Stop the Violence!

I wish I could say that our homes are becoming more loving places where peace reigned. In the time it takes you to read this blog at least three women will have been attacked by an intimate partner; in the coming year about1.3 million women in the United States will be abused by someone they are intimate with. Yet the issue of domestic violence is not new to the 21^st Century. Many scholars of the Bible believe that these words written over 3, 000 years ago by the Psalmist addressed the domestic violence prevalent in his community:

My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.

His talk is smooth as butter, 
yet war is in his heart;


his words are more soothing than oil,
yet they are drawn swords. – Psalm 55:20-21 

Marital abuse is a violation of the marriage covenant. No one stands before a minister or a justice of the peace declaring their love to the other agreeing to be abused. No marriage covenant contains permission to abuse. Notice that the psalmist addresses not just physical violence but also verbal and emotional violence.

If you are in a relationship where violence is occurring, please get help. Here is a national website that will direct you to services in your community: http://www.ncadv.org/ - Ron Friesen