seen as a Christian/Kingdom power couple.
(Bible references: Acts 18:2-3, Acts 18-19, Acts 26, Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19.)
They are a couple that stayed true to God in the midst of persecution, they had a church in their home (1 Cor 16:19), they had great insight into scripture yet were humble as we see them take Apollos to the side in Acts 18 where they explained the Way of God to him more accurately. They did not berate him or belittle his revelation and did not publicly shame him. This couple were also business partners, as the Bible records they were tentmakers. They made money together (Acts 18:3).
Apostle Paul also refers to them as his co-labourers in Christ, who risked their lives for him, expressing how grateful both him and the churches of the Gentiles are for them (1 Corinthians 16:9-10). Please note, they were Jews so they were also multicultural in their approach to ministry.
One of the things I love is the fact that it wasn't just the husband, Aquila, but the both of them: the male and female.
In fact, some Bible scholars point out that in scripture, whenever the couple is referenced, Priscilla, the wife, is mentioned first. This was unconventional for the time they lived in where the husband's name is mentioned first. To some this suggests that she took a leading role in ministry. She wasn't just mentioned because she happened to be the Pastor's wife. She was also active in ministry.
Either way, I am here for the dynamic duo that is Aquila and Priscilla. Sorry, Priscilla and Aquila!
Of course, when it comes to marriage, Christ is our standard, but Priscilla and Aquila are definitely examples showing us it is possible for that standard to be met.
Do you have any modern day examples of a marriage that reminds you of Priscilla and Aquila? I do! My biological big brother Ade, and his wife, Busola Adefala, pioneers of Spirit Led Worshipers. You can check them out on social media. They love each other for real, partner together to birth and steward the wonderful vision and both find expression of their call through the vision. They also counsel couples and help heal and build healthy marriages.
I mention them because I know them personally. Here you see Ade leading worship through singing, while his wife worships God through flagging. Same God, different, but complementary, expressions. How beautiful.
And there are many more in the Body of Christ. Here are a few names of couples I see from afar and some that are not too far: Apostle Lawrence and Rev Fola Achudeme, Sarah Jakes Roberts and Toure Roberts, Susan Deborahs and Ayo Oduniyi, Dr Oscar and Triumph Guobadia, to name a few. I'm sure there are lots more but those are who come to mind right now. Please feel free to introduce me to others!
One of the reasons why the enemy targets godly marriages is that he is threatened by the potential impact of the union. Unity is an important factor for effectiveness and productivity. Where there is unity, the anointing flows and God commands His blessings. I pray that God will restore unity and aligned purposes back to marriages so we can fulfil God's mandate.
Don't get me wrong there are others in scripture whose wives were not mentioned. For example, Peter's mother in law was mentioned which implies he had a wife but she was not mentioned as being active in forefront ministry.
However, I believe as the days are evil and the coming of the Lord is drawing near, God is activating His sons and daughters and calling them to put their hand to the plough. Strategic unions will be formed that will show God's original mandate where He blessed them (male and female) that they should be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion.
Husbands that will not be threatened by their wives rising; wives that will not compete for their husband's positions or headship but will complement each other and make godly impact advancing the kingdom of god.