PILLARS OF MARRIAGE 16 TH MARCH 2015 WOMANHOOD AND FEMININITY - QUALITIES OF A PRUDENT WIFE PART 5 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: PROVERBS 31; TITUS 2; 1 ST TIMOTHY 5; 1 ST THESS 4:11-12; 2 ND THESS 3:11-12 Now we get to the real deal. How to draw out, identify and develop the qualities of a Prudent wife. Proverbs 19:14 states that House and riches are inheritance From Fathers; AND a Prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22- Whosoever finds a Wife (from the Lord) finds a good thing; and obtaineth favor of the Lord. That favor is Goodwill from the Lord. A Good wife is a good PORTION that is given to them that fear the Lord. That a Wife is a PORTION of your toil in the face of the Earth is Echoed by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 9:9- Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy PORTION in this life, and in thy labor which thou takest under the sun. Now on to the Qualities of a prudent Wife 1. KEEPERS AT HOME: A Husband is the highest office that exists in the hierarchy of the relational Ladders within the Man. This office comes into effect and is complimented by the arrival of a bride who in turn takes over the office of a wife. Since the office of a wife is equally the highest within the ranks of a woman, it then goes without saying that a Husband is the most Intimate, Personal and closest being/ Object/ Property that a wife can have. Next to the Husband, comes the Home. A woman s Home is a very personal and private space that should equally be honored by all and sundry. A good and prudent wife knows this far too well for she spends most of her time within this personal and private environment. A prudent wife is attached to her Home. Tempering with her household is said to be exposing part of her valued being. When you visit a woman s Home kindly ask for the House rules and manners that go with that environment. Then take a seat and stay quiet waiting for any offers of cold water, tea of juice. Do not serve yourself! Do not comment on the sofas and curtains unless your opinion has been sought after! Don t ask where they were bought and their prices either for the last time I checked, you were not working for tile and carpet. Her home is a deep personal space that affects her a lot. Titus 2:5 states that Women are to be taught to...be keepers at home...that the word of the Lord be not blasphemed. A prudent wife will make her home her Central Business District. A woman who cannot keep her foot in her house should be avoided at all costs. Proverbs 7:11 She is Loud and Stubborn; her feet abide not in her house. Women hear this out; when you are done with your business and have nothing left to do, go home and take care of your Chores! 1 st Timothy 5:13 -..and learning to be Idle, wandering from House to House! Proverbs 25:17 Withdraw your foot from your neighbor s House; Lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Proverbs 31 is a popular refrain and song regarding a virtuous woman. Verse 13 records that, she seeketh wool and flax. This points to paying attention to things as materials for clothing and domestic use. This is because a virtuous woman takes good care of her household. No wonder Proverbs 14:1 says that a wise woman builds her house but a foolish one breaketh it down with her own hands (basically tearing it down with her own mouth). Proverbs 31:15c -..she gives a portion to her maidens. Meaning she allocates duties to all her workers early.
Just to add a footnote here. We are not advocating that a Housewife visa a vie a Working woman is to be highly esteemed and valued as a prudent wife. The disposition of one s mind and the Spirit of a wife within is what is defined with gravity in this section. Proverbs 31:27a She looketh well to the ways of her Household. 2. ACTIVE AND WITH BODILY VIGOUR This second quality has got to do with a prudent wife who works willingly with her own Hands (Proverbs 31:13b). She must be an active woman. One who is given to activity. Laziness and idleness of any sort ought not to be her portion. She does not only labor willingly but finds pleasure in doing so. Her working is not coerced and men-pleasing But a service with the sincerity of heart and reverence unto the Lord (Colossians 3:22). Proverbs 31:27b -...and eateth not the bread of Idleness. Do not marry an idle Woman! Trouble is on the way. Girding up ones Loins is a very common phrase amongst the Hebrew community. Some very familiar bible verse are Psalms 93 1: The LORD reigns, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: Meaning He has tightened his waist line so strong that he cannot be moved. Job 38:3- Gird up your Loins Like a man.. Meaning tighten you belt. Thus when Proverbs 31:17 clearly states a virtuous woman girds up her Loins with strength, and strengthens her arms it gives a picture of what is expected of a prudent wife particular in this part of Africa. Tying a LESSO round ones waist ready for work. This is how you begin to know a prudent wife. When you attend a function she is amongst the first ones to strengthen her hands and tie a LESSO round her waist and begin to handle general chores; and observe how long she does her duties for some have a natural lazy mind with a tendency to faint along the way! 1 st SAMUEL:25 is a very good example of a virtuous woman. The name of that woman is Abigail the wife of a proud drunkard called Nabal. Nabal was very wealthy and prosperous especially as regards herds and cattle. King David sent a delegation of young men to Nabal to ask for whatever would come to His (Nabal s) hand to give unto David through the delegation he sent. (1st Sam 25:8). Nabal answered the servants and said in verse 10: who is David? And who is the Son of Jesse? There be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. When this answer got to David, he became furious (vs 13). Now read the response and strength shown by Abigail in averting the disaster (vs 14-43). David eventually married Abigail! 2nd Thessalonians 3:11-12 for we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all but are busybodies. 12- Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own bread. 1 st Thessalonians 4:11-12- and make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, minding your own business, working with your own hands as we commanded you! Proverbs 31:25a - Strength and Honor are her clothing... A prudent wife is naturally strong and active! 3. MORAL GOODNESS,CHASTE AND PURE This quality is in particular reference to the deep inner relations she has with her Husband. Chastity is basically being sexually pure. Proverbs 31:11- Her husband s heart trusts in her so that he shall lack nothing of value. (She greatly enriches him with her honor). Her chaste and pure character is virtuous and of great crown to the Husband (Proverbs 12:4). Compare this attribute with the qualities of an adulterous woman; one who lacks chastity and purity of Character in Proverbs 7:16-20- I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt; I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come let us take our fill of Love until the morning; let us solace ourselves with Loves. For the
Goodman is not at home, he is gone for a long journey. He has taken a bag of Money with him and will come Home at the day appointed. That picture in Proverbs 7:16-20 completely destroys a Man s heart and is what the bible calls rottenness to his bones. Titus 2:5- To be discreet. Discreet means Modest and decent. As regards the dressing the bible in 1 st Peter 3:3 states thus- Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of Plaiting the hair, and of wearing of Gold or of putting on of an apparel. All these listed are superficial attributes that do not define the deep spirit of a wife. Note the previous teachings on the platforms of womanhood. What is listed in 1 st Peter 3:3 are the qualities of THE FEMALE! 1 ST Peter 3:4 -This now goes on to the moral woman of within; the true spirit of a wife. It thus states But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of the God of great price! Proverbs 31:12- She will do him good and not Evil all the days of her life. 1 st Corinthians 11:7... for the Woman is the Glory of a Man. A prudent wife does not flirt! Her lines of friendship particularly with the opposite gender are well open and known to the Husband. Her degree and level of morality is not coupled with corrupt communications (Ephesians 4:29). She is cautious with Her body which is what is central when defining Morality. Note that to be moral has basically everything to do with who and how you handle your body; the very temple of the Holy Spirit. To be continued next week Blessings TEACHER SAMMY.