Proverbs 31:10-31 (AMP; MESSAGE; TLB)
Genesis 2:18 – “And the Lord
God said, “It isn’t good for man to be alone; I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his
needs.”
Emphasis on her role
as a helper suited to her husband’s needs in Proverbs 31.
Proverbs 31: 11-12 (TLB)
“Her husband can trust her, and she will
richly satisfy his needs. She will not hinder him but help him all her life.”
(AMP)
“The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence], and he will have no lack of gain. She comforts, encourages, and
does him only good and not evil all the days of her
life.”
Verse 23 (AMP)
“Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.”
But how does
the above scripture emphasise on her role as a helper suited to his needs? By his wise counsels, and prudent
management of affairs, it appears that he has a discreet companion in his
bosom; by conversation with whom he improves himself. By his cheerful
countenance and pleasant humour, it appears that he has an agreeable wife at home;
for many that have not had their tempers strangely soured by it.
Nay, by his appearing clean and
neat in his dress, everything about him decent and handsome, yet not gaudy, one
may know he has a good wife at home that takes care of his clothes. See Job 29:4-11 to buttress this.
Proverbs 31: 28-29 (TLB):
“Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He
praises her with these words: “There are many fine women
in the world, but you are the best of them all!”
Her
husband thinks
himself so happy in her that he takes all occasions to speak well of her, as
one of the best of women. Even her
children grow up in her place, and
they call her blessed. They
give her their good word, they are themselves a commendation to her, and they
are ready to give great commendations of her; they pray for her, and bless God
that they had such a good mother.
To crown it
all, verse 30 (AMP):”Charm
and grace are deceptive, and
[superficial] beauty is vain. But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping,
obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be
praised.”
What does God (who makes a
companion for him; a helper suited to his needs) look for in such a woman from
the above scripture? A good and faithful servant that fears God (who reverences
God; who worships Him; who obeys Him; who serves Him; who trusts Him with
awe-filled respect) = Stewardship.
For this week, let’s take a cue
from two women from the Bible of how faithful (or unfaithful) they were in their
own diverse stewardship
Ø
King Ahab’s wife – 1Kings
16:28-31 to 1Kings 22:40 (death of King Ahab); 2Kings 9:30-37 (doom & death of Jezebel). Take note of the declaration and testimony of heaven concerning
her – 1Kings 21:25-26.
Ø
Pilate’s wife – Matthew 27:19 (Pilate’s wife was the only person recorded who appealed the
decision to condemn Jesus. A godly counsel which was not taken on by her
husband)
O JESUS, I have promised to serve Thee to the end
©
O Jesus, I
have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
©
O Jesus,
Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
©
O let me see
Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.
