“10A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
”
It is easy to read this description of the wife of noble character and believe this is the goal; this impossible list tasks. But as the Proverb says, who can find this?
I have made the mistake in my marriage, as I am sure many of you have, of occasionally pointing out many of the things my wife has not done or does not thrive at. OK, maybe more than occasionally! It doesn’t usually go well. Maybe one day I will learn.
This Proverb is famous for all the wrong reasons. It has been used as a measuring stick, a job description, a sledge hammer!
A closer look at this Proverb however, finds these descriptors: her husband has full confidence in her, her children call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.
These statements are not attached to the works she has done. It does not say, because she is so productive and hardworking her husband has confidence in her and praises her. Her praise is not attached to the work she does inside and outside the home! Rather, it is attached to the one thing Proverbs has pointed out over and over throughout the entire 31 chapters; a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised!
I am incredibly blessed to be married to a woman who fears the Lord.
Here is my final observation and reflection on this month of seeking wisdom from the book of Proverbs. There has been so much in this book that provides practical guidance and insight but this last observation may be the most beneficial of them all for me.
The whole description of the wife of noble character is framed by two statements about her husband. It begins with, “her husband has full confidence in her” and concludes, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
The wisdom spoken here by King Lemuel is what his mother taught him: Honor your wife for the things she has done, (rather than pointing out what she has not done) and let those things bring her praise at the city gates. Let her know you have full confidence in her. And above all else, praise her because she fears the Lord.
These instructions in Proverbs 31 are not for my wife, they are for me!
Thank you for joining me on this month-long journey through the wisdom of the Proverbs. I trust you have been encouraged by them as much as I have. Have a great day today and let me encourage you to dine daily with the “Proverb of the day” each day; it is a never-ending feast of wisdom.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Any final thoughts to share from this journey? Please share with the rest of us the wisdom you have found this month. Share your thoughts below.