Finding A Good Thing
A prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14 (KJV)
According to Strong’s Concordance, the word prudent refers to someone who is intelligent, wise, understanding, able to instruct, skilled, an expert, able to guide wittingly and brings good success.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. Proverbs 18:22 (KJV)
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband. Proverbs 12:4 (KJV)
Proverbs 31:10-31 tells us the qualities of an excellent wife. Let’s look at it in the English Standard Version.
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:10-31 (English Standard Version, ESV)
While no woman (or man) is perfect, let Proverbs 31 guide you in traits to look for. Although it is important for you to find your spouse attractive, many have fallen into the trap of being so swayed by a person’s beauty that they lose sight of the other important traits they need to have for a lasting relationship. When you have time, I also recommend that you read Genesis 24, which shows us principles for finding a wife. Read it thoughtfully and allow the Lord to point those principles out to you. I used it as a pattern as I waited for the Lord to bring my mate.
Based on the way that my wife and I met, which would be too detailed to cover here, I knew God had our marriage planned before our paths ever crossed. I am blessed that God has given me a prudent wife, as the Scriptures portray. Only by following God’s direction and waiting on Him was I able to marry a godly and caring person sent by God. God is no respecter of persons, and He will do the same for you as you follow His lead. You can claim your God-designed mate based on Scripture.
In addition, learn the traits of a good mate and become one yourself as you wait on the one God has for you. In God’s way, time, and plan He will bring it to pass, bringing you both together for the God-adventure of a lifetime in holy matrimony.
