The worthy (wo)MAN

Proverbs 31:10- 31

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears 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.

We all know of the virtues or worthy woman. She takes care of her home, her servants, and the needy. She is not idle, she works outside the home, she is honest, kind and wise.
This past Sunday the man delivering the lesson  to us (Josh) spoke on these verses (click here to listen). But, he had a twist on them. Instead of this worthy woman he talked about the worthy man. I have studied these verses and taught on these verses many of times. I have never thought of the man "behind the scenes". I would like to share with you some things I got from the lesson and a few more thoughts I had after it.

In verse 11 we see he is a one woman man. In todays society we see men (and women) getting married deciding that person is not "the one" and leaving just to go find someone else. We also see people not satisfied with there relationship and seeking pleasures outside their home. Sometimes with multiple people. This man has one woman and he trusts her. Also, we can notice the worthy man chose to spend his life with a worthy woman. He went seeking for this worthy women so he does not have to seek a perfect life elsewhere. She is all he wants.

The virtues woman we see plants a vineyard (v 16), extends her hand to the poor and needy (v 20), She has her own business of selling things (v24), and she watches over the ways of her house or manages the affairs of her house (v 27). All of these things we do not see the man in the equation. It appears to me the woman is doing all of this while her husband is out being the "bread winner" for his family. I would like to submit the husband does have a major role in it. The worthy man supports his wife in her ways. Without the support of her husband she would not be able to do these things. The man is the head of the family and women are to submit to there husbands (Eph. 5:22-23). If he preferred her to stay home, or decide her time outside of the home was taking away from the family then I think she would have to respect his wishes. Along with this showing the worthy man is supportive, it also shows he leads with love and is not a tirant. He could take being head of the house to his head and contro the wife but he shows love and support.

Lemuel means "of God; devoted to God".  In verse 23 we see he has a good reputation. He is known among the gates and sits with the elders. In the gates men come together and have basically like a city council meeting. The elders of the city are like representatives  that make decisions on the town peoples behalf. This man sits among them. He is trusted among the town and people think highly of this man. He has a good reputation among the people and he is a servant of God.

Finally in verses 28, shows this worthy man leads his family well and sets an example for them. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:" These children did not just get up one day praising there mother. I think she taught them manners but the learned to do this from some one. Their father also rises to praise and call her blessed. the children see how he treats their mother and mimics him. Also, I would like to say he probable trained them to do so. Children learn by telling and by example and the worthy man teaches his children and is the example they need.

Sometimes I feel like I ramble on about things and I feel like I do not get my point across but I hope men and women alike can get something out of this.

Please let me know what your thoughts are on this worthy man and woman.