“A price above Rubies” ...the Wayfarer 8/9/13

“A price above Rubies”
8/9/13

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies,”

(Proverbs 31:10)

Today we return to the book of Proverbs once more, a book well known to our predecessors, as well as our Lord, a book used in the past to guide the morals of nations and to shape the lives our young.

Unlike others frequently quoted, we are told that this particular proverb is given us by a little known king of Israel named Lemuel.

It falls at the end of the book, and is a guide, not only to the young of Israel, but our own, and prophetic in nature when applied to the Church of today.

“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

What, my son? And what the son of my womb? And what the son of my vows?

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause  of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

(Proverbs 31:1-9)

These first few verses of this Chapter of Proverbs tell us that Lemuel, someone chosen from birth to be a king of the land, was admonished from an early age by his mother to prepare for the responsibility that would fall on his shoulders.

Having seen the consequences of past rulers and their flaws, from those of king Saul, David and those that followed them, the guidance given was intended to prepare a ruler who would not only be just in his rule, but acceptable to God as well.

He is warned about drunkenness, that it dims the mind and the ability to find the needed justice that is demanded of a ruler.

Again I admonish that other substances not considered by the writer must also be included in this when choosing our leaders today.

The assiduous effects of those substances will eventually come out in their judgment and ability to provide for those over whom they are chosen to rule.

It is these substances, that make man forget the law and its intent, even if following the letter of that law to assure that an agenda is met that they wish to follow, instead of the original agenda intended by God for betterment of body and spirit of those governed.

Giving strong drink to those on the point of death and in great suffering was a means of alleviating their suffering, and considered merciful.

Other substances, through the years, have found their way into society through the same means, seen initially as merciful relief to those in desperate pain, only to be abused again and again as each more powerful drug was invented to issue this mercy to those in that pain.

The effects of those substances continue to permeate our society today, detracting from its morals, and productivity, as the abuse continues and becomes more widespread.

The wine to be given to those of heavy hearts, was a means to alleviate the poverty. and hopelessness. of those who had no means nor will to improve their circumstance, and was far from acceptable to those entrusted to take them out of that poverty and hopelessness.

Still today we find far too many so mired down in hopelessness, and helplessness, who think they have nowhere to turn, but to the substances that allow them to forget their misery. 

 They fail to realize that that misery may be replaced by hope, if they will only accept that hope, and ASK for the needed assistance, instead of making their lives all the worse, or even destroying their minds and bodies with those substances, despite the help that is available for the asking!

Lemuel is told to open his mouth, to judge righteously in the cause of those very people who are indeed in need of that help.  Note that he is told to plead the cause of the poor and needy.  Again I caution the reader to differentiate between the needs, and what are merely the wants, of those around us!

Next we find the advice given this young king in regard as to what to look for in a wife, and again it is excellent advice for our young, but may also be applied to both our nations, and our church when seen in the context it was given.

When Christ returns, he will return to take his bride, and that bride must meet the requirements set forth here as well!

From here through the end of this short chapter, I will attempt to give you what my own interpretation of that advice is. Judge for yourself the worthiness of that advice, as I claim no wisdom of my own, no gift of prophecy, only the ability to apply what is given through these scriptures to the world in which I live and the problems faced in that world.

“Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”

(Proverbs 31: 10-12)

A price above rubies indeed!

 Particularly so in the day in which we find that the minds of all our young have turned to immediate self-gratification and the urgency of physical wealth instead of the wealth of family and spirit intended from the beginning!

The Bride of Christ must also be far more valuable than rubies, which are mere pretty baubles. when compared to the worth of the required loyalty and adherence to the purpose intended for her existence!

Just  as a husband  on this earth must be able to completely trust his wife, and know without doubt her loyalty, and intent for the good of himself and family, Christ will only take a bride that He trusts completely who has proven that loyalty and intent prior to the wedding feast!

“She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She risethth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

(Proverbs 31:13-15)

Just as a human wife who is worthy takes note of the needs of clothing and providing for her children, so must the Church make provision for the children of God.

The 15^th verse tells us that this requirement extends beyond the convenience of the comfort of the day, to meet the needs at whatever hour they may arise!

If a call for help comes in, it is not the time to make an appointment. It is the time to give that help!

“She considereth a field and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth  that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth  not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen and selleth it; and deliverth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

(Proverbs 31:16- 25)

Each of the enumerated duties are fulfilled in an exemplary manner by what is called a virtuous woman.

 Everything, from the financial affairs that are managed, to the betterment of her household, and the provision of yet further yield toward that income by planting and planning for that future, is within her capability and her purview.

Her compassion extends beyond those of her own house to those in need around her, and because of that compassion she is further blessed.

She has no fear of weather or bad times, because she has planned in advance to provide during those times.

The scarlet that is mentioned is a way of identifying her own, for both the earthly bride described and the bride of Christ who knows the scarlet of His blood upon her own.

Purple designates royalty, and Lemuel’s bride would have qualified in a far lesser degree than the bride of Christ!

  

Her commitment to husband and household take precedence over personal wants and desires.

 Her interest is in the things needed to secure a long and comfortable life for all of them.

The duties of the church (to be the Bride) are equally diverse and must take precedence over any perceived “personal wants” when dealing with the household she has been entrusted with by Christ!

Strength and honor, only come with patience and labor, and without them, we are all naked to the evil around us, and the traps that would ensnare even the Bride of Christ, if possible. The joy of the reward that is promised us however, far exceeds  the work that is given!

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

(Proverbs 31:26-31)

Here we are told that wisdom is a part of what is expected of the bride to be taken both by Lemuel,…. and that Bride to be taken by our Lord. 

The law of kindness is a requirement of both, and of particular importance, because there is no wisdom in strife and in demeaning and gossiping about others, by either an earthly bride, or that of our Lord!

That bride must look to the ways of the household and her children to keep them from wandering from the things she teaches them. 

There is never any room for idleness which is only the neglect of the duties entrusted her!

In return for these efforts and her complete loyalty, she will be honored by her children, they will love and cherish her as no other woman. Her husband will be well pleased with all these efforts and cannot help but to praise and honor her in return.

When a young man chooses his bride on this earth, the influences of beauty and attraction and how popular she is are all too often the main consideration given to his choice.

 Not so in Christ’s selection of His beloved, what will count will be the fear of The Lord God of Hosts and the devotion shown to Him because of the love of that bride for the Groom!

In return for that devotion and love, she will reap the rewards of the Groom’s own love and will share in all glory and wealth possessed by Him.

I leave you with the admonition to pass this guidance to our young, and pray that they heed it as it once was heeded. I pray also that the Bride to be heed these words and make herself worthy of our Lord on his return.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Once more I close for now, with the love of this simple sinner saved by grace, through faith in that same Lord, a soldier in his service, no more nor less. 

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day

        Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer