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The Virtuous Woman A devotional commentary Come Hither, I Will Shew Thee the Bride, The Lamb's Wife. In the Word the highest of human relationships is lifted beyond the earthly plane, beyond and above angels in the courts of heaven, to point us to that blessed union that belongs to the Divine... "I speak concerning Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:32). In Proverbs 31:10‑31, we have the description of the virtuous woman of any age, a glowing account of ideals, a help meet for a perfect man. As the Word of God directs us to such a list of qualities and character the Spirit of God helps us to see reflected therein some glimpses of the Bride of Christ. The statement of perfection may bring little comfort to those who are only too aware of imperfection. The high standards seem remote as they are beautiful. As our perception deepens so the goal may appear to recede further from our reach. We know we have not yet attained, but how conceivable is it that we shall ever attain? The answer lies in the blessed truth that this is a work of grace. His grace, producing ours. Just believing this, and staggering not, makes us pure in His eyes, and brings us into a relationship of at‑one‑ness with the very Source of All Perfection through our Lord Jesus Christ. That He is our Lord is special enough in the sight of His Father to give us faith's access into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Here then is a kind of check‑list of those attainments of the bride in her making ready for that eternal union with the Heavenly Bridegroom. All the divine resources are at hand, the very power of God at our disposal, and the angels of God waiting upon the every spiritual need of heaven's princess, with those echoes of mercy and whispers of love. Thine Eyes shall see The King in His Beauty... The description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:10‑31, in which we catch glimpses of the Betrothed of the Lord, consists of 22 verses. It is alphabetical, each verse commencing with the next Hebrew letter. No doubt this was to aid the memory of a precious passage worthy indeed of engraving in the mind. This may seem of little point to us in that few of the Lord's people can read Hebrew. However, it has been noticed that in each letter there may be some deeper link than at first supposed with the principle point of each verse. If this be so it is a bonus, the main value rests in the verse. Nevertheless a further bonus may lie in that we are thus afforded an opportunity to become a little more acquainted with the language of the Holy Word. The nineteenth century was a remarkable one for Bible students in many ways, not least in the works of the Hebrew scholar Gesenius which marked its opening years. It is to him we are indebted for the designations given to each Hebrew letter by those who used them. Thus the first letter Aleph is designated the ox, probably because if viewed with imagination it does rather look like the head and horns of an ox. Beth is a house, Gamel a camel, and so on. If the Lord uses the ideal of the virtues of this woman to paint a picture of the virtuous woman of this gospel age (Christian era), then indeed do we need the spirit's power to carry us away, to translate both the picture and also ourselves in the highest spiritual terms. The love of God that has overflowed into human hearts is this moment expressing itself in countless human ways in the lives of His saints. Here the human is but the vehicle, the vessel, of the divine. A new mind is in control, a new light in the eyes, a new life and purpose in the step. A woman in love lives in a different world. She faces the realities around her, but she is not inhibited by them, for she has in her heart a glowing vision of a life shared with the man of her dreams. So Shall we be . . . Forever with The Lord. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above
rubies. Proverbs 31:10
The ox from which all domestic cattle are thought to be derived, was for man a great source of harnessed strength. It is used to depict the strength of God's throne in Ezekiel 1:10 etc. Virtue = strength under control. The Able Woman who can find? So great a source of strength to man. Eliezer found her at the well. Boaz found her at his feet. Both accounts we are afforded in which to glimpse something of the preciousness of our call to the fellowship, the sharing of His Son. So important it was to Abraham that the right choice be made, the right woman found for the son of his love. Can we begin to sense, in that weight of responsibility laid upon his faithful servant, something of the great importance of the divine choice and selection in this present age? There can be no room for mistake. She must be right, exactly right, for that One Who now inherits all things, in Whom all the promises of God are positive and sure, Yea, and Amen. Precious more than Rubies. The mission of the age is not in vain. He has found Him a wife, a woman whose qualities of character and purity are after the likeness of her Creator (Col.3:10). He has revealed her worth to Him in the bride price He has paid...in the ruby‑like precious drops of her Redeemer's blood. Can any human husband love his wife "as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:25‑27) The able woman...her first great feat of ability...just to believe, just to say, 'I will go (with this man)'. (Gen.24:58) And as she thus walked with him, and as we walk in the spirit, to that faith is added...virtue...the character of full spiritual strength and ability in Christ. (Ruth 2:12,13; 3:10,11.) I have purchased her to be my Wife (Ruth 4:10) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that
he shall have no need of spoil. 31:11
