Wall? Or Door? A Revisit

Four years ago I was teaching a junior high Sunday school class. When my Beloved Husband became ill, I could no longer fulfill the obligations of teaching, and I miss that. We were studying purity – a very good subject for young ladies. There are plenty of biblical lessons on the subject, and this is one we presented to them:

In the Song of Solomon, brothers speak of their little sister and of her purity. She has a choice to make – is she a wall, or a door?

If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. (Song of Solomon 8:9-10 KJV)

Will her purity and honor be maintained behind a protective wall? Or will she be a door, open to dishonor?

That’s been a question long before Solomon, and remains a question today. As a teacher of Junior High Sunday School girls, it is very important to me that they understand their decision will affect the remainder of their lives.

The society we live in accepts rape. You don’t believe me? Just read Whoopi Goldberg’s response to Roman Polanksi’s re-arrest in 2009: “It’s not rape rape,” she said.

The society we live in accepts abortion. No question on that one. The ethical debate of Roe v Wade continues, with pro-life making gains in 2009 to become even with pro-abortion in polls.

The society we live in holds no respect for a virtuous woman, though many can be found – just don’t look for them on the front of celebrity magazines.

There were three weddings 2009/10 – one in New Jersey, one in Mississippi and one in Oklahoma – for young men who grew up in our church and dedicated their life to God’s work. One young man served as a youth pastor then a Marine, another is a pastor and the third is a youth pastor. They have waited for and have found their virtuous wife.

A few years ago one of our Sunday assignments for the girls was to write a letter to their future husband. In it, they were to tell him what they expected of him – and tell him what they were doing to prepare themselves for him. We wanted them to know that the covenant between a husband, wife and God is to last a lifetime. My task was to help prepare these young women for their life long marriage, and I take it very seriously:

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5 KJV)

The Bible gives them excellent images to work toward these goals, and it gives open examples of what happens when people fall short. Life is full of both, but the choices are made individually.

Paul gives excellent advice:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)

Look for one who not only respects your beliefs, but believes them:

 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: (Romans 15:5 KJV)

Now my question to young ladies who care is – will you be a wall? Or a door?