Scripture:

Proverbs 18:22 “Whosoever findeth a wife fineth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.”  & Proverbs 19:14 “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.”  

Wife-Place

Woman’s place is important; God has made it so and made her fit for filling it. Man is incomplete without her there is a vacuum about him which she alone can fill. It is here that her great strength lies. When she assumes an independent or rival place, she mistakes her mission and her power.

Man, though made for the throne of the world, was found unfit for the final investiture until he got his wife as a help meet. She became the completion of his capacity and title – she becomes his crown – Proverbs 12:4a “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.” Wife should find her place that God has given her; let her be what He made her necessary to husband, and not attempt to make herself independent of her husband. When the relations of Husband and wife move in fittings of truth and love, the working of the complicated machinery of life is a wonder to an observing husband, and a glory of the Creator God.

Septuagint – A good wife is meant (as the Septuagint has it), a virtuous, prudent helpmate, as in Proverbs 12:4a “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband” – Fineth grace = viz peace, union, plenty, order. “And obtaineth favour (good will) of the LORD” = as shown by the companion (consort) whom God has given him. Favour is rendered by the Septuagint as “cheerfulness,” “joyousness” (Proverbs 19:12b “King’s favour ……like dew upon the grass”).   

Ecclus xxvi.1 “Blessed is the man that hath a good wife, for the number of his days shall be double.” “A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and he shall fulfil the years of his life in peace. A good wife is a good portion which shall be given in the portion of them that fear the LORD. 

Talmud – “A good wife, says the Talmud, “is a good gift; she shall be given to a man that feareth God.”

(Dukes, p.69) And again, “God did not make woman from a man’s head that she should rule over him; nor from his feet, that she should not be his slave; but from his side, that she should be near his heart”

Latin – “He who casteth away a good wife casteth away a good thing (cheerfulness, joyousness – Septuagint; Proverbs 19:12b “King’s favour……like dew upon the grass”).

Parallel Bible Commentary – “A good wife is a gift from Yahweh (Jehovah). It is not blind chance that brings such a blessed union. She is one of the highest expressions of the LORD’s favour.”

The blessedness of finding a wife – The Bible does not regard marriage as “a failure,” nor does it treat celibacy as a saintly condition. Even Paul, the Apostle, who does not seem to have been a married man, and who is thought by some to undervalue marriage, gives to it a eulogium is describing the union of husband and wife as a copy of the mystical union of Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:22-32):

To be continued….. Stay Tuned.

• Family
• Wife