Introduction The strong and virtuous

woman described here is a model for women to strive after and for men to look for. She is not man-made or self-made; rather she is most emphatically God-made--House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD, Proverbs 19:14.

Proverbs 31:10-31 presents the Bible's most complete and beauti-ful picture of what a good wife should be. She is capable, ambitious, a willing worker: she is kind, wise, trustworthy, cheerful, providing for her household and reaching beyond. She knows her worth. She uses to good purpose her intelligence, her physical strength, her God-fearing character. She makes life abun-dant for her husband, their chil-dren, and for the poor and needy beyond their family circle. A remilIkable woman!.- Larry Christenson, The Christian Family, p. 34.

Exposition I. (31:10) THE IDENTITY OF

THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN The phrase, translated by

some as a virtuous woman, and by others as an excellent wife, is literally in Hebrew, a woman of many parts. She is many faceted, with many sides to her personality, having many gifts, strengths and talents. She is the truly liberated woman, who in no way is suppressed, for she leads a full, meaningful and productive life and uses all her gifts and strengths for her home.

Some also have translated the phrase as a woman of strength, which this virtuous woman most certainly is. She is made strung "by wisdom and grace, and the fear of God ... So it follows, a virtuous woman is a woman ... who has the command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other people 's, one that is pious and industrious, and a help meet for a man. - A virtuous woman is a woman of resolution, who, having espoused good prinCiples, is firm and

Rev. Joe :'vIore( uft, III

steady to them, and will not be frightened with winds and clouds from any part of her duty."-Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Vol. 3, p, 801.

II. (31:10) THE PRICELESS VALUE AND RARITY OF A

VIRTUOUS WOMAN Her worth is far above

jewels, not only because of who she is, but because her kind is hard to find. She is a rarity in this world. "A virtuous woman is not found by every one, she is found by comparatively few. -Such a wife is a more precious possession than all earthly things which are precious, and ... he who finds such a one has to speak of his rare fortune."- Keil & Delitzsch, Commentaries on the Old Testament, Proverbs, Vol. II, p. 327,

Perhaps one reason for the

rarity of the gift is that it is so seldom sought. Tho often is the search made for accomplishments, not for virtues." - Charles Bridges, AN EXPOSmON OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, p. 620.

III. (31:11.27) THE CHARACTER OF THE VIRTUOUS W.oMAN

A. (31:11) THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND TRUSTS IN HER, AND HE WILL HAVE

NO LACK OF GAIN The heart of her husband can

rest in her whom he loves, knowing that as he goes out to work, the home is safe in the hands of his virtuous wife. He does not worry about the manage-ment of the home, because he is confident he can

trust his wife to do what is right and wise and necessary.

This virtuous woman COD-ducts herself in such a way that her husband can place his full confidence in her.

He trusts in her chastity, which she never gave him the least occasion to suspect or to entertain any jealousy of. : .He trusts in her conduct, that she will speak in all . companies, and act in all affairs, with prudence and discretiOn, so as not to occasion him either damage or reproach. He trusts in her fidelity to his interests, and that she will never betray his counsels nor have any interest separate from that of his family: When he goes abroad, to attend the concerns of the public, he can confide in her to order all his affairs at home, as well as if he himself were there. She is a good wife that is fit to be trusted, and he is a good husband

10 - THE COUNSEL ofChalcedon - December, 1998 - January, 1999

that will leave it to such a wife that he envies not those who have most of the wealth of this world; he needs it not. he has enough. having such a wife. Happy the couple that have such satisfaction as this in each other." - Ma11hew Henry. p.802.

With such a priceless wife. for her husband "the home is the home of his heart." - Bridges. p. 621

B. (31:12) SHE DOES HIM GOOD AND NOT EVIL ALL

THE DAYS OF HER LIFE The wife is oriented toward

her husband. and then to her children. in all she does. She loves him and is willing to live for him. doing him good and not evil all the days of her life. She wants to be to him a perpetual spring of nothing but good.

She shows her love for him. not only in sweet tokens of physical affection. but also in endearing practical ways as well. She tries to be sensitive to his moods. knowing that soft words turn away wrath. She provides what he needs both in health /\Od sickness. and she cares for him diligently and tenderly when anything troubles him. She would not deliberately do anything in the world to hurt him in any way.

