Proverbs 31 four final
1
The Proverbs 31 Woman LIFEFAITHFUSION DEVOTIONAL
SCRIPTURE STUDY
Proverbs 31:11-12; 38-39 Galatians 6:2 Ephesians 4:28; 5:22-23
THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND TRUSTS IN HER DIGGING DEEPER The heart of her husband trusts his wife and he will have no lack. The Hebrew word for lack is chacer (khaw-sare') which means to fail, want, lessen: to be abated, bereave, decrease, to make lower, to want. In other words, a godly wife knows how to meet her husband’s needs and comfort his hurts.
PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, Help me to meet the needs of my husband. Help me to be a safe place for him. I long to praise and value the wives and mothers in my life. Amen
A husband needs a safe place. A godly wife can provide that place of refuge for a man when he returns from the battles of the day. The Hebrew word for “trusts” is batach, which means to run to refuge, to place confidence in, to bring hope, to be sure. What a gift for a spouse-to have a wife who makes him feel safe, secure and ready to face another day. Proverbs 31:12 tells us how she expressed her love and support for her spouse: “She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.” (Amplified) Only a woman of great faith and sensitivity can fulfill the role of confidant and comforter. According to this verse, he could trust her with his hurts and challenges because he was assured she would always “do him only good.” Three words in the Bible describe the word “intimacy” in English. The first, yada, means I know you. The second, sod, means I let you know me. The third, sakan means I want to know you so that I can be caringly and intimately involved in your life. The husband of the woman described in this Proverbs is assured she will not betray his trust. She follows the law of love as Paul the apostle described it in Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” NIV
2
Now, a word to husbands and children: a wife and mother doesn’t only carry her own hurts and burdens. She carries those of her husband and children as well. Family members to be sensitive to this fact. For example, when a husband comes home griping about the mean boss at work, he dumps his hurt and frustration on his wife. He now feels much better after venting his pain. When he goes to work, he can go about the work of resolving the conflict and restoring the relationship. The wife, however, is left with the hurt. She may never hear about the restoration, she seldom has the opportunity to respond to the boss….so the husband heals and the wife is left with a gaping wound and a lot of anger. Often we hear the words, “The wife doesn’t have a reason to cry because it did not happen to her.” The truth is it DID happen to her. So how do you open up and be vulnerable with your wife or mom, and still help her to process the burden she carries for you? Be sensitive to how you share hurt and give your spouse updates on the progress of the relationship. Realize she needs to mourn the hurt and be comforted as well. A trustworthy wife is not a stoic, self-reliant woman, she is spiritually mature, prayerful, and ready to meet her family’s needs. Such beautiful character causes her husband to have confidence in her. •
Wives, are you a “safe place” for your husband? Does he feel free to be open and vulnerable with you about his needs and hurts? Do you keep his confidence? What steps can you take to make your home a “safe place” for your husband and children?
•
Husbands and children, do you consider your wife’s or mother’s feelings when you share your hurts? Do you also share your joys and your blessings?
•
How can your close and extended family be a support system for each other? List some ways that you can let them know you are available and willing to listen and meet their needs?
THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSE TO HIS WIFE Proverbs 31:11 describes the husband’s response to his wife’s kind and understanding heart: “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.” (Amplified) This godly woman went far beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. She encouraged her husband to reach his fullest potential. In Proverbs 31:23 we learn the result: “Her husband is respected at the city gate where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (NIV). In the Jewish culture a woman’s success was largely by her husband’s accomplishments. Since her husband was an elder at the gate, she was highly honored. Her husband’s service at the city gate was an unpaid position, so the woman’s enterprising endeavors helped the family finances. His whole-hearted response to his wife is genuine praise, as described in Proverbs 31:28-29: “...her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." NIV The Hebrew word for “praise” is the word halal, to boast, to make a show, to rave, to make a fool of oneself. This verb is the very same verb used to praise God. “Hallelujah!”
3
“MANY WOMEN HAVE DONE EXCELLENTLY, BUT YOU SURPASS THEM ALL.” The literal translation of this husband’s compliment would sound like this: “Many apples of the eye (women, daughters) have stood out in a crowd, but you top them all. You’re the best fruit in the bunch.” A word to husbands and children —take time to affirm your wife for all her efforts behind the scenes. Make her feel special and valued above all other women. The most powerful corollary to the husband’s praise in Proverbs 31:28 is Paul’s challenge to husbands in Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” NIV
Loving your wife, honoring your mother, or the spiritual “mothers” in your life is beautifully modeled by Jesus Christ. He loves His bride (His church) by sacrificing for her and by protecting her. A godly husband should serve as his wife’s spiritual leader. He also loves her by placing her first in his life, even above his family of origin. She knows that she is valued, guarded, and treated with honor.
•
Do you praise the wives and mothers (physical and spiritual) in your life? How do you do so? In what ways can you praise her (them) this week? List a few specific ways you can show value and appreciation.
•
How can you place her needs before your own? Read Ephesians 4:28. What are some things you could say that would be hurtful? How can you build her up “according to her needs, that it may benefit” her?
•
Jesus Christ protected His bride’s spiritual purity. How can you keep your wife pure? What are some influences that should not come into the home? What are some positive ways you can help her grow spiritually? Do you pray with her or for her?
