I have known allot of women who want to be a Proverbs 31 wife.(Or allot of Men who demand them to be)
I guess that is all fine and dandy, if a woman wants to try to be Super wife(though its nearly impossible if you go by the scriptures) and many many people have written books over the years on WHAT proverbs 31 really means, and they put different segments of vs 10-31 into diferent catagories: Example:
verses 10-12 = her character as a wife.
13-19 = her devotion as a house maker. etc...
But im here to propose that Proverbs 31 is NOT, absolutely NOT about how a wife is supsoed to treat her husband(though if a woman wants to try to do those thigns more power and grace to her) but is about the CHURCH, the BRIDE(body) of the LAMB, New Jerusalem, ALL of us collectively. The people of Jesus.
if you notice, for example, in verse 15 is not about feeding her husband, but her maidens and household. Epheisians 2:19 says the Saints are of the HOUSEHOLD of GOD, the saints make up the CHURCH and the CHURCH is the virtuous wife of Christ Jesus. So we Should FEED the church, each other, does this mean with physical food, well yes of course, but SPIRITUALLY as well, edification strengthening the body, flushing out the sin, that makes it week.
See as, proverbs says she is Virtuous. What does Virtuous mean?
Well Websters dictionary says: "Moraly exellent"(righteous); and Chaste.
WHO is Chaste? In 1 Corinthins 11:2, Paul says the CHURCH is supposed to be a chaste Bride.
"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
Proverbs 31, is not so much a guidline for a woman to her husband, but for the CHURCH to JESUS.
She is the total Opposite, of the WHRE/Harlot church mentioned in Revelation 17.
The Woman in Revelation 17, is NOT chaste, she is a Harlot, she commits Adultery and fornicates with the WORLD, This one LOOKS(on the outside) like the virtuous woman in the fact that she is drapped in purple and scarlet(Compare Rev 17:4 with Provesbs 31:21-22) But she is not faithful to her husband. She Has NO fear of the LORD(like the virtueous one in Proverbs 31:30) as to obey Him, and stay virginal. Therefor has NO wisodm(Job 28:28, Psalm 111:10, proverbs 9:10, Isaiah 33:6) and NO Strength fo Salvation.
So The CHURCH is the virtuous Woman. I see many women wanting to be the Virtous wife for there husbands, but besides the fact that it is putting ALLOT of Pressure on women to preform in the flesh(we are to be led by the spirit, Romans 8:14) ITs not even about a physical marriage, but about OUR relationship with Our LORD.
For the Vituous woman, the last verse, 31 says:
"Give her the product of her hands,And let her works praise her in the gates"
Reveation 18(talking about the Harlot Church)
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double to her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled fill to her double.
The two churches are rewarded on the basis of what they have DONE. mixed with the world Or stayed seperate? Virginal, chaste, Unto JESUS only, JESUS has 100% of there heart, or the wolrd has some, money has some, power, has some ,riches has some, this world? are they double minded Whres, who think they are not a widow but a QUEEN, or are they Humble, not boastful in themsleves, but boastful on JESUS, thoug hhis spirit. Are they Rich in need of nothing, but really they are poor blind and naked? Or have they come through the fire, washed in the blood, doing the works of Righteousness, instead of Self and wickedness, workign out of the Mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit in them, instead of there own Carnal minds.
Revelation 3:8
I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name.
Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
"10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
(Revelation 21:11"having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper..")
11The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
(Ephesisans 5:27 "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." )
13She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
(Wool is always symbols of righteousness/Holyness/comfort in the bible, and flax, if im not mistaken is Humility/weekness)
14She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.
15She rises also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
(Romans 12:13 "communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality. )
(also: Hebrews 1:16, 3 John 1:5)
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
(Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:7; Snow) (Numbers 4)
22She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
(Revelation 5:6 "... and in the middle of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain... )
24She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
(Proverbs 10:31, Luke 21:15; Mouth of Wisdom)
27She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
(Ezekiel 16:49, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 11 )
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
(Revelation 2:23, 2 John 1:1, Lady and Children)
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
"I hope not! I hope no one here is a "Proverbs 31 Wife" - for obvious reasons. That would mean they're married! "
Hahaha :) I hope you ARE a wife to Jesus.
What is a marriage but a Covenant?
What is a covenant? A legal bindign agreement, Where TWO become one. YOUR life is hid in God with christ(colossians 3:3) and CHRIST now becomes YOUR life. We arent technically suposed to have legal right to ourselves but JESUS is LORD. HE has ownership, like a huband of his wife. WE are his body like the wife is the body of the husband. JESUS, if we are IN covenatn with him, IS our husband.(im not saying go become a nun...hahaha :) ) but now its HIS will we do, not ours and we cant know HIS will unless we submit to it. Unless we Die to self, deny self daily, and seek HIM HIS life instead.
So yeah, we are ALL suposed to be the "Wife" of Jesus. Or at least a part of Her. SHE is the Bride of Christ, the CHURCH of GOD. The children of GOD are the BOdy of JESUS. His WIFE. and those led by the SPIRIT of GOD are SONS of GOD. Those led by the Flesh, carnal mind, and the WORLD, and led by any doctrine that doesnt conform you to the likeness, and righteousness, and holyness of JESUS, is a HARLOT, an unfaithful wife. OR the WHRE Of Babylon as talked about in Revelation 17.
So As much as we WANT to be a proverbs 31 wife for our eventual husbands. Waht about for JESUS? are we what HE expects of us? HAve we built our house on the ROCK, or the Sand? Do we SAY lord Lord, and doen do what he says, or are we obedient, adn becommign more, righteous, adn by HIS grace, becomming more? Or are we Luke warm, double minded, one foot i nthe world, adn the lusts thereof, and one foot in what you "THINK" to be Jesus. But JESUS is not goig nto be ONE of your idols. He is either YOUR LIFE. Or Your still the OLD man, adn need to confess, and Repent of life. 180 degree turn.
SO thats the point of the thread. ARE you In covenant with JESUS? ASk him. MAKE SURE you are on good standing with HIM, and not just what someone SAYS is HIM.
(this was not an attack, nor judgment, God puts a message on my heart i speak it, if its not for you, then its for someone) May Jesus bless you :) :) :)
Is not carnal marriage a reflection of God's marriage to the church? A covenant is a covenant no matter if it is earthly or heavenly. Earthly living was created in image and liking of God who reigns in heaven. There is such thing as a Proverbs 31. Unfortunately, most man can't appreciate her.
