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

Femininity and Equality

Some thoughts on femininity and roles from some searches in my bible (NKJV) after some recent discussions on the matter.

Femininity- The nature of a Woman

"Femininity is a reality of God's design and making- His precious gift to every woman- and in a very different way, His gracious gift to men as well. The difference between men and women is not a mere matter of biology. Throughout the millennia of human history, up until the past several decades, people took for granted that the differences were so obvious as to need no comment. Yet never as now have we more needed Paul's reminder to the Roman Christians not to let the world squeeze us into its own mold but to let God re-mold our minds from within (Rom. 12:2)."

"Surrender is a key ingredient in femininity. As a bride, a woman in marriage surrenders her independence, her name, her destiny, her will, and ultimately her body to the bridegroom. As a mother, she surrenders in a very real sense her life for the life of the child. As a single woman, she surrenders herself in a unique way for service to her Lord and for service to family and community."

"Femininity receives. It takes what God gives. In other words, women are to receive the given as Mary did (Luke 1:38), not to insist on the not-given, as Eve did (Gen 3:1-6). This does not imply that a woman should surrender to evils such as coercion or violent conquest."

"The gentle and quiet spirit of which Peter speaks is the ornament of femininity (1 Pet 3:4), which found its epitome in Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was willing to be a vessel, hidden, unknown, expect as Somebody's mother. This maternity is available to every woman who humbles herself before the Lord, not simply as a biological role but as an attitude of selflessness in her own heart and submission to the Lord."

"The challenge of biblical femininity for you is to be a woman, holy through and through, asking for nothing but what God want to give you, receiving with both hands and with all your heart whatever that is. Femininity is a precious treasure to be guarded and nourished each and every day."

Biblical Equality: Distinct but Complementary Roles

"Male and female were created as equal and complementary expressions of the image of God. Both bear His image fully, though in different ways. Their distinct roles in relationship to each other provide a picture of who God is and how He relates to His people.

Christ Jesus is equal with God the Father, yet submissive and responsive to Him (Phil 2:6-8). God the Father loves the Son and exalts Him. The pattern is repeated in the relationship between Christ and the church. Christ provides loving, servant leadership; the church responds with respect and submission as Christ's 'Bride' (Eph. 5:22-33). Another counterpart to the picture is the relationship between church leaders and local bodies of believers (Heb 13:7, 17).

Sin has distorted the relationship between man and woman at every level, but believers are called to relate according to the Creator's plan instituted in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the world (Gen 2:15-25). This plan is marked by a holy reciprocity in which the husband's love awakens a responsive submission from the wife just as a wife's respect and appreciation draws from her husband leadership and love.

In Christ, distinctions of rank or sex are removed; yet throughout the New Testament, social and sexual distinctions are clearly seen in the family, the state, and the church. The equality of believers Christ reflects a oneness of relationship, not a sameness of function.

Each individual stands before God created in His image, yet, at the same time, a sinner in need of salvation (Gen. 1:27; Rom. 3:23). Therefore, each person has at the same time both an infinite equality of worth before God and in the midst of others and a total equality of need for Jesus Christ as Savior. Yet out of this same "lump of clay" called humanity, the Creator has chosen to make vessels of various kinds and for various purposes according to his will (Is. 29:16; Rom. 9:19-21). Therefore, in contrast to the world's view, biblical equality recognizes the equality of all people before God but also recognize God's right to assign people different functions and roles (Ezek. 33:17).

A woman's rewards are not based upon her role in the kingdom but upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the assignment God gives. Fully equal before God, women and men enjoy the same free grace, are called to the same obedience, and are capable of receiving the same spiritual gifts and blessings. Yet woman is not man, and man is not woman. They are equal in worth and person-hood as the creation of God but remain functionally different in the role assignments each is to fulfill."

Obedience

Thoughts from May 14th devotional:

On that very day Abraham [did]... as God told him. (Gen 17:23)

"Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for delayed obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing."

"Martin Luther once said, 'A true believer will crucify, or put to death, the question, 'Why?' He will simply obey without questioning.' And I refuse to be one of those people who 'unless... [I] see miraculous signs and wonders... will never believe" (John 4:48). I will obey without questioning."

"Ours not to make reply,

Ours not to reason why,

Ours but to do and die."

"Obedience is the fruit of faith; patience is the early blossom on the tree of faith." Christina Rossetti

Tough Faith

Thoughts from Streams in the Desert May 1st:

Faith is not conjuring up, through an act of your will, a sense of certainty that something is going to happen. No, it is recognizing God's promise as an actual fact, believing it is true, rejoicing in the knowledge of that truth, and then simply resting because God said it. A promise is contingent upon our cooperation. People often pray for more faith, but what they are wanting is their faith to be changed to sight.

"Faith does not say, 'I see this is good for me; therefore God must have sent it.' Instead, faith declares, 'God sent it; therefore it must be good for me.' Faith, when walking through the dark with God, only asks Him to hold His hand more tightly. Phillips Brooks

The Shepherd does not ask of thee

Faith in your faith, but only faith in Him;

And this He meant in saying, "Come to me."

In light or darkness seek to do His will,

And leave the work of faith to Jesus still.

Such amazing words of encouragement and inspiration!

More thoughts on the subject:

"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith." Hab 2:4 NKJV

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7 NKJV

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1 NKJV

Faith or faithfulness (Gk. pistis) is defined by two words: "substance" (Gk. hupostasis, lit. "that which stands under") and "evidence" (Gk. elenchos, lit. "proof"). Faith then is the foundation for the Christian life and the means by which all unseen things are tested. "Faith" is the nominal form of the verb "to believe" (Gk. pisteuein). Faith, therefore, means trust or confidence in what God has promised, resulting in a life of faithfulness and perseverance. Faith is the only essential response to the grace of God (v.6). Justification is the result of that faith.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Heb 11:6 NKJV

Similar thoughts on the subject from my memory verses:

"Jesus said... 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23 NKJV

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24 NKJV