•Part 6
Ephesians 5:18-6:4
We ended last time looking at how those who hate God's design for women look down on those women who are biblical. They ridicule and mock them and try to make them feel as if they are a drag and an embarrassment on society. Let us turn to Proverbs 31. Let's start in verse 10, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." "Virtuous means strength, valor, and influence. A virtuous woman is strong, full of valor, and of a heavy influence. This is her character. "Valor means strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; intrepidity; prowess. This makes her very valuable. This makes her needed, wanted, and desired. This makes her worthy to be searched for, for when you find her you have found a priceless treasure. Verse 10, "For her price is far above rubies." A good word to put here would be priceless. When you have something that is priceless, it is never for sale and you guard it with prayer, power, and praise. "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD," Proverbs 18:22.
"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life," Proverbs 31:11-12. "Trust means to trust, be confident. It expresses the feeling of safety and security and is felt when someone can rely on someone or something else. The husband has peace of mind. This allows him to go to work and focus on providing for his home without having to worry about his wife spending all their money or her having an affair. Since he trusts her so much, with their family and their finances, she has freedom to keep the home.
"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar," Proverbs 31:13-14. She isn't lazy. She searches for the best for her family, and she looks for the best deals. She is frugal. She is economical in the use or appropriation of money, goods or provisions of any kind; money or of any thing else which is to be used or consumed; sparing; not profuse, prodigal or lavish. She is economical not only in dealing with money and goods, but also with her time. She wastes nothing, especially not her time. This means she is not wasting time on the sinnernet or watching meaningless movies or doing crossword puzzles. "She worketh" means to make, to accomplish, to complete. This conveys the central notion of performing an activity with a distinct purpose, a moral obligation, or a goal in view. She is not going through her day shooting from the hip. Each day is planned out in advance and is coordinated in such a way also. Things may happen to throw cogs in the wheel, but because she is a virtuous woman she is able to adjust without panic, therefore the family is not tossed to and fro. This means the children are growing up in a stable and secure home. This means when the husband comes home from work the clothes and the dishes aren't piled up and the kids haven't destroyed the house and the wife isn't sitting on the couch with her lips pouched out. The well-being of her family is her 2nd priority therefore she is focused on doing for them. She is not selfish and puts her needs last.
"She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar," Proverbs 31:14. As a ship travels with a distinct purpose, she also provides for her home with a distinct purpose and a well-planned out course.
Verse 15 speaks volumes about her virtue. "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens," Proverbs 31:15. Let's take verse 15 and 18 together. Her candle goeth not out by night. These candles would hold enough oil to burn for 5 or 6 hours. They would fill it up with oil before they went to bed, but notice that her candle goeth not out by night. This means she would be up before the candle burned out of oil. She didn't get up and fill the lamp and get back in the bed: look at verse 15- and giveth meat to her household. She begins to prepare sustenance for her household early. "Portion" means task.
She isn't doing all the work, but she delegates it out to others. By the time her husband gets up from prayer the food is ready, he eats and goes to work, happy. He hates to leave and can't wait to get back.
This wife isn't doing this as a slave, but because she loves her husband and her family. She is putting the needs of others before her own. She is willing to sacrifice herself to provide for those of her household. Sounds like Christ doesn't it?
Look at these verses: Verse 16- she is profitable and has a good business mind and because she is virtuous her husband has given her the authority to make these kind of decisions. Verse 17- she has stability and is making wise investments in her family for the future. Verse 18- she sees and tastes the fruit of her work. Verse 19- she isn't lazy and takes part in the work. Verse 20- she helps those who are truly in need. Verse 21- she isn't concerned with the weather because she knows her family is well taken care of. They will not suffer because of the cold. Verse 22- her home is not plain and boring, it is a desired place to be. The clothing she has for her and her family is the best. Remember that she didn't spend a fortune on it but bought the best at the best price. When others saw her family they didn't think they were rich, but they understood there was someone with wisdom and a drive taking care of that family. Verse 23- Everyone knows who her husband is and everyone knows who she is. She isn't seeking her own glory, but because of her love towards God and her family she is exalted. Verse 24- again, she works from the home to help provide for the home. Verse 25- she shall rejoice in time to come, and so shall her family in verse 28. Verse 26- she isn't cussing or throwing a fit, she isn't an open complainer, when she speaks others listen. Her words sooth and comforts and always gives wisdom. Verse 27- bread of idleness- moldy bread with no sustenance. Verse 29- She is exalted. Verse 30- this lady is praised. Verse 31- If you were given the fruit of your hands, what would you get? Only certain men sat in the gate, which means her husband sat there and one day her sons would sit there. The investments she made in her family would praise her for generations to come. She would be an exalted woman. What a wife. What a need.
This woman wasn't known for climbing the corporate ladder, but she was praised for loving and taking care of her family. A Biblical wife is not boring, but is very exciting and challenging, and very rewarding. Ladies it is worth it. How sad is it to look back at your life and see the plaques all around you, covered with dust. Not speaking to you, not checking on you, not providing for you when you are old, and not loving you back. You loved those accomplishments, but they don't love you back. You can hold and hug them, but they don't hold and hug you back. In a sense, they are like idols. Invest in your family. Submit to your husband, be a Biblical wife. Most of all be thankful that the Lord has saved your soul, and given you the opportunity to live for Him. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