And she is to do her husband good and not evil all the days of her life. not only in tlle early days of marriage. not simply now and then. not just when she is in a good mood and feels like it. but all the days of her life. She does him good. not only all the days of HIS life. but all the days of HER life. If she outlives him. she still is to do him good in the care of their children. their property. his good name.

and all the concerns he left behind.

C. (31:13) SHE LOOKS FOR WOOL AND FLAX,

AND WORKS WITH HER HANDS IN DELIGHT

She does her daily chores cheerfully and not grudgingJyor bitterly. as many women do today. Why is it that many modern women do not enjoy being a housewives or home-makers. seeing these positions as degrading to women? It is because they do not enjoy doing daily chores. Instead they complain about their oppressed condition as women in a man's world. "Yet doing chores is part of what being alive in God's world is all about [for women and for men)."- Jay Adams. Christian Livillg ill the Home. p. 78. Each sex and each person has his or her divinely-assigned calling. which includes a variety of responsibilities and chores.

What really counts is whether or not you can learn to delight in your work. whatever your task is. 'The Biblical picture of the liberated woman describes her as one who has learned to do her job in delight"- Jay Adams. p. 79.

She sees her housework as a "Hallelujahing of Jehovail." as part of her God-given calling for life.

And notice the last part of the verse. Pleasure. love for her work and delight in it are attrib-uted to hands. Her hands are active after the pleasure of her heart because she knows she is busy in the service of her Savior and of her husband and family. In fulfilling all the responsibilities. privileges and chores that go with homemaking. the virtuous

woman is doing what her heart loves to do. Do you serve your husband and family like this?

D. (31:14) SHE IS LIKE MERCHANT SHIPS;

SHE BRINGS HER FOOD FROM AFAR

She searches far and wide for the best bargains and the finest quality for her family. In this sense she is like a merchant ship. Because she schedules her time and budgets her money in the care of her family. she makes every effort to purchase for her family the best she can afford. She is always on fue alert for sales. bargains. and garage sales. E. (31:15) SHE RISES ALSO WHILE IT IS STILL NIGHT, AND GIVES FOOD TO HER HOUSEHOLD, AND POR-TIONS TO HER MAIDENS

In order to accomplish all she does. she cannot waste time; so she lives by a reasonable sched-ule. often arising early and staying up late. All that she does in providing for her household takes time, and so she often must arise before dawn to serve her fami! y and serv ants break-fast, so they will be ready to go about their work cheerfully as soon as day breaks. She is willing to arise before dawn because she places the well-being of her household above her own comfort. and because her care for her family brings her deep satisfaction and joy.

Some are quick to paint out that this woman did all she did because she had maiden.s, i.e . hired housekeepers, to help her. Some wives may say. "If I had a housekeeper to help me. I could do the other things she does." Let me respond to this common

December, 1998 - January, 1999. THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon-11

attitude by saying fonr things, two for husbands and two for wives. (1). Husbands, save and budget your money so as to hire some reliable Christian woman regularly or full-time, to help your wife with housekeeping, if at all possible. (2). Wives, train your children to love to help you with housework. (3). Husbands, help your wife with the house-work on occasion. Pick up and clean up after yourself. (4). Wives, thank God that you do have a few metaphorical "maid-ens" to assist you, which your ancestors never thought about:. refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers, gar-bage disposals, vacuum cleaners, trash compactors. But even with all these appliances, it still would be a great help, if you husbands could provide for your wives some hired help.

In arising before the servants to feed them, we see self-denial in action in this virtuous woman. She "goes before her servants in diligence, no less than in dignity; imposing nothing upon them, which she had not first bound upon herself, ruling her house-hold most efficiently by the government of herself."-Bridges, p. 623.

One of the best historical examples of this self-denying, hard-working virtuous woman was the mistress of the planta-tion in the Old South. She was "the keystone of the domestic economy which bound all the rest of the structure [of the plantation and mansion] and gave it its strength and beauty. From early mom till mom again the most important and delicate concerns of the plantation were her charge and care. From superintending the setting of the

turkeys to fighting a pestilence, there was nothing which was not her work. She was mistress, manager, doctor, nurse, counse-lor, seamstress, teacher, housekeeper. .. all at once. She was at the beck and call of every one, especially of her husband, to whom she was 'guide, philosopher and friend. '

"What she was only her husband knew, and even he stood before her in dumb, half-amazed admiration, as he might before the inscrutable vision of a superior being. What she really was, was known only to Ood. Her life was one long act of devotion-devotion to 00

than likely, an accumulative list of her accomplishments over her entire life as wife and mother. She probably did not do all of these things at the same time, but at different times in her life. Furthermore, it must be recog-nized that this is an extraordinary woman, a model all Christian women should strive to imitate.

