Submission

Submission is an attitude of the will. Bringing our lives into submission to God's will in everything is the key to being a godly woman (Phil 2:8-11). The gospel needs to be at the center of our thoughts and deeds every day. I's an ongoing, daily choosing of God's ways over our own ways (James 4:7-10 Heb12:9). We must discipline ourselves to submit to God's will-to live as our husbands' helpers (Genesis 2:18), submitting to and respecting their position (Eph. 5:22-24), and developing a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet 3:1).

Husbands

In comparison to the woman of strength found in Proverbs 31 is the man of integrity in Job 31. These parallel passages present challenging patterns and examples for godly characters and lifestyle.

A Man of Integrity:

Stands in God's presence (Job 31:4)

Exemplifies integrity (Job 31: 5,6)

Commits to personal purity (Job 31: 7-12)

Reflects justice in all dealings (Job 31: 13-15)

Gives generously to others (Job 31:6-20)

Shows compassion to all (Job 31:21-22)

Gets godly priorities in life (Job 31:23-35)

Lives out faith in God (Job 31: 26-28)

Forgives others (Job 31:29-30)

Opens home to the needy (Job 31:31-32)

Walks with the Lord (Job 31:33-37)

Seeks to do right (Job 31:38-40)

Study notes:

Job 31:1-40: Job was desperate to proclaim his own righteousness. He invoked four curses to com upon himself if he was not found innocent (vv. 8, 10, 22, 40). In so doing, his blameless stand before God was all the more bold (v. 35-37).

Job 31:1: Job was careful not to let lust have a chance by covenanting with his eyes to remain blameless (James 1:14-15). People fall into sin when they allow their desire to sin to be conceived and grow.

Job 31: 9-10: The sin of adultery, which involved a relationship with another man's wife, was serious because of its damage to the family. This curse is particularly humiliating and heinous. Adultery is described as a fire because of the destructiveness of illicit sexual passion (v.12). For the wife to suffer because of her husband'd adultery- a sin committed against her- is entirely comprehensible because of the nature of the family. Certainly this would explain partially Job's determination to avoid adultery.

Husbands: treated as a gift

During times of vulnerability, a man desperately needs an understanding helper (Heb. ezer, Gen 2:18). He needs acceptance (treat him as if he is already the person God desires him to be), appreciation (to recognize worth, to hold in high regard or to respect, Eph. 5:33), admiration (Eph. 5:33) and affirmation (speak kind words, Prov. 31:26, and assure him of her love and fidelity, Prov. 31: 11, 12). A godly husband is going to show respect for his wife in the way he treats her. This begins with his thought life (Prov. 23:7) and moves to his lifestyle (1 Pet. 3:7) and communication (Eph. 4:29). Because women are responders, they generally will respond to efforts or lack of efforts from their husbands. This reciprocity is part of the mystery of God's design for relationships.

Masculinity: the nature of a man

God has gifted men with great capacities for responsible leadership. THis can be channeled positively into the church and all walks of life through teaching, leading by moral example, and supporting righteous causes (1 Tim 2:8). Masculine power when sanctified can be used in a positive way, such as in the lives of great men through whom GOd provides leadership. Abraham showed us the trait of "adventure" with God by taking steps of faith where no man had gone (Gen. 12-18). We see vision in Moses (Exodus) and faithfulness in Joshua, even when he was in the minority (Deut. 31:6-8) David showed courage to fight against incredible odds (1 Sam. 17), and Nehemiah had initiative as a builder, organizing men to rebuild a wall and a city (Neh. 1-8). By contrast, men like Nebuchadnezzar used their power for destruction and cruelty in war (2 Kin. 24:10-17).

How wonderful that God balances this image of dominant masculine strength and power with the example of the Lord Jesus who was moved by compassion (Matt. 20:34), loved little children (Mark 10:14), cried at the death of His friend (John 11:35) and gave His life so that others might live (John 3:16). The "man of integrity (Job 31) finds a parallel in the "women of strength" (Prov. 31:10-31).

Women's Study Bible, NKJV, 2nd ed.

The Virtuous Wife of Proverbs and some thoughts on Holiness

Proverbs 31:10-31

31:10-12: "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life." (NKJV)

A virtuous woman (lit. "a woman of strength") is trustworthy and would never do anything to bring dishonor to her husband's name. "All the days of her life" indicates her "forever" commitment to her husband.

Many outstanding women appear throughout the Bible, but the virtuous wife of Proverbs merits special praise (Prov. 31:29). The passage describes what kind of wife a woman should be and what kind of woman a man should choose to marry. An acrostic poem, each of the 22 verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet, encouraging the memorization of this literary masterpiece. We are told not who she was but what she was. This woman of strength comes alive.

This rare woman was a paragon of virtue: trustworthy, industrious, organized, and loving. Yet amazingly she was able to order the priorities of her world. Her husband totally trusted her (v.11); her grown children voluntarily praised her (v.28), and her home was a model of efficiency (v.15-16; 24; 27). She still found time to reach out to her community (v.15), to help the poor (v.20), and even to increase her family's resources through wise investments and productive management of all placed in her care (v. 13-22; 24; 27). Moreover, she was as outwardly beautiful as she was inwardly wise (v. 25-26; 30).

The portrait of the virtuous wife closes the key to her success (v. 30). Illustrating the theme of wisdom found throughout Proverbs, this woman first feared and reverenced God. Therefore, relationships and responsibility were wisely balanced. She exemplifies the truth spoken by Jesus Christ, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). A close look at this woman can prove invaluable in helping every woman set her own priorities in managing time, resources, and giftedness God has given.

31:28-29: This description of the wise woman of strength ends with the testimony of those who knew her best: her husband and her children. Her children blessed her for their early training. Her husband praised her for her excellence among women. The praise from family was the most meaningful because they were the ones who had observed her in every situation and truly knew her character. Such praise should encourage every woman to follow in the steps and acquire wisdom as did this extraordinary woman.

Titus 2:3-5: "... the older woman likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderer, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." (NKJV)

"Admonish" (Gk. lit. "to cause to be of sound mind") suggests training that would develop sound judgment and wisdom. The relationship between the women is not formal and structured but a nurturing, spiritual mothering. The goal of the older woman/younger woman relationship is compelling- that God's Word would not be dishonored. The behavior of Christian women plays an important part in the honor that the world gives to God's Word.

1 Pet 1:15-16: "... but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy for I am holy" (NKJV)

see also:

Lev. 11:44-45:

"For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy." (NKJV)

Lev. 19:2:

"Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." (NKJV)

Lev. 20:7:

"Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God." (NKJV)

"[God] certainly did not create women to conform to the wrong concept... or the backwards concept Hollywood pushes or any negative concept you might have of holiness. The behavior that 'becomes holiness' is an inner quality of consecration to God that cannot help but produce an outer beauty. The most beautiful women I've known have been those who walk in the deepest holiness" (Smith, 43).

"A woman 'whose behavior becomes holiness'- or reflects holiness- is a vibrant woman because she is continually filled to overflowing with the living water. When you meet a woman who is overflowing with the living water that Christ gives, you'll see a woman who was changed and transformed like the woman at the well (John 4)". "The woman whose behavior reflects holiness is a radiant woman because she's infused with the light of Jesus Christ". "The holy woman is peaceful because she has her mind stayed on Jesus. 'You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You' (Is. 26:3). She's unflustered because she trusts God". "They holy woman is joyful. Since she walks in obedience, she doesn't have a lot of guilt to disturb her emotions. Sin is a joy robber". "But for the woman who walks in obedience, nothing can rob her of joy" (Smith, 44).

