The Biblical Man/Husband/Father (Part 1): In order for any man to be a proper and successful man/husband/father the biblical command to love must be carried out by fulfilling three essential responsibilities: provide, protect, initiate. We will briefly discuss the first two of these.

Man’s Responsibility to Provide: Plenty of support from Scripture can be given to show that it is man’s primary task to provide the physical needs of his family. If we look at Genesis 2: 15-23 we see it is the man’s job to work the ground and provide food (See also: Gen. 3:16-17). In the New Testament, 1 Timothy 5:8 says that a man who doesn’t provide for and take care of his house is worse than an “infidel.” So the plain text of Scripture is clear, it is man’s responsibility to provide for his family.

On the other hand, there is a complete lack of biblical support for a woman to be the provider. Nowhere does Scripture encourage woman to be the sole source of income while the husband stays home to raise the kids. It is a man’s duty, one he must accept.

But it must be noted that our provision is not purely physical but spiritual as well. So as the husband/father we have an obligation to be providing for the spiritual needs of our families as well. To neglect either the physical or spiritual needs of our families is to fail.

Man’s Responsibility to Protect: The overwhelming amount of evidence for man’s responsibility to protect woman is undeniable. Scriptures such as Deuteronomy 20:7-7; 24:5, Joshua 1:14 and Jeremiah 50:37 make it clear that the Bible commands men to protect women. But this truth is written on the fabric of every man’s heart as well. If the inclination and responsibility to protect is not written on a man’s heart is would be a safe assumption that his masculinity is immature.

Practical ways to protect our families are often overlooked but still exist. For example, make sure everyone in the house (of appropriate age) knows how to properly use any weapons. Ignorance can be just as dangerous as irresponsibility. Men can also protect their families by avoiding foolish, reckless, and dangerous behavior. We are no good to our families if we are in the hospital, or putting financial stain on them by our foolishness.

This aspect of protection reaches into women in military combat. In Nahum 3:13 we read of the nation Israel being ridiculed and teased by her enemies for allowing women in combat. The pulse of protection that beats in a man’s heart resounds in this vein as well. It ought to violate every man’s conscience to think of a woman on the front lines in combat. To protect women means to protect them from bullets and bombs as well.

Why does the angel appear to Joseph to warn him of danger and tell him to flee to Egypt to protect his family (Matt. 2:13-14)? Why is a man commanded to love his wife and be willing to die for her (Eph. 5:25)? Very simply it is because men have the responsibility to protect women, and their families. It should be written on every man’s heart. If it’s not it is time for his masculinity to do some maturing.

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