Proverbs 31 meets Ephesians 5….
Many men dream of having a Proverbs 31 wife. She belongs to “the wisest of women,” who build up their homes with industry and skill, (Proverbs 14:1). She gives her man a good name so that he “is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land” (Proverbs 31:23). She is “a good thing” without qualification or reserve (Proverbs 18:22), for “she does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:12). Not only have many men desired a wife of such caliber – many women and wives rightly strive to model themselves after this godly description of a wife, mother, and woman as a way to serve the Lord faithfully! (Taken in part from Scott Hubbard, Desiring God).
Yet, the responsibility to serve the Lord faithfully, to honor your spouse, and to raise children in “the discipline and instruction of the Lord” does not lie exclusively with wives. Ephesians 5:25-28 calls men to be worthy of godly wives as they serve Christ. Paul writes, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” Men – pay attention!
Simply, imagine the blessings, the callings, and the obedience to God’s Word when a Proverbs 31 woman marries an Ephesians 5 man! God is honored – the husband is honored – the wife is honored – the marriage is honored – the children are taught the ways of God – and the world is a better place through it all! In a world where we “stress” and “fear” about so much, following a godly pattern for our lives as we stay in the center of God’s will brings us a measure of godly comfort and peace that will last!
Pastor Chris
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