She dabbled in real estate. She had great abilities and her husband recognized and appreci-ated them, without being envious of them or intimidated by her superiorities. As a good man-ager, who knows how to del-egate assignments to those who can do a better job in their execution than he, he agreed that she may handle such matters as this on her own. But, once again, it must be emphasized her business ability is used for the benefit of her home. Sister, if your work outside the home detracts from your role as wife and mother, quit the outside work today. It is not worth the price you and your family will have to pay!

She not only buys real estate, she makes it productive with the money she had earned previ-ously. Furthermore, she loved to work in the dirt, gardening with her grape vines.

G. (31:17) SHE GIRDS HERSELF WITH

STRENGTH, AND MAKES HER ARMS STRONG

Not only does she stay in good physical condition, in order to have the stamina to do all she must do as a wife and mother; but also "strength is as the girdle which she wraps around her body. - Thus girded with strength, out of this fullness of strength she makes finn or steels her arms."-Keil, p. 331.

H. (31:18) SHE SENSES THAT HER GAIN IS GOOD; HER LAMP DOES NOT GO

OUT AT NIGHT The benefit and profit she

receives as a result of her hard work and wise investing stimu-lates this unwearied woman to renewed work and diligence in her calling. The profit of her labors and her appreciation for making a profit, "spur on her active industry to redoubled effort, and at times, when she is not fully occupied by tlle over-sight of her fields and vineyard, she has another employment over which her light goes not out till far in the night." - Keil, p. 331. She is also a seamstress. I. (31:19) SHE STRETCHES OUT HER HANDS TO THE

DISTAFF, AND HER HANDS GRASP THE SPINDLE

That which motivates this excellent wife is not selfishness or narrow-mindedness, nor limited concern for no one outside the circle of her family. Her motivation is love-love for God, love for her family, and love for those outside her family who stand in need of her help, as we will see in the next verse.

J. (31:20) SHE EXTENDS HER HAND TO THE POOR;

AND SHE STRETCHES OUT HER HANDS TO

THE NEEDY Verses 19 and 20 comprise a

beautiful picture: The virtuous woman stretching out her hands to her work makes it possible for her to stretch out her hands to tllose who are in need.

With sympathy and readiness to help, she presents herself to those who are oppressed by the misfor-tunes of life as if for an alliance, as

if saying: place your confidence in me, I shall do whatever I can-there you have my hand! - She stretches out to him both of her hands, that he might grasp them, both of them, or whichever he may. She does not throw to him merely a gift from a distance, but above all she gives to him to experience her warm sympathy. - This one verse (20) is com-plete in itself as a description of character; and the author has done well in choosing such strong expressions, for, WitllOUttllis sympathy with misery and poverty, she, so good and trustworthy and industrious, might indeed be pleasing to her husband, but not to God.- Keil, pp. 333,34.

K. (31:21) SHE IS NOT AFRAID OF THE SNOW FOR

HER HOUSEHOLD, FOR ALL HER HOUSEHOLD

ARE CLOTHED WITH SCARLET

Snow in the rainy season is not rare in Palestine; and it is often accompanied with freezing cold. The virtuous woman knows cold weather is approach-ing without any fear for her family, because she has already plarmed allead and has made wann woolen clotlling for them all.

Why is this woolen clothing described as scarlet? Being wool it preserves warmth, and being scarlet it is attractive and dignified. II Samuel 1 :24 de-scribes one as clothed .. .Iuxuriously in scarlet. She makes sure her family are neatly and attractively dressed, not slovenly, dirty, or sloppy or careless.

L. (31:22) SHE MAKES COVERINGS FOR HERSELF;

December, 1998 January, 1999 THE COUNSEL of Cha\cedon 13

HER CLOTHING IS FINE LINEN AND PURPLE

Both she and her children have warm and fine clothing because she has made the clothing herself. She makes beautiful pillows and tapestries for her bedroom, and also clothes herself in costly attire. ("Purple" was costly garments imported from Tyre and Sidon.) As Matthew Henry as well said, "She has rich clothes and puts them on well."- p. 803. It is possible to pay too much atten-tion to dress (I TImothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3) and it is possible to pay too little attention to dress. Human beings are unified physical-spiritual personalities; therefore, physical appearance and inner dispositions are inter-related. We show on the outside what we are on the inside. Furthermore, people should dress according to their place and position in life, according to their role and function, and in consid-eration of the situation before them. Cleanliness is not next to godliness; cleanliness, insofar as it is pOSSible, is a part of godli-ness. Physical beauty is vain only when it is idolized and sought after apart from the fear of God. A woman who fears the Lord will try her best to dress attractively; modestly, femininely and well.

