The Ideal Partner

Proverbs 31:10-31 , NRSV

Today, I simply offer a different way to read this well-known passage in Proverbs.  Proverbs, as we have noted before, was most likely written for men to read.  So, in that context, it is understandable that when talking about an ideal spouse, the text would describe a wife.  However, all the qualities described in the passage could just as easily describe an ideal husband.  So I’ve offered the opposite pronouns along with the text today to facilitate reading the passage as one that describes a husband of noble character.  Feel free to read either way (or both ways) as you work through it today.  I’ve also inserted a couple of notes (in italics) to possibly strengthen the alternate reading.

A woman (man) of strength who can find?

    She (He) is far more precious than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband (wife) trusts in her (him),

    and he (she) will have no lack of gain.

12 She (He) does him (her) good and not harm

    all the days of her life.

13 She (He) seeks wool and flax

    and works with willing hands. (hard worker)

14 She (He) is like the ships of the merchant;

    she (He) brings her (his) food from far away. (provider)

15 She (He) rises while it is still night

    and provides food for her (his) household

    and tasks for her (his) servants. (vigilant)

16 She (He) considers a field and buys it;

    with the fruit of her (his) hands she (he) plants a vineyard. (smart in business matters)

17 She (He) girds herself (himself) with strength

    and makes her (his) arms strong. (committed to keeping healthy)

18 She (He) perceives that her (his) merchandise is profitable.

    Her (his) lamp does not go out at night. (always trying to work out the details)

19 She (He) puts her (his) hands to the distaff,

    and her (his) hands hold the spindle. (has marketable and useful skills)

20 She (He) opens her (his) hand to the poor

    and reaches out her (his) hands to the needy. (compassionate)

21 She (He) is not afraid for her (his) household when it snows,

    for all her (his) household are clothed in crimson. (always prepared for anything)

22 She (He) makes herself (himself) coverings;

    her (his) clothing is fine linen and purple. (takes pride in appearance)

23 Her (his) husband (wife) is known in the city gates,

    taking his (her) seat among the elders of the land. (supports the vocation of spouse)

24 She (He) makes linen garments and sells them;

    she (He) supplies the merchant with sashes. (business savvy)

25 Strength and dignity are her (his) clothing,

    and she (he) laughs at the time to come. (prepared)

26 She (He) opens her (his) mouth with wisdom,

    and the teaching of kindness is on her (his)  tongue.

27 She (He) looks well to the ways of her (his) household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness. (not a time-waster)

28 Her (his) children rise up and call her (him) happy;

    her (his) husband (wife), too, and he (she) praises her (him):

29 “Many women (men) have done excellently,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

    but a woman (man) who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her (him) a share in the fruit of her (his) hands,

    and let her (his) works praise her (him) in the city gates.

Question:  For those that are married, how do you measure up to this description?  For those that are single, how does this description compare to your “ideal?”

Prayer:  Lord, may we all strive to be a person of noble character and may You show us the path.  Amen.

Prayer Focus:  Pray for your significant other today.  If you are single, pray for other single people you know.

Song:  Love and Marriage – Frank Sinatra