What does it mean to be an excellent or virtuous wife? Is it possible to be a woman or wife of character today? We live in a world that is focused on selfishness. Social media is full of people taking selfies and posting actions of immorality. God tells us in his word that an excellent or virtuous wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. To be excellent or virtuous means to be extremely good or having high moral standards.
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. ESV
Proverbs 12:4
What are morals
A person's standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and is not acceptable for them to
do.
Qualities or Standards For an Excellent Wife:
A manager of the home (Proverbs 31)
Wise (Proverbs 14:1) (Proverbs 31:26)
Self - Controlled – (Titus 2:5)
Respectful (1 Peter 3: 1-6)
Submissive (Ephesian 5:22)
Obedient ( 1 Peter 3:6)
Teacher (Titus 2:4)
Giving ( Proverbs 31:20)
Worker (Proverbs 31:13)
Wives OF The Bible
Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is a great example of being an excellent wife. Her name was Sarai which means Princess, later God changed her name to Sarah, which means Mother of Nations. She was a submissive wife and withheld the truth for Abram when he asked her too. Abram was afraid of being killed by The Egyptian ruler because Sarai was so beautiful. Abram knew the Egyptian ruler would want to take her as his wife, so he instructed Sarai to say she was a family member…which was technically true but not totally. However, she went along with it.
Sarai had faults too, for example, she became impatient, God told her that she would have a child, but it didn't happen in her timing. Sarai took matters into her own hands and put another woman in Abraham's bed. Ishmael was born and then God brought Isaac. Because of the attention, Haggar was getting from having Ishmael, Sarah let jealousy get the best of her and sent both Ishmael and his mother Haggar to another land.
Even with all her flaws, Sarah had the desirable elements and qualities that God required in a wife. She met the standards by being obedient, submissive, and faithful not only to God but to her husband Abraham.
Ruth lost her first husband, although devastated, she did not leave her mother-in-law, Naomi. By staying with Naomi, she later became the subject of a very romantic love story.
Naomi and Ruth were left poor and traveled back to the land of Naomi's home. Naomi was too old to work the fields, so Ruth went out and gleaned the fields. Boaz, her future husband, noticed her. She had favor with him and was able to gather what she needed from the fields for her and Naomi. God honored Ruth for being a noblewoman of excellent character and blessed her.
While it was sad Ruth lost her first husband; God blessed Ruth with another man of power and financial gain that loved her dearly. Ruth was honorable, obedient, faithful, and a true Proverbs 31 woman. She demonstrated what it meant to be a hard worker, along with being faithful, obedient, and submissive.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31: 10-31
Rachael and Leah were sisters and married to the same man, Jacob. We mainly hear about Rachael, the woman Jacob was in love with. From the moment he saw her tending the sheep, he knew he wanted to marry her. Rachel's father, Laban tricked Jacob and had him marry the older sister, Leah first. Jacob waited seven years, working faithfully in his father-n-laws house so he could marry Rachael. But he had to settle for Leah, initially.
Leah was a faithful wife, obedient, honorable, and submissive. She bore Jacob many children while her sister Rachael could not.
Rachael asked God for a child, and he blessed her with two sons. Both these women had their faults, but they stood by their husband, Jacob as faithful women of God.
As you can see these women were not perfect. What they had in common and what makes them powerful women of God is the fact they were obedient and embraced the calling to be an excellent wife.
What stands out to you about these women or the Proverbs 31 woman?
Comment below.
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