Even in isolated seclusion some regard [for manner of dress by the virtuous woman] wonld be due; much more, as suited to the gradation which Providence has assigned; and as commanding an husband's respect, who justly claims, that his wife's exterior, so far as she is concerned, should continue to be not less pleasing, than when at first his heart was draWn to her.- Bridges, p. 624.

M. (31:23) HER HUSBAND IS KNOWN IN THE GATES, WHEN HE SITS AMONG

THE ELDERS OF THE LAND The husband of the virtuous

woman was involved in local government. We know that because the local magistrates would sit at the gates of the city for official meetings. He had arisen to a place of political and religious prominence as an elder in the city, BECAUSE HE HAD SUCH AN EXCELLENT WIFE. She had faithfully helped him rise to be one of the influen-tial men in the city. "She ad-vances the estimation and the respect in which her husband is held."- Keil, p. 336. As Prov-erbs 12:4 says: An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones.

By his wise counsels, and prudent management of affairs, it appears that he has a discreet companion fu his bosom, by conversation with whom he improves himself. By his cheerful countenance and pleasant [disposi-tion] it appears that he has an agreeable wife at home; for many that have not have their tempers strangely soured by it. Nay, by his appearing clean and neat in his dress, everything about him decent and handSOme, yet not gaudy, one may know he has a good wife at home, that takes care of his clothes. - Matthew Henry, p. 802. '

N. (31:24) SHE MAKES LINEN GARMENTS AND SELLS THEM, AND SUP-

PLIES BELTS TO THE TRADESMEN

She had several small busi-nesses on the side for the benefit

of her home. When should a wife and mother become in-volved in home businesses? "The key to whether ajob is fitting or not lies solely in whether the job helps or hinders her family." Jay Adams, p. 82. One of these businesses was the production of a light smock-frock, a summer dress, worn on the bare body, i.e., lingerie (1).

O. (31:25) STRENGTH AND DIGNITY ARE HER

CLOTHING, AND SHE SMItES AT THE FUTURE She is clothed inwardly with

strength, and her countenance is one of peace and dignity. She carries herself in public, before her children and before her husband, with humility and dignity. She looks to God to empower her weakness with His all-sufficient grace to be able to cope with and grow from all the changes and crises of life, which so easily shatter and ruin people and families built on foundations of sand and not o.n Jesus Christ. Her clothing is spiritual strength, true dignity, trust in the Lord, righteousness of life, and wisdom of thought, With which she looks confideritly into the future, and is thus armed against all sorrow and trouble.

She has the comfort and satisfaction of her virtue in her own mind - She enjoys a fimmess and constancy of mind, has spirit to bear up under the many crosses and disappointments which even the wise and virtuous must expect to meet with in this world; and this is her clothing, for defense as well as decency.-Matthew Henry, p. 804.

She smiles at the future. She has a victory-orientation toward the future, full of conti-

14 THE COUNSEL ofChaIcedon December, 1998 - January, 1999

dent assurance thllt the future belongs to her, because she belongs to Christ, full offaith that God will be faithful to His Word and that the providence, of God wiII cause all things to work together for her good and the good of her family as they love God and serve Him, Romans 8:28.

One can criticize this virtuous woman by modern feminist standards all she wants, but it cannot be argued otherwise-this woman is a happy and fulfilled woman! This fact rings out in every verse in her descrip-tion.

She is a womall in every sense of that great word. Every gift ,that she has received from God has been developed and is being used. Her personality is not squashed. She is not dragged around by the hair by her husband. The Biblical picture is that of a liberated woman submittingjoyfuUy to the headship of her husband and living cheerfully for him. She is deeply involved in the exciting project of discovering alllhat God meant for a woman to be when He made her to be her husband's helper. She is his helpernotjust in physical work ... but also in thinking through problems, and making decisions.-Jay Adams, p. 82.

