PROVERBS 31: 10-29...
10/ When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11/ Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12/ She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13/ She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14/ Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15/ She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16/ She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17/ She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18/ She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19/ She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20/ She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21/ She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22/ She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23/ Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
24/ She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25/ She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
26/ She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27/ She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.
28/ Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29/ "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."
This is the description of a virtuous woman of those days, but the general outlines equally suit every age and nation. She is very careful to recommend herself to her husband's esteem and affection, to know his mind, and is willing that he rule over her.
1. She can be trusted, and he will leave such a wife to manage for him. He is happy in her. And she makes it her constant business to do him good.
2. She is one that takes pains in her duties, and takes pleasure in them. She is careful to fill up time, that none be lost. She rises early. She applies herself to the business proper for her, to women's business. She does what she does, with all her power, and trifles not.
3. She makes what she does turn to good account by prudent management. Many undo themselves by buying, without considering whether they can afford it. She provides well for her house. She lays up for hereafter.
4. She looks well to the ways of her household, that she may oblige all to do their duty to God and one another, as well as to her.
5. She is intent upon giving as upon getting, and does it freely and cheerfully.
6. She is discreet and obliging; every word she says, shows she governs herself by the rules of wisdom. She not only takes prudent measures herself, but gives prudent advice to others. The law of love and kindness is written in the heart, and shows itself in the tongue. Her heart is full of another world, even when her hands are most busy about this world.
7. Above all, she fears the Lord. Beauty recommends none to God, nor is it any proof of wisdom and goodness, but it has deceived many a man who made his choice of a wife by it. But the fear of God reigning in the heart, is the beauty of the soul; it lasts for ever.
8. She has firmness to bear up under crosses and disappointments. She shall reflect with comfort when she comes to be old, that she was not idle or useless when young. She shall rejoice in a world to come. She is a great blessing to her relations. If the fruit be good, the tree must have our good word. But she leaves it to her own works to praise her.
Every one ought to desire this honour that cometh from God; and according to this standard we all ought to regulate our judgments. This description let all women daily study, who desire to be truly beloved and respected, useful and honourable. This passage is to be applied to individuals, but may it not also be applied to the church of God, which is described as a virtuous spouse? God by his grace has formed from among sinful men a church of true believers, to possess all the excellences here described.
No comments:
Post a Comment