The marriage constitution

Yesterday and today Maina wa Kageni and Mwalimu Kingangi were talking about constitutions. Apparently there is a man in Nyeri who wrote a constitution for his family. Our hosts therefore wanted both the male and female views so that we could draft a constitution for marriage and relationships.

Let's draft some thing shall we?

My Human Opinion

In some way or another there is a constitution for every form of relationship, be it husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, teachers and students, boss and non-bosses, master and slaves, God Almighty and humans etc. Whether the constitution is spelt out on paper is another story. But it's there.

So, who should write the constitution? Methinks the originator or initiator of the relationship should write the constitution.

Normally, (and underline normally) it's a man who proposes marriage to a woman. Therefore, it's only fair that he should be the one to draft a 'constitution' for the marriage. The draft should then undergo a referendum between him, his wife and God. Yes, God. That's what most people forget. You need a 'third wheel' to break the stalemates and contentious clauses that arise.

If the woman initiated the relationship—it goes without saying.

In the same way since it's the parents who 'originated' the children, it should be the parents who 'write' a constitution. And since God created us, He did the right thing and wrote a 66 book constitution for us to follow. For example, see how God spelt out the terms and conditions when He called Abraham (then Abram) in Genesis 12:1-3

 ¹ The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
 ² "I will make you into a great nation
       and I will bless you;
       I will make your name great,
       and you will be a blessing.
 ³ I will bless those who bless you,
       and whoever curses you I will curse;
       and all peoples on earth
       will be blessed through you."

Let's draft a Biblical constitution.

My Biblical Opinion

The Bible is God's constitution for all our relationships, both vertical (between us and Him) and horizontal (between us and other people).

The Proposed Constitution of Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Doe - Inherited from the Holy Bible

Preamble

We the members of this marriage—

Acknowledging the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creations. Exodus 20:1-5
Honouring those who heroically struggled to raise and prepare us. Exodus 20:12
Proud of our different ethnic or cultural or social or point-of-view differences but willing to live in peace and unity as one indivisible unit. Matthew 19:4-6
Recognizing that we are equal partners before each other and God. Acts10:34-35
Committed to nurturing, loving, protecting, teaching and providing for the members of this marriage.
Adopt, Enact this constitution to ourselves and to our future generations.

Chapter One: Husband

I, John Doe

1. Will love and cherish Jane Doe as Christ loved the Church. Ephesians 5:25
2. In applying Article (1), will give up my life, my wants, my needs, my comfort for the sake of Jane Doe as Christ gave Himself up for the Church. John 15:13
3. Will be the leader of the home. The High Priest, the spiritual and physical leader. Ephesians 5
4. Will provide for this household and also for leave something small for our relatives. 1 Timothy 5:8
5. Will discipline children with love, with Jane Doe's help off course. Ephesians 6:4
6. Will keep my eyes on Jane Doe and Jane Doe only. Job 31:1, Proverbs 5:15-20
7. Will make an effort to see Jane Doe's point of view. Genesis 21:12  
8. Will not deprive Jane Doe, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5
9. Accepts that the absence of any other rule(s) in this chapter does not limit the application of any other rule(s)
   

Chapter Two: Wife

I, Jane Doe

1. Will submit to John Doe's authority from my heart and allow him to lead. 1 Peter 3: 1-3, Ephesians 5:22-24
2. Will work hard to build our home. Proverbs 14:1
3. Will not nag John Doe, for his own sake. Proverbs 21:19
4. Will not accept 'side' glances from strangers. Ezekiel 16:32
5. Will nurture inner beauty and grow into a Godly woman under John Doe's pastor-ship. Proverbs 31, 1 Peter 3:3-6
6. Despite Article (5), will still dress up and look beautiful for John Doe. Songs of Solomon 4:9-11
7. Will not deprive John Doe, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Chapter Three:Amendments

1. An amendment to this constitution may be proposed by either party in the form of a suggestion or a formulated draft Bill.
2. Any amendment shall not be against the parent constitution, the Bible

Chapter Four:General Provisions

1. Any contentious clause or amendment shall be presented in prayer to God
2. This constitution shall be interpreted in a manner that promotes its purpose, values and principles.

Who is willing, and able to vote YES for our proposed marriage constitution? Only God knows.

See you tomorrow.