Proverbs 12:4, Supportive or Destructive!

June 4, Proverbs 12:4

1 Peter 3:1-7 “Dwelling together as heirs of the grace of life.”

Supportive or Destructive!

Perhaps few men knew more about women than Solomon! There are a number of proverbs that make frequent references to the character of the female. The Hebrew word for Virtuous (chayil) is multi-faceted. It includes the ideas of wealth, strength, power, army, ability, or efficiency. It often involves, as here, moral worth, as also in the case of Ruth (Ru. 3:11). Women were held in a subordinate position in the past, and even in some countries are still held down. This woman is a woman of strength, “no doll or plaything” (Maclaren). As we might say, She has a lot in her. Wordsworth described her poetically:

“A perfect woman, nobly planned, to warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a spirit, still and bright with something of angelic light.”

1. A Diamond Diadem: A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. “He that is blessed with a good wife is as happy as if he were upon the throne, for she is no less than a crown to him” (Henry). God gave woman to complete man. When content with the role God made her for, woman finds her true place as queen of her husband, and of her home. She is then the true woman, who is necessary to man, but not independent of him when she exhibits such qualities. She really does rule her husband, but it is the rule of love and grace. She stands as a sign of dignity and excellence, crowned with a diamond diadem. “The bearing of her goodness is principally regarded as affecting her husband. Wherever there is a true marriage, the wife will not think that women’s rights are infringed, because one chief issue of her beauty of virtue is the honour and joy it reflects upon him who has her heart” (Maclaren). By her influence she exalts her husband’s character and position among his peers. “She delights to see her husband honoured, respected and loved” (Bridges). She is not a mere ring on his finger, or a chain around his neck, but a crown, a diamond diadem, on her husband’s head, a God-given helpmate.

2. A Deadly Disease: She that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. “The gnawing misery of being fastened like two dogs in a leash to one who causes shame is vividly portrayed by that strong figure, that she is like rottenness in his bones, eating away strength, and inflicting disfigurement and torture” (Maclaren). Jerome aptly compares it to the worm eating into the heart of the tree, destroying it. Rottenness to the bones suggests what we might call today a bone cancer, truly, a deadly disease, that destroys herself and everyone else she touches (10:7; 14:30).The corruption of the best is always the worst. A woman, gone bad, is a tragic creature indeed. Such a woman may be anyone from an adulteress to a nag. Both contribute to the hurting rather than to the helping of their husbands. This woman acts as a poison to her husband and her home. How vital is the young man’s choice of a life-partner! When looking for a life-partner, don’t look around, look up! Any other choice than God’s will mean disaster. Let the Christian young women, contemplating marriage, ponder prayerfully her tremendous responsibilities. “Never be yoked to one who refuses the yoke of Christ” (Anon.).

Thought: As God by creation made two of one, so by marriage He makes one of two.

Prayer: For God-honouring marriages and homes.