Today’s Reading: Proverbs 17-20, 31
Instruct the wise, and they will be wiser.
Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. – Proverbs 9:9
This morning, as I again sit at the feet of wise King Solomon and share my morning coffee with the Lord, I find myself asking for wisdom – for insight and understanding. Solomon spoke in Proverbs of several different kinds of women. We studied his advice about the IMMORAL WOMAN, and maybe you could not relate to that. Let’s read on and allow the Spirit to expose the areas in which He wants to continue to work in us and in our marriage.
THE GOSSIP
King Solomon described the woman who loves to gossip, using her mouth to seduce the mind of others — to influence them to think negatively of others. She goes around telling secrets (11:13), planting seeds of strife, and separating the best of friends (16:28). So don’t hang around with these chatterers (20:19). Only wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip and liars pay special attention to this slander (17:4). A gossiping tongue causes anger (25:23) and ruins reputations, including that of the person gossiping (25:10). Listening to rumors allows them to sink deep into our heart (26:22).
Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. – Proverbs 26:20
THE QUARRELSOME SPOUSE
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. – Proverbs 21:19
I imagine no one desires to be this quarrelsome spouse, yet how many find that this is exactly who they have become. My heart desires to be an understanding wife, not one who uses words to gossip, quarrel or complain. It is good to listen closely to the wisdom of King Solomon as he describes the quarrelsome spouse:
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home (25:24)…A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day. Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold something with greased hands. – Proverbs 27:15-16
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. – Proverbs 21:23
THE UNDERSTANDING SPOUSE
Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. – Proverbs 19:14
The decision to marry another person is a commitment to be the encourager and emotional supporter of that person. A friendship should form that helps each spouse be all that God has created them to be. We learn what they need, speak words of affirmation after a long day, and become their biggest cheerleader in life. That is who I want to be – an understanding wife that my husband sees as a gift from the Lord. King Solomon ended his book of Proverbs with the description of just such a wife — the virtuous wife.
THE VIRTUOUS WIFE
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy…
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. – Proverbs 31:10-31
The most important relationship after our relationship with God should be the one with our spouse. We have made a commitment before God and family/friends to love them forever. Although Solomon focuses on the wife, there are still great truths for the husband to consider in the book of Proverbs. This morning, let’s renew our covenant to our spouse; let’s remember our vows and recommit to let God bless their lives through our marriage.