A TESTIMONY ON THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN! Some years ago, it fell my lot to present commentary among an assembly of believers. As it was, I hadnt had a calling to a ministry, that is, one which I was aware of, but we were an isolated group of Bible Believers who were without a pastor. I took the situation to prayer and presented the situation upon the Lords altar desiring a leading and guidance in this matter; for I surely was troubled regarding the responsibility placed upon me to minister to our Lords Bride. That to me is a fearful thing! Since my circumstances offered me more opportunity to lay before the Lord in total yielding and submission because of my work commitments, this compared to all the other men in the group, I reluctantly undertook the task. I believe that the Lord was gracious to me in this instance and guided me to a topic, which is so urgent and as much, vital to the successful adorning of the Lords Bride prior to His return to fetch His Bride.. I was led to Proverbs 31:10-31 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour (grace, charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. I have since found commentary on the internet, which I believe, all souls, male and female, who desire to adorn themselves in the relative Word provided for the purpose of presenting oneself as a chaste, virtuous ‘Bride-to-be’ to the coming Bridegroom. This is what I found and am honoured to share with those who are sincere enough to desire to manifest in their lives this, which the Lord would require of His Bride. In addition, allow me to say, that I have no reason not to believe, that this example from the Old Testament pertains to the behaviour of virtuous woman, married and single; and also to the believing men who God considers to be His ‘Wife-to-be’ in Eternity. In heaven when we are immortalised, there shall be no gender issue. The Lord’s Bride will be comprised of a multi-membered group of immortal souls, who are in perfect unity in body, soul, intent, thought and deed! “She will be totally one with Her Husband.” The question is, “How should She conduct Herself while still here being Tutored, and groomed by the ‘Five-fold ministry of the Lord through the leading of the Holy Ghost?” “Are the ethics of modern ‘Woman’s Liberation’ going to be an acceptable characteristic within this sacred body, which will become Jesus’ Bride?” You be the judge! This commentary may have been garnered from a website called bibletruths.net/ but, it was so long ago I really don’t know; and therefore, I hesitate to commit to that since I may be wrong. I’ve spent many hours on that site, and thousands more on thousands of others; and have found some interesting insights. But, as always... I admonish you to always take that which you garner back to the Bible in prayer for revelation by the Holy Spirit. Anyway, this is the essence of what was revealed to me as I waited upon the Lord for His guidance. I hope and pray that it will be of benefit to you. THE TRUTH ABOUT WOMAN It is obvious that man and woman are different. The physical differences are manifest, but the many other differences are not so apparent to many. There have been many forces at work to redefine woman as presented in the Bible. Many of these feminist movements have been very hurtful to women in general, society as a whole, and to the important family unit. THE ORIGIN OF WOMAN. Organic evolutionists claim that man simply evolved by natural selection. They are even more hard pressed to explain the presence of woman. How could such wonderful and complex beings as man and woman have concurrently come into existence in a primitive form from nothing and then have simultaneously evolved? The intelligent answer as to the origin of woman is found in the Creators book, the Bible. God created woman (Gen. 2: 18-25). Man is a social being (Gen. 2: 18). Hence, God made woman for man (Ibid.). Regarding Genesis 2: 18, allow me to insert some comments from commentator Matthew Henry: Now he that made him knew both him and what was good for him, better than he did himself, and he said, It is not good that he should continue thus alone.’’ (1.) It is not for his comfort; for man is a sociable creature. It is a pleasure to him to exchange knowledge and affection with those of his own kind, to inform and to be informed, to love and to be beloved. What God here says of the first man Solomon says of all men (Eccl. 4:9, etc.), that two are better than one, and woe to him that is alone. If there were but one man in the world, what a melancholy man must he needs be! Perfect solitude would turn a paradise into a desert, and a palace into a dungeon. Those therefore are foolish who are selfish and would be placed alone in the earth. (2.) It is not for the increase and continuance of his kind. God could have made a world of men at first, to replenish the earth, as he replenished heaven with a world of angels: but the place would have been too strait for the designed number of men to live together at once; therefore God saw fit to make up that number by a succession of generations, which, as God had formed man, must be from two, and those male and female; one will be ever one (Matthew Henrys Complete Commentary of the Bible). GOD MADE WOMAN NOT ONLY FOR MAN BUT ALSO FROM MAN (Gen. 2: 21, 22). Hence, the language This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man (Gen. 2: 23, ishshah, woman, is feminine of ish, man). The fact woman was made for man and made from man is very significant in determining the role and needs of the woman. In fact, womans origin and purpose provide great insight regarding the social, physiological, mental, and emotional aspects of woman. THE STATION OF WOMAN IN LIFE. The station of woman is plainly taught in the Bible. