Behind Every
Successful Woman ...
A wife of noble
character who can find? She is worth far more than riches. (Proverbs 31:10)
Charm is deceptive,
and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
(Proverbs 31:30)
It is no secret that my wife, Rhonda, is an early riser. This
hasn’t changed during our weeks of self-isolation and social distancing; it
might even have become more accentuated. My family and I have benefited from
her care and hard work.
We’ve all heard it said that “behind every successful man is
a good woman,” but let’s invert the equation. It’s one thing to use Proverbs 31
as a measuring rod for the ‘ideal woman,’ but how often have I (as a man)
stopped to think that about my role to ensure that my wife the freedom to be this
kind of person.
The first readers of this passage would have marveled at
two things: First at the wonderful example of what we have come to call a
virtuous and godly woman, but secondly at the husband who treated his wife
differently than the prominent view of the culture of the day. This was a
radical thought in the culture of King Lemuel, the author of this chapter.
Paul’s understanding in the New Testament was equally
radical for the culture of his day. After he encourages us to be filled with
the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), he goes on to say that this filling will be worked
out in a husband who will truly loves, cherishes, and encourages his wife
(Ephesians 5:25-32).
Is Proverbs 31 an ideal to be reached? Maybe, in some cases.
However, it should also be seen as the standard of a man who sees the true
value of his wife, working as one team, seeking her advice in their decisions, and encouraging her to
be all that she can be. This puts the shoe on the foot and asks; who can find a
husband of noble character?
POST-SCRIPT: A Note
to those who took the Proverb-a-Day Challenge
This ends our month-long journey through the book of
Proverbs. I trust it has been encouraging and that you will continue to daily
spend some time in God’s word.
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