The last part of Proverbs 31 is about a good and virtuous wife .
There are some great character qualities in there for women to think about – hardworking, generous, passionate, caring, industrious, a sacrificial heart, she speaks well, loves to laugh, enjoys her family, etc.
As I look at these verses, I notice that the husband of this woman is mentioned 3 times.
Lets look at the 3 mentions and see if we can glean something for husbands today:
1. vs. 11 – Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
This husband trusts his wife. One version of this passage says that with her, “he has everything he needs’ . There must be Trust.
Not controlling. Not manipulation. Trust.
Do you believe that she has your best interests in mind? Do you believe that you are on the same team with her? Are you together on the big issues of marriage – SEX, MONEY, CHILDREN, COMMUNICATION and INLAWS?
Because this husband trusts her, she enriches his life. Being on the same team with your wife allows her to bring fullness to your life. When you trust, you allow her to be all she is, you build her up and allow her to grow and blossom into a beautiful woman. If you don’t trust, she stays locked up, unable to thrive.
Wives – Do you give your husband the opportunity to trust you? Do you keep the things he tells you in confidence? Do you build him up, or tear him down with your words?
2. vs. 23 – Her husband is well known at the city gates where he sits with the other civic leaders.
This husband is respected by others. These section in Proverbs talks mainly about the woman being industrious and hardworking, but in this verse, we see that the husband ain’t no slacker. He is involved with business and the decisions being made where they live.
This is something we should all strive to be. Men who care about the decisions that are going on where we live. Villages, cities, states, nations…we should be involved, we should care about what is going on where we live.
The phrase – “Behind every good man is a good woman” comes to mind. Because of the wonderful relationship that this man has with his wife – he is free to be a decision maker, a mover and a shaker. She is such a woman of great character, that he is able to excel in the marketplace.
Together, this husband and wife are an amazing team.
Hubbys: Does your wife believe in you? Are you the kind of man that she can believe in?
Wifeys: What can your hubby do to help you believe in him?
3. vs. 28,29 – …Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
This guy knows how to give a compliment. “Other women are good, but Honey-baby – you are the cream of the crop.”
We need to compliment our wives. They take care of so many things. My Beautiful Wife™ is a great administration person – she’s good with the bills, she’s good with the organizing of the house, the laundry, the scheduling, the food we eat… and how much do I acknowledge that?
Not enough.
The compliments and encouragements have to be real. They must be heart felt, and they can’t be generic. Think of something specific that your wife does and that blesses your life…
Then tell her!!!
To be a Proverbs 31 Husband we should:
*Trust Our Wives!
*Be a Man Worthy of a Good Woman!
*Praise Her More Often!
jbcurio provided the cool pic!