P. (31:26) SHE OPENS HER MOUTH IN WISDOM, AND THE TEACHING OF KIND-NESS IS ON HER TONGUE

I.The Wisdom in Her Mouth A careful observer can

perceive by her conversation how much this virtuous woman is governed by wisdom, which comes only by believing and worshipful study of God's Word and prayer.' When she speaks, "it is wisdom pressing itself from

her heart outward by means of which she breaks the silence of hermouth."- Keil, p. 338. "Her wisdom and kindness together put a commanding power into all she says; they command respect, they command compliance. How forcible are right words!"-Matthew Henry, p. 804.

2. The Law of Kindness on Her Tongue

In verse 26, the NASV has the phrase, the teaching of kindness, and the KJV has the law of kindness. Kindness is both the marmer and message of her teaching. The word is hesed in Hebrew denoting love, grace, loyalty, bonded covenant faithful-ness, mercy. It is that love that fulfills the law of God, Romans 13:10. The closest N.T. phrase to the teaching of kindness is the word of His grace, Acts 20:32. Her instruction was focused on the covenant of grace, indicating that she was theologically minded. She spoke graciously about grace.

This virtuous woman not only had the law of love in her heart, she had wisdom in her mouth and the law of kindness on her tongue. "The same love that binds her heart governs her tongne."- Bridges, p. 625

This wom1\ll is intellectually active. She knows how to apply her thoughts to people's Jives with WISDOM. And what an effective communicator of wisdom she is. Notice that Proverbs 31 was written by a King Lemuel, who recorded what his mother taught him, Proverbs 31 : 11!! This descrip-tion of an excellent wife was written by a woman! I Two things should be emphasized regarding the wisdom and grace to be taught by virtuous women.

First, the wisdom a wife-and-mother teaches her family comprehends all of life. King Lemuel's mother taught him about the exercise of self-diSCipline and godly dominion in all areas of life. Notice the outline of Proverbs 31.

1. (31: 1-9) The Management of Self, and of Social & Civil Affairs

a.(31:3-5) Words of Warning (1).Beware ofirnmorality (2).Beware of dnmkenness (3).Enjoy wine wisely b.(31 :6-9) Words of Counsel (1). Be compassionate (2).Be dedicated to justice 2. (31:10-31) The Management

of Family Affairs Second, the life-embracing

wisdom King Lemuel's mother taught him was poetically writ-ten. Lemuel more than likely was recording, not only his mother's ideas, but the poem his mother wrote. This appears to be the case from the use of the word oracle or burden in Proverbs 31: 1 to describe what Lemuel received from his mother-The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him. This word is used in the prophetic books of the Bible when it describes a divinely-revealed, verbal revela-tion from God to His people that is to be presented "as is" to the people with no alterations. If this is the case, then Lemuel's virtuous mother appreciated good literature and had the gift to write poetry. Proverbs 31 is superb Hebrew poetry, not only because of the imagery and the brilliant use of parallelisms, but also because the entire section of31:10-31 is an acrostic. The

December, 1998 - January, 1999 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon -15

poet praises the virtuous woman through all the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. each verse beginning with a different letter of the alphabet sequen-tially.

Q. (31:27) SHE LOOKS WELL TO THE WAYS OF HER HOUSEHOLD, AND

DOES NOT EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS

She is observant of all the comings and goings in her household. "In her household. order is the principle of her rule. Timely orders are given. and they must be obeyed." - Bridges. p.625.

When verse 27 says she looks well to the ways of her household. it is not only dili-gence to the external routine of duties that concerns her. "While she exercises sound discipline and maternal anxiety. her pri-mary principle is a Christian conscience for their highest interests; looking well to their moral habits. their religious instruction. and attendance on the means of grace; giving them time for secret prayer. and reading the word of God. bring-ing them to the daily ordinance offamily worship; inculcating the careful observance of the Sabbath; anxiously watching over their manners. habits. and connections."- Bridges. p. 625.

IV. (31:28-31) THE BLESSEDNESS OF THE

VIRTUOUS WOMAN A. (31:28-29) HER

CHILDREN RISE UP AND BLESS HER; HER HUSBAND

ALSO, AND HE PRAISES HER, SAYING: ''MANY

DAUGHTERS HAVE DONE NOBLY, BUT YOU

EXCEL THEM ALL"

This is the beginning of the grand finale of this song of praise of the virtuous woman. Her children rise up in reveren-tial honor and bless her in thanksgiving to God for her and in expressions of gratitude to her. along with the verbal praises of her husband. They bless and praise her because "she has on her part brought the house and them to such prosperity. such a position of respect. and to a state where love [hesed] reigns. and her husband rises up and sings her praise." - Keil. p. 340

The husband's song of praise of his wife is in verse 29-Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. He is praising her for her bravery. energy. purity. love. grace. faithfulness and diligence in her calling. He is saying. in effect. to his wife: "Many noble women live in this world. but they are no comparison to you. You are excellent and incomparable!" Her husband is so happy with her that he takes every opportu-nity to praise her to others and to herself.

