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46
How to Have a Happy Marriage
What kind of husband would
it
take
to
lead, love, provide
for and protect this woman we read about in Proverbs? At
first you might think of a dominant, prominent, self-confi–
dent man whose wife is seen but seldom heard. But that's not
how this woman is depicted.
The Proverbs 31 woman is capable. Confident. Heard as
well as seen. Respected. Known. She knew how to
fit
into the
culture of her society-and those of other societies.
Any man married to a woman this proficient and loving
does not hide her
in
a tent. He shouts her praises for all to
hear-he wants the world to know that the epitome of
feminin–
ity,
grace and talent is
personified in his wonderful wife.
Let's take a fresh look at Proverbs 31, this time
to
see
what kind of man leads and provides for the Proverbs 31
A Successful Man
Certainly, whoever the Proverbs 31 woman was, she has
provided the finest example
for every woman
to
emulate.
But Solomon, the author
of most of the Proverbs, did
not have a wife like this.
Among his many wives and
concubines, it is doubtful
that there was a woman of
this kind of love and wisdom.
Solomon probably didn't
even know any one of his
wives well enough to write
such a complimentary chap–
ter. The Proverbs 31
woman-and the Proverbs
31 husband-remain buried
Tw
Proverbs
31 husband provides
an environment in
which his wife can
reach her full
capabilities.
in anonymity. We just don't know who they were.
But this woman does seem practically perfect. And the
man? Well, we may not have given much attention to him.
But he himself must have been a person of ability, outgoing
concern and wisdom.
Hidden between the lines of the verses in Proverbs 31 we