For Further Study Re-read the key passages and write your observations on the back of this sheet. Proverbs 31:11-12; 38-39; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:28; 5:22-23
The Proverbs 31 Woman LIFEFAITHFUSION DEVOTIONAL
SCRIPTURE STUDY
Proverbs 31:11-12; 38-39 Galatians 6:2 Ephesians 4:28; 5:22-23
THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND TRUSTS IN HER DIGGING DEEPER The heart of her husband trusts his wife and he will have no lack. The Hebrew word for lack is chacer (khaw-sare') which means to fail, want, lessen: to be abated, bereave, decrease, to make lower, to want. In other words, a godly wife knows how to meet her husband’s needs and comfort his hurts.
PRAYER FOCUS Dear Jesus, Help me to meet the needs of my husband. Help me to be a safe place for him. I long to praise and value the wives and mothers in my life. Amen
A husband needs a safe place. A godly wife can provide that place of refuge for a man when he returns from the battles of the day. The Hebrew word for “trusts” is batach, which means to run to refuge, to place confidence in, to bring hope, to be sure. What a gift for a spouse-to have a wife who makes him feel safe, secure and ready to face another day. Proverbs 31:12 tells us how she expressed her love and support for her spouse: “She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.” (Amplified) Only a woman of great faith and sensitivity can fulfill the role of confidant and comforter. According to this verse, he could trust her with his hurts and challenges because he was assured she would always “do him only good.” Three words in the Bible describe the word “intimacy” in English. The first, yada, means I know you. The second, sod, means I let you know me. The third, sakan means I want to know you so that I can be caringly and intimately involved in your life. The husband of the woman described in this Proverbs is assured she will not betray his trust. She follows the law of love as Paul the apostle described it in Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” NIV
2
Now, a word to husbands and children: a wife and mother doesn’t only carry her own hurts and burdens. She carries those of her husband and children as well. Family members to be sensitive to this fact. For example, when a husband comes home griping about the mean boss at work, he dumps his hurt and frustration on his wife. He now feels much better after venting his pain. When he goes to work, he can go about the work of resolving the conflict and restoring the relationship. The wife, however, is left with the hurt. She may never hear about the restoration, she seldom has the opportunity to respond to the boss….so the husband heals and the wife is left with a gaping wound and a lot of anger. Often we hear the words, “The wife doesn’t have a reason to cry because it did not happen to her.” The truth is it DID happen to her. So how do you open up and be vulnerable with your wife or mom, and still help her to process the burden she carries for you? Be sensitive to how you share hurt and give your spouse updates on the progress of the relationship. Realize she needs to mourn the hurt and be comforted as well. A trustworthy wife is not a stoic, self-reliant woman, she is spiritually mature, prayerful, and ready to meet her family’s needs. Such beautiful character causes her husband to have confidence in her. •
Wives, are you a “safe place” for your husband? Does he feel free to be open and vulnerable with you about his needs and hurts? Do you keep his confidence? What steps can you take to make your home a “safe place” for your husband and children?
•
Husbands and children, do you consider your wife’s or mother’s feelings when you share your hurts? Do you also share your joys and your blessings?
•
How can your close and extended family be a support system for each other? List some ways that you can let them know you are available and willing to listen and meet their needs?
THE HUSBAND’S RESPONSE TO HIS WIFE Proverbs 31:11 describes the husband’s response to his wife’s kind and understanding heart: “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.” (Amplified) This godly woman went far beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. She encouraged her husband to reach his fullest potential. In Proverbs 31:23 we learn the result: “Her husband is respected at the city gate where he takes his seat among the elders of the land” (NIV). In the Jewish culture a woman’s success was largely by her husband’s accomplishments. Since her husband was an elder at the gate, she was highly honored. Her husband’s service at the city gate was an unpaid position, so the woman’s enterprising endeavors helped the family finances. His whole-hearted response to his wife is genuine praise, as described in Proverbs 31:28-29: “...her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." NIV The Hebrew word for “praise” is the word halal, to boast, to make a show, to rave, to make a fool of oneself. This verb is the very same verb used to praise God. “Hallelujah!”
3
“MANY WOMEN HAVE DONE EXCELLENTLY, BUT YOU SURPASS THEM ALL.” The literal translation of this husband’s compliment would sound like this: “Many apples of the eye (women, daughters) have stood out in a crowd, but you top them all. You’re the best fruit in the bunch.” A word to husbands and children —take time to affirm your wife for all her efforts behind the scenes. Make her feel special and valued above all other women. The most powerful corollary to the husband’s praise in Proverbs 31:28 is Paul’s challenge to husbands in Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” NIV
Loving your wife, honoring your mother, or the spiritual “mothers” in your life is beautifully modeled by Jesus Christ. He loves His bride (His church) by sacrificing for her and by protecting her. A godly husband should serve as his wife’s spiritual leader. He also loves her by placing her first in his life, even above his family of origin. She knows that she is valued, guarded, and treated with honor.
•
Do you praise the wives and mothers (physical and spiritual) in your life? How do you do so? In what ways can you praise her (them) this week? List a few specific ways you can show value and appreciation.
•
How can you place her needs before your own? Read Ephesians 4:28. What are some things you could say that would be hurtful? How can you build her up “according to her needs, that it may benefit” her?
•
Jesus Christ protected His bride’s spiritual purity. How can you keep your wife pure? What are some influences that should not come into the home? What are some positive ways you can help her grow spiritually? Do you pray with her or for her?
For Further Study Re-read the key passages and write your observations on the back of this sheet. Proverbs 31:11-12; 38-39; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:28; 5:22-23
