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.
Good post RKJ, hate to bust your bubbles:laugh:, but Proverbs 31 is all about the virtuous woman who is a wife ineed, and NOT the church. This woman has the qualities and character of a wise godly woman that God so desires and considers as being a "wife indeed" and has commanded that a woman who seeks to be a wife should be toward he husband and children if there are any.... In fact when you read the first 9 verses it is writren to king Lemuel. mothryl advice to her som about finding this rare godly woman, a woman of excellence, and not allow alcohol to dim his mind, an make the wrong choice...
And yes, there are women who can do, and there are women who are doing this, and there have been women dead nd gone, or who are now widows, or their chldren are grown and gone who have done everything found in the godly character of a virtuous woman.
You make mention of verse 15, how she cares for her servants. Well, that's not a big deal problem, she has live-in servants who are helping to care for her children while she is away doing business, and who are caring for her household and her as well... why shouldn't she also feed them during their day off with her family?
Here is a break-down of her qualities and characteristics as being a wise godly "virtuous wife indeed" Each verse emphasizes a different quality about the excellent wife: (1) she is rare, and is praised and trusted by her hsband in all things;(2) she is trustworthy; (3) constant in her love;(4) industrious;(5) thrifty; (6) she is a self-starter;(7) enterprising; (unafraid of hard work;(8) willing to work long hours until her work is done; (9)willing to do monotonous work; (10) she is compassionte; (11) prepared fir the future; (12)she is a good business woman, she sews for herself and family; (13) she is married to a man who is a leader who respects her as his wife and her work; (14) she is an entrepreneur; (15) she is long suffering and is not sawyed by circumstances;; (16) she is loving, kind and gentle; (17) blessed by her family, and freind and business associates; (18) she is a praying woman of God; (19) she is a mover and a shaker on the move; (20) she is a wife indeed who care much for her family and is dedicated to her husband and children; (21) she fears the Lord; (22) her work speaks for its self.
BTW, most importantly, anyone who had a dear godly praying sweet heart of a mom who loved and cared for them on much of nothing and made end meet and sacrificed herself for her husband and family, and did her very best to teach and direct you the right things and life skills for the future, had a virtuous mother, who was a "wife indeed".
So fulfilling these Proverb 31 qualties and having such character is not out of the way...:applause::dancingp::glow:
"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
:applause:...Out od the mouths of babes...Good Word & Manna RK...the LORD has revealed & given you a message to deliver to the Body of Christ.."the Church"...based on Proverbs 31...the LORD's words of Wisdom have been recieved with Joy and Great Gladness...:bouncy:...the Holy Spirit is doing a most wonderful work through you...All Praise, Glory & Thanksgiven to GOD !!!...xo
Yes PJ !!! :bouncy:...Drinking the Word of the LORD Given & Recieved of the Holy Spirit...Ella is correct in her posting...and RK has received { Revelation }...IN-Lighting t ohis soul...which he is sharing...Praise :bow: GOD !!!
RK I have to agree with Et your post is out of context. Proverbs 31 has nothing to do with a woman's relationship to Christ. Seeing that the passage is from the old testament if I were to seriously entertain your analogy I would have to link her to God the Father not God the son. But I will not, because that is not the intent of the proverb. The proverb is a simply THE EXAMPLE upon which to judge the character of a wife.
PJ, you are toooo funnnneee:ROFL:... Jude don't hurt him tooo bad:laugh:
So true Itasca, this is totally about the character and qualities of a wise godly women who is a wife indeed, as God, Paul and Peter have described throughout the gospel.
Now if Rk would like o cmapre and contrast ALL the verses of Proverbs 31, to the church, then he should do so to prove his beliefs. He can't just pull out a few passages and find scriputres to try and fit them into what is being said the this chapter.
Also, RK, you uses Ephesians chapter 5, but you do not use the whole passage which is comparing and contrasting the ordained rle of the husband a HEAD of the wife and household, to that of Chrit's role and postion as HEAD of the church, His love and care for the church. Paul is saying so should the husband view his position and lead role as to that of Christ of over the church. The wife and household becomes the husband's church.
RK, If you are going to quote scripture, please quote the whole passage for content and context. Ephesians 5:25 says, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church."
God is saying, that the MARRIAGE and the ordained role of the husband as HEAD of the wife and household is SYMBOLIC to that of the church, wherein Christ is HEAD and so love and care for the chruch that He gave His life for her, so should the husband so love and care for his wife and household...
So if you say that Proverbs 31, is about the church, then you must be able to spiritually explain ALL the verses as such...
:glow:...Ima not be hurtin nobody...just given a Ata Boy to RK for digging deep into Word...and bringing it to the light...for discussion...Doesnt mean his personal ( Revelation ) is not worthy of examination...
Good Point Itasca...Context is MOST Important...and All Christians shall do well to remember this...Its one thing to receive a IN-Sight..( Revelation ) and Another to Re-Write the Context of the Word to give it New Meaning...
Back to RK's question...
Proverbs 31 Wife: Are YOU One?
*** I strive to live & be & do my best in the sight of Father GOD that I am capable of...Always remembering I am and can do NOTHING with out GOD...We all fall short of the mark...and I have yet to meet or find One women that is a PERFECT Proverbs 31 women...nor a PERFECT Eph 5 man...xo
