THE VALUE OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN
Read Proverbs 12:1-14
In Proverbs 12, the contrast between the wisdom of righteousness and the foolishness of sin is continued.
This morning I was touched by the words of Proverbs 12:4, "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones."
Other than the relationship we have with God, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, no relationship is more important than that of a husband and wife. Two contrasting women are in view here. The virtuous woman is one who is strong, industrious, and morally fit. This type of woman is a tremendous help to her husband. She will be a good complement to her husband and thus be an effective partner to him. The contrast is that of a woman who acts shamefully and is an embarrassment to her husband. This woman is lazy, sloppy, and unproductive.
Mrs. Wendy Burks, the wife of Benjamin Burks of Reformers Unanimous, wrote her thoughts about Proverbs 12:4. The Title of her devotion is "The Good Wife."
"In the Old Testament, a crown was an external representation that was reserved for a king. The word King was used in the New Testament to mean ruler. The old English word ruler is a synonym for the modern English word leader. In other words, yesterday’s kings would be today’s leaders!
God Uses A Good Wife
With this word triple defined, we can better understand what this verse could mean in today’s vernacular. The husband is the leader of the home. He is the king of the family, so to speak. His crowning jewel is his wife. She is the person God uses to bring forth the king’s family.
She can make him, but she can break him, too. She holds the key to his kingdom. If she is morally pure, she places a crown on the head of her king: the husband, the leader of the home. Others see the value of his kingdom, the strength of his castle, and the beauty of his queen. Though he is the head of the home, everyone knows that she is the neck that turns the head. She is virtuous.
Satan wants to destroy the Good Wife
But, if she is not morally pure, then the king of the home has a big problem. Though he still leads the home, he has no confidence that his leadership is secure. Internally, he questions everything about his kingdom and is unable to trust in its people. He will begin to doubt every part of his life and will battle internally for many things and over many things. His kingdom is divided. He is divided. His queen is divided.
He will remain vulnerable and uncertain of his kingdom’s future. He will surely be attacked; and when he is, he will fight alone, for he knows not who is on his side. He will lose and his kingdom will be destroyed, dispersed, and delivered to another.
What a rotten way to lose your crown. From external beauty to internal decay. Some would say, “It’s good to be the king!” I would conclude it’s harder to be a queen."
May these words speak to everyone who is married.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. How would you describe the virtuous woman?
2. If you are a woman who is married, list three ways you can be an asset to your husband?
3. What does it mean for a woman to be “as rottenness to his (her husband) bones”?
4. How can a wife, “make or break” her husband?