I enjoy going camping and roughing it in the woods. But the mental image described in this verse of living on the roof top is almost preposterous. Where would you cook? Or take a bath? And I am sure, changing into pajamas would be quite a challenge on a sloping roof. It just doesn't make sense, does it?
Neither does quarreling with your spouse. Neither one invokes comfort or something you look forward to coming home to after a long day at work. I took the liberty of educating myself from the bible dictionary of the definition of brawling: a quarrelsome manner or to dispute violently or loud and aggressively.
While disagreements are expected between two people, brawls or quarrels are not. They do not resolve the situation, but simply increase the anger and frustration experienced by both sides. And violent arguments set a perfect example to our children on how not to behave! As Solomon points out, no house is big enough for the two of you when you are angry with one another!
Paul provides us admonitions on Christian living in Colossians 3:12-25 with special guidance to spouses in verses 18 and 19. Paul describes this love by the husband similar to that of Jesus loving the church. If we are Christians and we strive to follow his Word, it is difficult for a disagreement to erupt into a quarrel! Look closely at Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Nothing my wife could ever do can compare to the magnitude of sins that Jesus forgave me. How can I not forgive the disagreements over the color of a new sofa, dinner guest lists or finances? They pale in comparison to the forgiveness that Christ has shown for me.
If you are tempted to elevate your disagreement to a full-blown WWF event, pause and think what are the results of your efforts? I do not desire to sleep on the roof! Instead, sincerely say three little words that will guarantee you will sleep in the bed and not on the roof: "I forgive you"
