The last twenty-one verses of Proverbs 31 are about a good and virtuous wife.
There are some great character qualities for women to think about there – hardworking, generous, passionate, caring, industrious, a sacrificial heart, a good speaker, loves to laugh, and she enjoys her family.
When I look at these verses, I notice that the husband of this woman is mentioned 3 times.
Lets look at those 3 mentions and see if we can glean something for husbands today:
1. vs. 11 – Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
This husband trusts his wife. One version of this passage says that with her, “he has everything he needs’ . There must be Trust.
Not controlling. Not manipulation. Trust.
Do you believe that she has your best interests in mind? Do you believe that you are on the same team with her? Are you together on the some of the “biggies” in marriage – SEX, MONEY, CHILDREN, COMMUNICATION and INLAWS?
This husband trusts her and she enriches his life. When you are on the same team with your wife, it allows her to bring fullness to your life. When you trust, you allow her to be all she is, you build her up and allow her to grow and blossom into a beautiful woman. If you don’t trust, she is unable to thrive.
Wives – Do you give your husband the opportunity to trust you? Do you keep the things he tells you in confidence? Do you build him up, or tear him down with your words?
2. vs. 23 – Her husband is well known at the city gates where he sits with the other civic leaders.
This husband is respected by others. These section in Proverbs talks mainly about the woman being industrious and hardworking, but in this verse, we see that the husband ain’t no slacker. He’s involved with business and work going on in the city.
This is something we should all strive to be. Men who care about the decisions that are going on where we live. Our Villages, cities, states, nations…we should be involved, we should care about what is going on where we live.
The phrase – “Behind every good man is a good woman” comes to mind. Because of the wonderful relationship that this man has with his wife – he is free to be a decision maker, a mover and a shaker. She is such a woman of great character, that he is able to excel in the marketplace.
Together, this husband and wife are an amazing team.
Hubbys: Are you the kind of man that she can believe in?
Wifeys: What can your hubby do to help you believe in him?
3. vs. 28,29 – …Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
This guy knows how to give a compliment. “Other women are nice and all, but Sweet Lips – YOU are the cream of the crop.” (that’s the SGLT version – Stu Gray Living Translation)
We need to compliment our wives. They take care of so many things. My Beautiful Wife™ is a great “administrator” person – she’s good with the bills, she’s good with the organizing of the house, the laundry, the scheduling, the food we eat… and how much do I acknowledge that?
Not nearly enough.
The compliments and encouragements have to be real. They must be heart felt, and they can’t be generic. Think of something specific that your wife does and that makes your life easier…
Then tell her!!!
To be a Proverbs 31 Husband we should:
*Trust Our Wives!
*Be a Man Worthy of a Good Woman!
*Praise Her More Often!
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jbcurio provided the cool pic!
Stu & Lisa have been married 8 years (together 11) and have a heart to encourage couples in their marriages. They live in Middle Tennessee, have an awesome 6 year old, and a mutt named 'Boo'.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
AWESOME blog! I've actually posted this entire verse on the "Family" page of my website and am going to place a permanent link to this post. Because you break it down so wonderfully. Thanks for the great insight and keep it coming!
Thanks for the link love and the comment Kristin!!
AWESOME blog! I've actually posted this entire verse on the "Family" page of my website and am going to place a permanent link to this post. Because you break it down so wonderfully. Thanks for the great insight and keep it coming!
Thanks for the link love and the comment Kristin!!
Hi Mr. MarryBlogger! I am not even sure how I got this link but it is VERY GOOD and spot on the money. From a lady's point of view I can testify that trusting your wife enough to share with her and be open, being a man she can admire, and complimenting the zillions of little efforts she makes on your behalf–those are ways to keep your marriage affair-free.! And obviously being the Affaircare lady–I'm interested in keeping marriages FROIM affairs if possible.
Hi Mr. MarryBlogger! I am not even sure how I got this link but it is VERY GOOD and spot on the money. From a lady's point of view I can testify that trusting your wife enough to share with her and be open, being a man she can admire, and complimenting the zillions of little efforts she makes on your behalf–those are ways to keep your marriage affair-free.! And obviously being the Affaircare lady–I'm interested in keeping marriages FROIM affairs if possible.
yes… I need develop the first step
yes… I need develop the first step
Thanks for this Stu! You know, for years Christian women have been plagued (yep, I said plagued) with the pressure of becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman. She does so many amazing things and we want to do them too and we try so hard and rarely have even a moment of doing them as often and as well as she does. There are seriously many ministries, books and teachings on this subject. I got to wondering though, what about the Proverbs 31 Husband? Because clearly there is one! In fact, P31 wasn't even written to a woman but to a man! and I believe that the P31 Woman wouldn't be able to do even a 1/4 of what she does if her husband was a slacker or, in the current vernacular, not a P31 Man with the qualities you mentioned. See? It starts with the husband.
Annalea
Thanks for this Stu! You know, for years Christian women have been plagued (yep, I said plagued) with the pressure of becoming a Proverbs 31 Woman. She does so many amazing things and we want to do them too and we try so hard and rarely have even a moment of doing them as often and as well as she does. There are seriously many ministries, books and teachings on this subject. I got to wondering though, what about the Proverbs 31 Husband? Because clearly there is one! In fact, P31 wasn't even written to a woman but to a man! and I believe that the P31 Woman wouldn't be able to do even a 1/4 of what she does if her husband was a slacker or, in the current vernacular, not a P31 Man with the qualities you mentioned. See? It starts with the husband.
Annalea
Good stuff Annalea – and in our day and culture its not “PC” to say it starts with the husband. But I think it does too!!
I like that. Never read this perspective on Proverbs 31.
After a failed marriage and fearing a repeat, all my anxieties were put to rest after reading In search of the proverbs 31 man. Wow what an eye opener. It is a team effort that starts with the man. Women require LOVE from their men and Men REQUIRE respect from their woman. But the man has to put the woman first in his life for her to trust him enough to let go and be a joyful team player. To many people today in the USA are struggling with the roles we are to play and the equality issue. Our minds are trying to work it all out but that leaves little left for our hearts. Men need to buck up but don’t know how to and women need to trust them once they do. Us men cant do it without instruction though. We were not born with the wisdom of what women need from us. That is where the holy spirit comes in. I encourage all women and men to read the book and MEN, the bottom line is all that happens in your relationship is ultimately YOUR responsibility. If you are to be the leader/CEO of your family, you have to bear the brunt of all she does. But there is peace in it too when the woman trusts that you will cover her back just as the lord covers your back.
Another Fantastic post. All the best with your website! – *The Shirt Guy*
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