What greater earthly happiness could she know. than her children's reverence and her husband's blessing? We may picture to ourselves her condition---crowned with years; her children grown up; perhaps themselves surrounded with families. and endeavoriog to train them. as themselves had been trained. Their mother is constantly before their eyes. Her tender guidance. her wise counsels. her loviog disciplioe. her holy example. are vividly kept in remembrance. They cease not to call her blessed. and to bless the Lord for her. as His invaluable gift. No less wannly does her husband praise her. His attachment to her was

grounded. not on the deceitful and vain channs of beauty. but on the fear of the Lord. She is therefore in his eyes to the end. the stay of his declining years. the soother of his cares. the counselor of his perplexities. the comforter of his sorrows. the sunshine of his earthly joys.- Bridges. p. 627

B. (31:30) CHARM IS DE-CEITFUL AND BEAUTY IS

VAIN, BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, SHE

SHALL BE PRAISED 1. The Value of Charm. Beauty

and the Fear of the Lord Charm (favor) is deceitful

because the man who values his wife only because of her physi-cal beauty is deceived by it. Beauty is vain when idolized or separated from the fear of the Lord. It is also fading. "The true value of a wife is measured only by that which is enduring. according to the moral back-ground of its external appear-ance; accordiog to the piety which makes itself manifest when the beauty of bodily form has faded away. in a beauty which is attractive." - Keil. p. 341.

That which completes and crowns her character is that she fears the Lord. Beauty does not recommend anyone to God. nor is it a certain indication of the possession of wisdom and goodness. Physical beauty has deceived many men who have determined their choice of a wife by it alone. "There may be an impure deformed soul lodged in a comely and beautiful body."-Matthew Henry. p. 804.

But the fear of God reigning in the heart is the beauty of the soul; it recommends those that have it to the favor of God. and is. io His

16 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - December, 1998 January, 1999

sight. of great price; it will last forever. and bid defiance to death itself. which consumes the beauty of the body. but consunuuates the beauty of the soul. - Matthew Henry. p. 804.

2. The Certainty of Praise for the Virtuous Woman

Virtue will have its praise. This virtuous woman will be highly and incontestably praised. "She leaves it to her own works to praise her. and does not court the applause of men. Those are none of the truly virtuous women that love to hear 111emselves commended."- Matthew Henry. p. 804. The virtuous woman does not seek 111e praise of men or women. She is content to be known and loved within her own circle of family, church and neighbors. "never pressing herself iuto notice. "- Bridges. p. 627.

C. (31:31) GIVE HER THE PRODUCT OF HER HANDS,

AND LET HER WORKS PRAISE HER IN THE GATES

The product of her hands are the good works that she has done day in and day out that have benefited so many people. Now. as 111e Lord promises. those blessings will come back to her for her own enjoyment-Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions. Isaiah 3:10.

This verse is a divine com-mand. Thank her and !hank God for the product of her hands which has meant such blessings to us. This life of good works is her best praise. She shall be praised for her virtue in high places where people are as-sembled. e.g . the gates. "They honor themselves who seek to

praise the works of such a woman. which carry in them-selves their own commenda-tion."- Keil. p. 342. Jesus makes this same point in his Sermon on the Mount. when He said: Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16.

V. THE WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD

A. WHAT DO WOMEN LIVE FOR?

I.Favor a. Among O!her Women (1). Their purpose in living is

to impress other women of fine taste. culture. wealth and intelli-gence that they are their equals. or even superiors.

(2). These women are slaves to worry. frustration. jealousy. envy and bitterness.

b.AmongMen (1). Some live to be recog-

nized for 111eir liberation and equality with men.

(2). Some live to be sexually stimulating to men.

c. However Favor is Deceitful (1). Among women. If you

live for 111eir favor. they will hate you or see through you.

(2). Among men. Live for them and they will use. manipu-late and take advantage of you.

2. Beauty. i.e . Perpetual. Unchanging Youthfulness

Beauty is good and God-given. but it becomes ugliness when it is lived for idolatrously.