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception: in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee (Gen. 3: 16). As mentioned, woman was created from the man, for the man, and she is his glory (I Cor. 11: 8, 9, 7). Hence, her primary station is that of being keepers at home and childbearing (Tit. 2: 5; I Tim. 2: 15). The expression keepers at home (oikourgous) cogently reveals the chief domain and responsibility of the woman. She must guard the home and maintain it. America is in dire need of the family being restored. Much of the health and domestic well being of the family depends on women executing their God given responsibility. God did not design woman to be a leader in religious matters or to be the head over man (I Tim. 2: 12 ff., Eph. 5: 22-33, I Cor. 11: 3). The leaders of local churches are to be men who meet certain qualifications (I Tim. 3, Tit. 1) THE PURPOSE OF WOMAN. All of Gods creation has purpose; woman is no exception. We read, And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone: I will make him an help meet for him (Gen. 2: 18). Help meet is from a Hebrew word that suggests a counter-part or helper comparable to him. Every aspect of the woman is a compliment and counter-part to the man. Feminists who deny this are not only in opposition with the Bible but also basic and observable facts. Those who see this biblical truth as belittling to women err. The male and female compose a perfect unit. God, having assigned order and ‘that’ arrangement is perverted, chaos results. The woman and man (husband and wife) are to encourage one another spiritually. Hence, we read Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (I Pet. 3: 7). THE GODLY WOMAN. Regarding man and woman, the greatest achieved goals are spiritual in nature. Proverbs chapter 31 contains a description of a virtuous woman (vs. 10-31). This text presents the greatest challenge ever set before woman. The virtuous woman fears the Lord, cares for her family, and has the respect of her husband and children (vss. 30; 13-15, 21, 27; 11, 12, 28, 31). Her speech is commendable, she aids the needy, and properly adorns herself (vs. 26; 20; 22-25). She is not limited to the needs and sphere of her family. We know this because the virtuous woman is presented as industrious and engaging in financial ventures of her own (vs. 16, 24, 27). In all these extra efforts, however, she does not neglect her primary duty, her family. The virtuous woman is said to be immensely valuable, her price is far above rubies (vs. 10). THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN In this article, I want to introduce you to the ideal woman. She is called the virtuous woman and we are provided a clear look at her, the innermost depths of her character that manifest itself in certain tangible traits (Prov. 31: 10, 10-31). The expression virtuous woman is from the Hebrew ishshah chayil and literally means one of power either in mind or body, or both. As one source comments, She is the perfect housewife, the chaste helpmate of her husband, upright, God-fearing, economical, wise (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 9, pg. 597). The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 especially stands out today in contrast to the modern woman, the product of the Feminists Movement. Before we introduce Proverbs 31: 10-31, allow me to make some preliminary points regarding the nature of Proverbs. Some view the Book of Proverbs as possessing simply antiquated sayings that were only applicable to the Jew under the Law of Moses. While it must be admitted that Proverbs was written in the climate of the Law of Moses, there is often a high standard of morality taught that transcends the Law (Prov. 7: 14, cp. Lev. 3; 7). There is moral enunciation that certainly enjoys placement in the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1: 25). I refer to such teaching as is found in Proverbs 24: 29 (Matt. 7: 12); 24: 17 (Rom. 12: 20); and 24: 9 (2 Cor. 10: 5). I submit that the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 stands as an ideal example of Gods woman today, viewed from such facets as wife, mother, member of society, manufacturer, merchant, and landowner (vs. 11, 12; 28; 14-31; 24; 16). Hence, the virtuous woman presentation challenges the contemporary Jewish concept and, often, the thinking of some Christians and even preachers today, as we shall see. It is my pleasure to now introduce you to the virtuous woman: 10: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14: She is like the merchants ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16: She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24: She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28: Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (Prov. 31). We shall engage in a study of Gods ideal woman under four approaches: Her value; her domesticity; her characteristics; and her rewards. THE VALUE OF THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN. First, her value is seen in her virtuosity. Who can find a virtuous woman? asked the writer, for her price is far above rubies and Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised (vs. 10; 30). Value can be determined by contribution. In the case of the virtuous woman, she greatly contributes to her husband, children, the poor, society, and to herself (vs. 11, 12, cp. 12: 4; 15; 20; 24; 17, 22). Be impressed, dear reader, with the fact that the woman is praised for qualities that she herself has developed! The value of women to any culture, society, and the church of Christ cannot be over emphasized. Women can contribute to overall goodness and moral integrity or they can tear down and destroy. Women are often more resistant to moral decay and, therefore, serve as a restraint. When women become one of the boys, so to speak, society is in for trouble (much of what is happening today). Gods ideal woman stands in sharp contrast with the too often modern woman with her tattoos, cursing, drinking, pompous extravagant wantonness, not to mention her selfish and shallow promiscuous lifestyle. Where does a honourable man find a virgin of marriageable age to take as a bride? She attends to the needs of her family. A cursory examination of Proverbs 31: 10-31 reveals the emphasis and priority of Gods woman: her family. She is seen busy in activities that pertain to the good and well being of her husband and children. She does good to her husband and not evil and she riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household (vs. 12; 15). She is not concerned with the threats of nature, because she has made ready for her family against nature (vs. 21). The fact of her primary concern being her family is seen in the language: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (vs. 27). The teaching of Proverbs 31 is in perfect harmony with the teaching of the New Testament relative to the role of woman. In Pauls inspired epistle to Titus, Paul says regarding older women: That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Tit. 2: 4, 5). THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN. When we consider the characteristics of Gods woman, we can see why she is ishshal chayil, a woman of force and power. Let us briefly mention how she is described and appreciate the fact that these are not surface traits, but they actually emanate from her character. She fears the Lord; hence she is characterized by piety (vs. 30). Purity and loyalty abound (vs. 10, 11, 12). She is kind, benevolent, and selfless (vs. 26, 20, 15, 20, 27). As opposed to bitterness and complaining, cheerfulness is seen (vs. 21). She is wise and dignified (vs. 26; 22). An outstanding characteristic of the virtuous woman is her industry. This zeal and resourcefulness is seen in the promotion of her household (vs. 13, 15, 19, 21, 27). She is a manufacturer, merchant, and landowner (vs. 24; 24; 16). She even cultivates the soil (vs. 16). Herein, please allow me to gently issue a challenge: Who said the godly wife and mother cannot be involved in enterprise outside her physical house? Look again at the virtuous woman (vs. 24; 16). She is presented as what we would call an entrepreneur. She is involved in such enterprise, yet, does not neglect her family! The emphasis is on the ‘virtuous woman’ for another will fall prey to the temptations, which allure her through the previously mentioned ‘pompous extravagant wantonness, not to mention her selfish and shallow promiscuous lifestyle’. Therein lies the potential of a good woman’s degeneration unto decay. THE REWARD OF BEING A VIRTUOUS WOMAN. First, be impressed with the fact that Gods woman is a woman of real power. Which is more far reaching: to work primarily at a secular career and promote a company in providing some often-whimsical product, or contributing to the very foundation of society and mankind itself, the family? Herein is power! Too often great women go unnoticed and without praise. Not so with the godly woman of our text. We read, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her and Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (vs. 28; 31). Appreciate the fact that the wife has personal recognition, let her own works praise her in the gates. What a statement, especially when viewed in the Jewish setting in which it is made! Beloved, above and beyond all praise, recognition, and joy of this earth, heaven is the ultimate reward for Gods people (Matt. 5: 12). We need more women today who are seeking to emulate the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 and not Hollywoods version of the successful woman. Gods woman is of real substance and lasting quality and will offer important contributions to herself, family, and society as a whole. May their tribe increase!
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 17:26:04 +0000
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