12/16/2022 – Day 292 – Proverbs 31 / The Proverbs epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
Wow, this concludes 21 consecutive Fridays of a read and prayer through the Book of Proverbs. We had a post last cycle for day 292 dated 11/27/2021. But prior to that, I had a personal post on 03/05/21. I will repeat it here:
31:10: “Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.”
Well, I would emphatically reply: “No man except by the love and grace of God!” And since I am so blessed, what does that mean? Well, once again that naturally takes me back to one of my favorite bible verses, a personal challenge I am constantly revisiting: “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
Ok, here is a great question and objections note on this verse in my Evidence Bible:
Premise: “Christianity oppresses women by making them submit to their husbands?” True or false?
Here is the answer presented:
“The Bible does say, ‘Wives submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord,’ but it also instructs , ‘Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her’ (Ephesians 5: 22 – 32). (*personal memory below) A man who understands that Jesus Christ sacrificed His life’s blood for the Church will likewise love his wife sacrificially and passionately. He will honor her, respect her, protect, love, and cherish her as much as he does his own body, as he is instructed to do (Ephesians 5:28) He will never say or do anything to harm or demean her. It is in this atmosphere of love and security that a godly wife willingly submits herself to the protective arms of her husband. She does this not because he is better than she is, but simply because this is God’s order for His creation.”
* I recall early in my marriage, three decades ago, proclaiming what a beautiful metaphor this verse was in men’s bible study groups. That was until the Holy Spirit enlightened me that it was not a metaphor at all, I was to take it literally. That was difficult to embrace, seeing as how Christ died for the Church. So I was to die for Nancy? Yes indeed, and why not? Are we not called to die to self when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior?
“A godless world rejects the God-given formula for making marriage work. It thinks it knows best, and suffers the heartbreaking consequences of destroyed marriages and ruined lives. The Christian ideal of marriage is not one of an authoritarian and chavinistic male holding his cringing wife in submission like an obediant dog. It’s the very opposite. While most of the great religions treat women as inferior to men, the Bible gives them a place of dignity, honor, and unspeakable worth, expressed so evidently in Proverbs 31….”
This post is for you Nancy.
Love,
Jimmy