Her Husband's Belief In Her. Ruth 3:14, "She Lay At His feet until the morning:" She was at rest and so was he. It was the highest place she knew, to lie at his feet. At that trysting place of love he made to her his vow, and she to him. That I believe in Him has changed my life, but that He believes in me! That He has such confidence in His ability to finish, to perfect that state of trust of which He is the Author, to anticipate even now that finished work of grace, to share with me that mutual confidence which is the basis, the foundation, walls, and topmost stone of love's eternal abode. Who shall love most? Not the one who felt most worthy, but the one with most forgiven. It is grace that enriches the heart and furnishes it right through as we treasure the love messages of the Word, follow its instructions, its revealing of His mind, the things that please our Lord, accept its corrections (His hand upon the tiller,) and value its reproof. (2 Tim.3:16,17.) His is such love that can tell us when we are wrong, and help us cleanse away the spots in character that would impede that perfect union, and smooth away the wrinkles where our flesh so poorly fits the new mind within. He sees our responses, recognises there the motivation of our heart, and cherishes the strength of its desires towards Himself. She will not misuse that mutual trust. "He Will have no need of spoil." This means that she becomes totally reliable in her management of all His affairs. The two think as one. She values His provision, appreciates with gratitude His gifts. Everything He trusts to her she gladly takes and uses to His praise. No task or service is too great. No 'day of small things' is despised. No opportunity she wastes, nor time. Nor will she pass by privilege of service to her Lord, some work He needs of her, that He must turn to others to fulfil. The pouring out of love so many ways, may seem to some 'great waste'. But one thing only satisfies her mind, that He Who understands love's language best...believes in her. How precious to her ears is His defence... "Let her alone, on me has she wrought a good work..." Thou hast been Faithful. Enter into My Joy... She will do him good and not evil all the days of her
life. Proverbs 31:12
She does him Good How beautiful the thought! She is good, and she does Him good. It is her nature and her role. Fruit of God's Own Spirit (Gal 5:22, Eph 5:9), goodness may be variously defined. It is the receptive state of heart ready to embrace His every word and nurture it as living precious seed to bring forth much fruit. (Mat.13:23) Goodness is as salt, fully effective in the purpose of its being. If it should lose its savour it is good for nothing. (Mat.5:13) Goodness is the giving of the best, the centring of the attention on the one thing needful. The Hebrew carries the thought of 'pleasing'. Attitudes and works are only good in that they are pleasing to our Lord. It is His definition of goodness to do only those things that please His Father, and it is our earnest desire and endeavour to more and more share that only worthy aim of existence. All the Days of her Life So does each body member function every day and every hour, with precision and sensitivity fulfilling every desire of the Head in every service it can pay. What goodness is there in the vine save to bear grapes? All other purposes are broken off from the day of betrothal. Each day is now her Lord's, and every act has part in the language of her love for Him. In the youthful days of inexperience she tries so hard to please though lacking expertise. As the years pass, it matures into absorbing delight. In riper years, ‑ fulfilment. His "lovest thou Me?" rings in her ears each hour, and finds relief in the outlet He supplies. "Tend My lambs." "My goodness extendeth not to Thee..." unless directed towards "the saints that are in the earth." In His eyes and now in hers, they are "the excellent" that ever reflect the exceeding glory of all His goodness as it passes before them, "in whom is all my delight." May God Fulfil Every Desire for Goodness 2 Thess.1:11 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Proverbs 31:13
Diligence in Seeking. Is ever opening doors, enquiring, exploring opportunity to serve the Master of the house. The wool and the flax are the raw materials of such service, perhaps the needs of others of the household, discovered with the delicacy of love, and developed with design and delight into the dress or durable garment or whatever may cover or furnish that need. Sometimes we need the comforting warmth of another's understanding, interest and care. Sometimes the cool light garment of uplift and encouragement. Sometimes the wool, sometimes the flax, the fine linen. The Lord supplies our needs in the needs of others, by drawing forth that generous caring love that seeketh not her own. In comforting we ourselves are comforted, in watering watered. Diligence in Working. The working of that garment that will fit the need of someone we love may take long persevering effort. It may need more than one fitting, much repeated application. David epitomized the spiritual despondency of lapsing faith in his fear that he would die at the hands of Saul, in our case, that the flesh might conquer. We need many "kisses of His mouth", many reassurances of love. What priceless privilege is mine if my Lord, knowing intimately the needs of one of His anointed, places in my hands the very means of their supply. However lowly and unworthy the vehicle of His love, the tether must be loosened at the words, "The Master hath need of it." "What is that in thine hand?" Is it wool? ‑ Flax? ‑ A box of precious ointment do you hold? Why has He thus filled my vessel with such fullness of His love? "All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces (or boxes), whereby they (the King's daughters) have made Thee glad." Psa.45:8. DH |
aleph.
= the ox, symbol of domesticated strength.
Beth.
= a house, tent, tabernacle. The woman is the home of the man, the place of his
rest in whom he lives. There are no possessions, no material things, that can
replace a woman's love, "and the house was filled with the odour of the
ointment" filled with her love. (John 12:3) It is a place of mutual trust.
Gamel
= the camel, long used in the service of man, bearing forth his goods and
treasures with remarkable powers of persistence, and with great durable
qualities even in the most hard‑going wilderness conditions. Part of the train
of Rebekah as she journeys to Isaac, and of the Queen of Sheba too, bearing good
things to Solomon.
Daleth
= a door, opening into a further realm. Thus used figuratively of the door of
opportunity. Knocking thereon signifies diligence in seeking and pursuing what
is desired. Digging of the ear of the devoted slave to the doorpost implies the
opening of our heart to the openings of service, entered with joyful
satisfaction. The Lord is ever opening and closing doors for us. It speaks of
His overruling care, as our responses speak of understanding and appreciative
love and trust.