A ‘PRUDENT’ WIFE is a ‘PRICELESS’ GIFT from GOD!
July 5 Bible
Reading: Proverbs Chapters 19-21
A ‘PRUDENT’ WIFE is a ‘PRICELESS’ GIFT from GOD!
"Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but
a prudent wife is from the Lord." (Prov. 19:14)
In the above
verse, King Solomon is contrasting between men's gifts and God's gifts. Even
though God is the author of both blessings, but He rightly confers a life
partner by His special providence. In his personal life, Solomon had inherited
great riches from his father David and had married 700 wives (1 Kings 11:3), but
after all his experience he could declare that a discreet and virtuous wife was
more valuable than houses and riches.
We can
inherit real estate and money from our fathers, but only God can provide a
prudent wife. She is a special gift of God. We are reminded of how God created
Eve from Adam’s rib, and then gifted her to Adam (Gen. 2:21-22). This also reminds
us of Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage, of which it is said, “the thing comes
from the Lord” (Gen. 24:14, 50). That was a marriage that was arranged in
heaven!
“Houses
and riches” may come
to man by matter of course as an ancestral inheritance. However, a “prudent
wife” comes not by matter of chance or descent but directly from God. The
word “prudent” describes not only her wise governing of the household
(31:27) but also her godly wisdom (8:12) which makes her a joy and strength
to her husband (31:11, 23, 28).A prudent wife is a woman who demonstrates
wisdom or skill. A discerning skillful wife is absolutely necessary to erect a
godly home. She is not acquired, however, as are other possessions, which may
be worked for or inherited. So, she is always to be treasured as a gift from God
Himself!
What we can
infer from this passage is that a wise, discerning and prudent wife is a
priceless gift from God just as children (Psalms 127:3) or, every other good
and perfect gift (James 1:17). This proverb does not imply that the Lord is
not ultimately in control of the inheritance of wealth. It emphasizes rather
that the outcome of one’s choice of wife is not so easy to predict or control. A
happy blessed married life with a prudent and discerning wife is indeed a cause
to thank God every day for His manifold blessing and favor towards us!
"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 18:22)
