The Blessing of an Excellent Wife* - 2

As usual, all the emphasis or comments in Purple font are mine.


“Few influences affect a man’s heart for God more than his wife, for better or for worse.”


Her Sacrifice
Third, this diligent woman gives generously to “the poor” and “the needy” (v. 20). As “the snow” approaches, she also gives to her family. She has planned ahead, making “scarlet” garments (v. 21) for her household. She spares no effort or cost in providing the best she can. After providing for others, this industrious wife makes “bed coverings” and clothes “for herself” with “fine linen and purple” (v. 22). Her ability to give expensive garments is clear evidence of God’s favor upon her labors.


Her Savvy
Fourth, her many virtues enhance her husband’s position in “the gates” (v. 23), where city leaders meet. With keen savvy, this excellent wife “makes,” “sells” and “delivers” (v. 24) her goods. Despite being very competent, she does not compete with her husband’s leadership, but undergirds it by her humble submission—and everyone knows it.


Her Strength
Fifth, this treasured wife looks to the future with inner “strength” and “dignity” (v. 25). Though she anticipates many challenges, she nevertheless “laughs” (v. 25) with positive confidence in the Lord’s providential care. She is expectant that heaven’s supply will meet her family’s every need. As people seek her counsel, she speaks words of “wisdom” and “kindness” (v. 26) to them. Though busy outside the home, she does not neglect “her household” (v. 27).


Her Supremacy
Sixth, she is such a fine mother that as her children observe her excellence, they “call her blessed” (v. 28). Her husband sees her character traits in parenting and “praises her.” He boasts that among women, “[she] surpass[es] them all” (v. 29). In his eyes, there are none who can legitimately claim to be her equal.


Her Spirituality
Seventh, this woman’s true greatness is her spiritual devotion. She “fears the Lord” (v. 30). “Charm” and “beauty” alone are “deceitful” and “vain.” Her real attraction to him is her reverence for God. Even the city leaders “praise her” in the “gates” (v. 31), recognizing the integrity of her life. Her husband prizes her fidelity and industry. He is the most blessed of men.


Is it any wonder that her husband trusts her? The reality of God in her life makes her worthy of his full confidence. By every estimate, she is “the crown of her husband” (12:4). Only God can provide such an excellent helpmate.


Has the Lord given you such an excellent wife? Do you see how she is specifically suited for you? Do you recognize how she has increased your effectiveness for the Lord? Then give thanks to God for such a woman in whom your heart trusts.


Oh wow! I'm actually humbled that my husband sent this to me. I've also identified areas for improvement for sure - hence my response was:

May God help me meet and surpass these 7 Ss. I also pray the same prayer for you, my sister.

AMEN!

Source:
* http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/284004-blessing-excellent-wife-steven-lawson.html

The Blessing of an Excellent Wife*

You won't believe who or when I received this email...here's a snip for a hint:

Because of his wife...

This topic dropped in my heart after I overheard something similar in by way of a comment about a Pastor - or rather about his wife. As you'd expect, it got me thinking about what things my husband gains or loses "because of me" - his wife.

The Bible gives us examples or exhortations on what men gain or lose because of their wives. In fact, we have more than 1 example of men, leaders - actually kings - who lost their relationship with God "because of their wives."

1 Kings 21:25 - So Ahab sold himself out to do what the Lord says is evil. There is no one who did as much evil as Ahab and his wife Jezebel, who caused him to do these things. *

1 Kings 11:4 - When Solomon was old, his wives caused him to follow other gods, so he did not follow the Lord completely as his father David did.*

Then in Proverbs which was mainly written by Solomon, who missed it because of his wives, we read that:

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, & he receives favor from the Lord.**

A worthy wife is her husband’s joy and crown; the other kind corrodes his strength and tears down everything he does. (Proverbs 12:4 - TLB)

Further in Proverbs, because of his wife, a husband - also known as the "Proverbs 31 Man" was described to another leader - a king - by his mother this way:

"Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city." (Proverbs 31:23 - CEV)

Proverbs 31: 11 shown below in different translations, explains why he was respected:

Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. (MSG)

The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely,

so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. (AMPC)

The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
and he will have no lack of gain. (AMP)

Her husband depends on her, and she never lets him down. (CEV)

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. (NLT)

Reading these I can't help but challenge myself to do what verse 12 says:

"She does good for her husband all her life. She never causes him trouble." (ERV)

 



The way I see it, as a wife, Mrs Pastor or not, it's always in your best interest to do good to and for your husband. When you do that, he will trust you and beyond that, you will be evidence that God is happy with your husband - and blessed him with you as Proverbs 18:22 reminds us

"If you find a wife, you have found something good.

She shows that the Lord is happy with you."*

And, if, or shall I say when a Pastor is happy, blessed and respected because of his wife, she will be happy, blessed and respected because of her husband...

References:
* ERV, emphasis mine

** Proverbs 18: 22

Ministry is not just the Father's Business... (2)

...it must be your "Family Business" too

Last week we started talking about Mrs Moses Amram* - and what we can learn from how involved she was or wasn't in the Ministry God committed to her husband.

Ministry is not just the Father's Business... (1)

...it must be your "Family Business" too.

Interestingly in the past week, I've been really blessed to have listened to 2 Webcasts - 1 Live - hosted by Mrs Lois Evans (@LoisEvans) and the second one was hosted by her daughter Chrystal (@ChrystalHurst). The topics covered - "Raising kids that don't hate the Ministry" and "Living the life you love" respectively - a good segue to this post.

I cannot explain how but in the past couple of days I've been thinking about Mrs Moses-Amram and her family. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. What if I tell you her first name starts with a "Z"? Yes, Zipporah - you got it!