An Ode to Women

As I am finishing up the book of Proverbs today, one of the things that strikes me is that Proverbs can be pretty tough on women.  Especially contentious (or in todays terms  _itchy) women.  Take a look.

Proverbs 21:9(NKJV)

9    Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,      Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Proverbs 25:24(NKJV)

24    It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,      Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Proverbs 27:15(NKJV)

15    A continual dripping on a very rainy day      And a contentious woman are alike;

And this is just a small example.  There were several more similar to this.  That is why reading Proverbs 31 has been so refreshing.  Starting in verse 10 and going for the rest of the chapter is what I call an ode to women.  There's a lot of great stuff there although some of it doesn't apply for many people today.  Here is an example of what I mean about things that don't apply today.

Proverbs 31:14(NKJV)

14    She is like the merchant ships,     She brings her food from afar.

Now my wife brings our food from Meijer.  Sometimes she goes all the way to Sam's Club.  Does that qualify as "from afar"?

I happen to have been blessed with a really great wife and so I hope you don't mind but I'm going to highlight the verses that I think most reflect her.

Proverbs 31:10-12(NKJV)

10    Who£ can find a £virtuous wife?      For her worth is far above rubies.

11    The heart of her husband safely trusts her;     So he will have no lack of gain.

12    She does him good and not evil     All the days of her life.

Proverbs 31:20-21(NKJV)

20    She extends her hand to the poor,     Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21    She is not afraid of snow for her household,     For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

Proverbs 31:25-31(NKJV)

25    Strength and honor are her clothing;     She shall rejoice in time to come.

26    She opens her mouth with wisdom,     And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27    She watches over the ways of her household,     And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28    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.”

30    Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,     But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31    Give her of the fruit of her hands,      And let her own works praise her in the gates.

So guys, if you've been blessed with a great woman as I have, go home tonight and let her know!