Nothing is more tragic than a woman who refuses to admit to herself 11mt she is aging?

Beauty is vain. i.e., it fades. And the woman who lives for it will be a slave to fear and self-centeredness. There are few things uglier than an older woman trying to look as she did when she was a very young woman. by means of cosmetics and surgery.

3. God. to Fear and Please Hinl To live for favor or beauty is

to be man's woman. and 111at is slavery. To live for God is to be God's woman. and 111at is true freedom.

A woman who fears 111e Lord is the most beautiful woman in 111e world. This fear makes her unique and attractive to Christian eyes. Without this godly fear. al1 of her other qualities are per-verted and misshapen. B. WHAT DOES THIS FEAR OF THE LORD IN WOMEN

LOOK LIKE? I.The Centrality of the Fear of

God in the Christian Life: the Fear of111e Lord is the Principal Thing

God Requires of His People The conclusion, when all has

been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person, Ecclesiastes 12: 13

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruc-tion, Proverbs 1:7.

The fear of the Lord is the soul of godliness-And Abra-ham said, "Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife. Genesis 20: 11. (See also Job 1:8. Proverbs 9:10.1:7. Genesis 20:11. Isaiah 11:2.3. Luke 1:50. II Corin111ians 7:1. Colossians 3:22. Acts 9:31.) The

December, 1998 - January, 1999 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon -17

church walks in the fear of the Lord because the Spirit of Christ indwells, fills , directs and em-powers the church; and because the Holy Spirit is the creator of this fear in our hearts for He is Tbe Spirit of the fear of the Lord, Isaiah 11 :2. The fear of the Lord gives the most practical and mundane of d1.\ties their impetus-Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth .. with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord, Colossians 3 :22. And the fear of the Lord realizes the highest reaches of sanctifica-tion-Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, II Corinthians 7: 1.

I call it the highest duty, be-cause itis not only a duty itself, but, as it were, it is the salt that seasons every duty. For there is no dUty performed by us that can by any means be accepted of God, if it be not seasoned with godly fear.- John Bunyan, THE FEAR OF GOD

2. The Nature of the Fear of the Lord

It [fear of God) is that affec-tionate reverence by which the child of God bends himselfhumbly and carefully to his Father's law. His wrath is so bitter, and His love so sweet, that hence springs an earnest desire to ph~ase Him.-Bridges

a. The Two Elements of the Fear of the Lord

(1.)FearoftheHoly and Righteous Judgmentof Abnighty God

My flesh tremble.s for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgments, Psalm 119:120.

(See also Deuteronomy 17:13, 21:21, Psalm 119:120,27:1,3:6, Philippians 2:12,13, Romans U :20,21, Matthew 10:28.) True faith trembles before revealed Divine threatenings-For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedi-ence received a just recom-pense, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salva-tion, Hebrews 2: If. A God-fearing person is one who knows contrition of heart for his sio; and who always takes into account the righteous judgment of God before whom he will stand.

(2.) Awe, Reverence and Adoration Before the Glory,

Majesty, Beauty and Resplendent Transcendence of God .

Great and marvelous are Thy works, 0 Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who will not fear,O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy , Revelation 15 :34

(See also Isaiah 6: If, Revela-tion 15:3.4,1:13f.) God sonie-times overwhelms us as He did the seraphim and Isaiah in Isaiah 6. To know God at all is to fear Him, for to know Him is to know Him who is majestic in holi-ness.

The fear of God in us is that frame of heart and mind which reflects our apprehension of wbo and what God is; and who and what God is will tolerate nothing less than total commitment to Him.- John Murray, PRINCIPLES OF CONDUcr

B. THE ACCOMPANI-MENTS, FRUIT AND ..

STIMULANTS OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

(1). An all-pervasive sense of the presence of God-Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. In take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the , sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me, Psalm 139:7-10. .

(2). An all-pervasive sense of our dependence upon God and of our responsibility to Him in all we do and think-Cor us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by. whom Ilre all things, and we 'exist through Him, I Corinthians 8:6. (See also Psalm 139:1-6,13-16, 23,24, Acts 17:26-28, Romans 11 :36, I Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 2:10, Revelation 4: 1 i.)

(3). A constant consciousness of our relation to God. The first thought of the godly person in every circumstance is God's relationship to him and to the . circumstance, and his and its relationship to God. That is God-consciousness; and that is what the fear of God is.

