I know what you’re thinking, and no… while I did watch The Good Wife the first season and found it enjoyable – this post is not in fact about the show.
It’s about something else altogether – something kind of different from our dear wife on television.
This is about the true definition of a Good Wife. The one set forth in Proverbs 31 – and what she might look like today.
Proverbs 31:10-31
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
I want to take just a moment to stop here and really look at these first three verses. As women, this is something we see our entire lives. We look for someone who sees us as more precious than jewels, who trusts us implicitly in all things, and that we never feel the need to walk away from. What kind of woman does it take to snare a man like this… well – read on!
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
Now I see this as the typical working mom here. This is the one we all know (and sort of envy a little). Even though we know she works tremendous hours… she still has time to:
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
Yeah, that gal – the one that’s up two hours before she needs to be because she cannot trust her family’s nutrition to just anyone. They will leave her care well fed from a home cooked breakfast.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
The powerhouse executive, who still makes plenty of time to make every single ballet recital, AWANA award ceremony, and Sunday morning program. She is a career woman, yes… but her family is an always will be a top priority in her life and it shows.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
And with everything else she has going on she still finds time to volunteer at the shelter, or church… never hesitates to prepare an extra meal for a family in need; and is usually the first name on the list for the prayer chain.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
If she doesn’t make them herself, she makes certain that her clothing and that of her family is a compliment to her husband and herself. She ensures that without wasting money, they all look good and wear clothing that is comfortable and clean. She doesn’t squander, but man she can make her kids look so cute with bargain finds!
23 Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
The fact that she is an amazing wife and mother shows in the fact that she is also an amazing friend and coworker. She’s known by everyone around her as one of the nicest and most giving people you’ll ever meet. Yet she is a fierce prayer warrior who stands in intercession for any and all who ask.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She never fails to be on time and ready with anything she needs to do. She shows the world her grace and silent strength. She does not fear the end of time for she knows her heart and the hearts of those she loves are right with the Lord and they will join him one day in His Kingdom.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She does not spend her spare time “catching up on Facebook” or doing unnecessary tasks. She spends her spare time doing things that have meaning, and that benefit her family.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Nobody has anything bad to say about this woman. She is loved by everyone she meets. She does not evoke jealousy among other women for they long to model themselves after her, and treasure her friendship and open advice. Her children nominate her for “Mom of the Year” every single year, and the essays they write bring tears to the judges eyes. Her husbands eyes never roam, for he knows that his heart, hearth, and home are are top priority and he loves the fact that she has eyes only for him. She makes him proud in the way she handles not only their household, but her working and church life as well.
This is the wife we should all strive to be. The woman we should all desire to become. The prescription for the Good Wife is right here in Proverbs. We could learn so much from her. We could become this wife – should we only try.
How do you see the Proverbs 31 wife?
Set in My Ways 