Proverbs 31:28-29

Proverbs 31:28-29 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."

As most people consider Proverbs 31 to be a "Good Wife Manifesto," there is a portion that often gets overlooked. While the qualities of a virtuous wife that are put forth are fruit of a relationship with God, we see that the wife is not alone in the endeavor of life. "Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her..." follow. Any good and virtuous wife will have a supporting and loving family behind her. Notice that the husband is the one giving her praise, reaffirming his love and thankfulness, telling her no doubt of his appreciation and pleasure with her virtuous activities.

It is interesting that when one is given attention, loved on, encouraged, and praised, their motivation to serve and be that person is greatly enhanced. We see the same thing in Ephesians 5 where the Lord shows us more about that special mutually encouraging relationship of the husband and wife.

Ephesians 5:21-28 submitting to one another in the fear of God. (22) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (24) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (26) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, (27) that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (28) So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

When a couple is first submitted to God (as the previous part of the chapter discusses) and then is submitted to one another, both are enabled to do their part, to fulfill the role that God intended them to fill. Then we see the husand's call in verse 25 and following, to love his wife as Jesus loves His future bride, the church (those that have given their lives to Him). If a husband is busy loving his wife in an active, serving, giving, selfless way, the wife will find it much easier to do what God has called her to. This doesn't mean the wife must wait for this treatment to do what God has called her to do, but how much easier it is to put trust in someone who consistenly loves you and is seeking your best? As the husband washes his wife in the water of the Word of God and doesn't misuse or abuse her, giving her wrinkles and spots, then she will be blessed and that praise will go far to motivate her to serve in love herself.

Also notice that after Eve, then Adam, ate of the fruit in the garden of Eden, God called for Adam. God held Adam responsible for the actions of his family. While individually we must deal with sin, the husband as the head of the family, is responsible to lead his family toward Christ and be the example of Christ that they need to see. When the husband rises and blesses and praises his wife for her loving service, the children will see and follow and the wife will not be able but to return that adoration.

Of course we would be remit to not mention that the Ephesians passage goes on to say that this wonderful giving and selfless and caring marriage is a picture of the relationship that our Lord desires with the church.

Ephesians 5:29-32 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. (30) For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. (31) "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (32) This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

He says that we are members of His body, of His flesh and bones, as a man and wife come together and become one flesh. So then we see that it is God's desire that we be one with Christ. As He has been a good and loving and giving husband, we see our need to submit to Him completely, trusting in Him, demonstrating by our obedience that we know that He will do what's best for Us. For us to be One with the God of the Universe is the plea of Christ as He prayed to the Father.

John 17:20-23 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; (21) "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. (22) "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (23) "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

What an awesome and loving and amazing God we have that He would want to love us and take us His bride, that He would want to be one with us! May we submit to His perfect and abiding love today and may the world see that the Father has sent Jesus and loved us with a perfect love!