(4). Obedience to God. Consider Abraham. Next to his faith in God's promise, instant obedience to God is the out-standing feature of Abraham's life-Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see

18 - THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon - December, 1998 - January, 1999

that faith was working with his works, and as a result of works, faith was perfected, James 2:21-22. And it was because he feared the Lord that he obeyed the Lord's voice. He could offer up his child of promise because he feared God. Nothing had value or meaning for Abraham except in terms of his relationship to God. Paul said that he counted everything as "dung" compared to his relation to God in Christ. This means that the fear of the Lord shows itself in withholding nothing from God, however dear to us it may be, Genesis 22: 12. Furthermore, when we fear God we learn to hate evil-The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate, Proverbs 8: 13, and we depart from it-By the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil, Proverbs 16:6

3. The Blessings of the Fear of the Lord

(a). Those who fear God wiII not Iack-O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want [IackJ. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing, Psalm 34:9,10. (See also Proverbs 15:16, Psalm 112: 1,3, Proverbs 22:4.)

(b). Those who fear God wiII be content with their work and family-How blessed is every-one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. You wife shall be like a fruit-ful vine, within your house,

your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD, Psalm 128:1-4.

(c). Those who fear God will be in utmost safety with no reason to fear anything or anybody else-The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil, Proverbs 19:23.

(d). Those who fear the Lord will have prolonged lives-The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened, Proverbs 10:27.

(e). The heart, eye and hand of God rest upon those who fear Him.

(I). God's Heart-Just as a father has compassion on his children, SQ the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him,Psalm 103:13.

(2). God's Eye-Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine,Psalm 33:18.

(3). God's Hand-How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, Psahn 31:19

C. HOW IS TIDS FEAR OF THE LORD TO BE OB-

TAINED & EXPERIENCED? First, study the Bible to know

God and to know His wiII for you-Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD, Psahn 34: 11. The one who despises

the Word will be in debt to it, but the one who fears the commandment will be re-warded, Proverbs 13: 13.

Second, pray earnestly that God would stir up your heart with knowledge of Him to fear Him, that He would tum your knowledge about God into personal knowledge of God-Teach me Thy way, 0 LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will give thanks to Thee, 0 Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Thy name forever, Psalm 86:11-12. For if you cry for discern-ment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the LORD, and discover the knowledge of God, Prov-erbs 2:3-5.

Third, believe that dread of God can be turned into affection-ate fear of God through Jesus Christ, because judgment fell on Christ instead of on us-He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds we were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls, I Peter 2:24-25.

Conclusion 1. Wives, memorize this

passage and make it your daily companion and the pattern for your life, which pattern you will not reach without faith in Christ, submission to His Word, fear of God and dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

December, 1998 - January, 1999 - THE COUNSEL ofChalcedon -19

2. Mothers. have your daugh-ters memorize Proverbs 31:10-21.

3. Single men. look for this kind of woman to be your wife. Make sure you are worthy of such a woman by being a God-fearing man yourself.

How valuable also is this picture. as a directory for the marriage choice! Let virtue not beauty be the primary object. Set agIDnst the vanity of beauty the true bappiness connected with a . woman"wbo fears the Lord. Here is the solid basis for happiness. "If." says Bishop Beveridge. "I chOose her for her beauty. I shall love ber no longer than while that continues; and then farewell at once both duty and delight. But if 1 love ber for her virtues; then. thougb all other sandy foundations

fail. yet will my happiness remain entire."" Bridges. p. 628

4. If this full length portrait of a virtuous woman is a model of godliness. we must observe that

" total devotion to the Lord does not in any way slacken our attentionto temporal. social and physical responsibilities. Rather. "it renders a woman [and a man]. scrupulously exact in all her household obligations. in everything within her province; careful riot by ber negligence to bring reproach upon her holy profession [offaith in Christ]."-Bridges. p. 628.

5. Thus we conclude our study of "this looking-glass [mirror] for ladies. which they are desired to open and dress themselves by; and. if they do so.

their adorning wilt be found to praise. and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."-Matthew Henry. p. 805.

I "Wisdom" in the book of Proverbs is deep INSIGHT into the true nature of things that comes with an increasing under-standing of the Bible; and the SKll.L to apply these insights practically to our everyday lives.

1 Aging does not mean the loss of beauty to those who love you. As an older man told me once. the reason older women look beautiful to him now. whereas they did not when he was a youngman. is

be~ause. as he has aged. his eyes have grown older as well. What once was not attractive to him, is now attractive.

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