Daily Bread 4-3-17
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 work willingly with her hands.
14 She is like 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 honor 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.
ref. - Pr 12:4 - A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
Pr 14:1 - Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
1K 2:19 - Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the kings' mother, and she sat on his right hand.
Ps 112:1 - Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Today, whether we look at this as the wife of a husband, or the Church to Christ, the scripture rings true. If we look at how fortunate we are that God has given us a Church that is faithful to the teachings of Christ, gives all reverence to Christ, and is obedient to those teachings, we are a blessed people. Just as the Church is to Christ, so should the wife be to the husband. This scripture needs very little explanation if we can just look at it in a spiritual sense and understand how fortunate we are. The Church and the faithful people are the wife, and Christ is the husband. Either way we look at it, spiritually or carnally, it is written, it is true, it is for us. Let us read this scripture a couple times at least and pray that God will either turn us into or provide us with what it speaks of. Many on this earth do not need a carnal wife, but we all need to be espoused to Christ. We all have fallen short of the glory of God but Christ looked down on us and chose to pick us up and turn us into his bride! He is here to help us, to nurture us, and to take care of us. But, we must take on the qualities of a virtuous woman. If we are obedient and willing to do what we are supposed to do, we will be blessed and praised by the husband. If not, we will be as rottenness in is bones. It is very thoroughly explained here in the book of Proverbs. Let us read it and pray that God will turn us into the wives(spiritual as every man espoused to Christ, and carnally as the woman is wife to the man) we are supposed to be!! Have a great day!!!