"The holy woman is fruitful because she abides in Christ. John 15:5 says, 'If we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we will bear much fruit". "The holy woman is satisfied because she hungers and thirsts after righteousness- and Jesus promised those who do this will be blessed and fulfilled". "The holy woman is loving because she walks in prayerful communion with Jesus. She's not filled with bitterness, unforgiveness, malice, or wrath. Instead, her words are peaceful, gentle and loving" (Smith, 45).

Proverbs 4:18: "The path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day" (NKJV).

The Woman's Study Bible NKJV

Reflecting God by Kay Smith, 2009.

God's plan for marriage

To continue some thoughts...

Marriage: God's plan for marriage

God's plan for marriage is introduced in Genesis (Gen. 2:24) and repeated in the Gospels (Matt. 19:5) and in the Epistles (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19; 1 Pet. 3:1-8). Marriage was perfect in its establishment: one man and one woman in a lifetime commitment.

God never intended for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). The very bone from which woman was crafted came from man (Gen. 2:23). Woman was taken out of man, then presented to man in order to complete him. God created the man and the woman in His image (Gen 1:26-27) with physical and emotional needs that only the other could meet (Gen 2:18).

No parents were in Eden, but God's plan extended to the future with His formula for oneness in marriage. The partners are to "leave" their parents and "be joined" (KJV "cleave") in order to become one (Gen. 2:24). They are to be willing to lay aside all that pertains to their old loyalties and lifestyles of separate goals and plans and be joined to one another. This "joining" refers to a strong, enduring bond- making one unit bound together by unconditional commitment, love, and acceptance- resulting in a combined unit much stronger than either individual had been separately (Ecc. 4:9-12).

No other human relationship is to supersede the bond between husband and wife. Marriage is a covenant commitment- a vow made to God and the partner, not only to love but also to be faithful and to endure in this lifelong exclusive relationship (Matt. 19:6).

Marriage is a threefold miracle. It is a biological miracle by which two people actually become one flesh; it is a social miracle through which two families are grafted together; it is a spiritual miracle in that the marriage relationship pictures the union of Christ and His bride, the church (Eph. 5:23-27). God clearly intended transparency and openness as part of His plan for the marriage relationship- vulnerability without shame (Gen 2:25).

NKJV

Have no worry

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want" (Ps. 23:1)

"Be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Heb. 13:5-6)

"There's a stream of trouble across my path;

It is dark and deep and wide.

Bitter the hour the future hath

When I cross its swelling tide.

But I smile and sing and say:

'I will hope and trust alway;

I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,

But I'll borrow none today."

"Tomorrow's bridge is a dangerous thing;

I dare not cross it now.

I can see its timbers sway and swing,

And its arches reel and bow.

O heart, you must ope alway;

You must sing and trust and say:

'I'll bear the sorrow that comes tomorrow,

But I'll borrow none today."

"The eagle that soars at great altitudes does not worry about how it will cross a river."

Despair

More thoughts from Streams in the Desert

"He said, 'This is the resting place, let the weary rest'; and, 'This is the place of repose'- but they would not listen." (Isaiah 28:12)

Do you think all the commotion and the uproar of this life is evidence that God has left His throne? He has not! His mighty steeds rush furiously ahead, and His chariots are the storms themselves. But the horses have bridles, and it is God who holds the reins, guiding the chariots as He wills!

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;

The storms are raging on God's deep-

God's deep, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep;

God's hands will still the Tempter's sweep-

God's hands, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep'

God's love is strong while night hours creep-

God's love, not yours; be still and sleep.

Tonight, my soul, be still and sleep'

God's heaven will comfort whose who weep-

God's heaven, not yours; be still and sleep.

I implore you to not give in to despair. It is a dangerous temptation, because our Adversary has refined it to the point that it is quite subtle. Hopelessness constricts and withers the heart, rendering it unable to sense God's blessings and grace. It also cause you to exaggerate the adversities of life and makes your burdens seem too heavy for you to bear. Yet God's plans for you, and His ways of bringing about His plans, are infinitely wise. Madame Guyon