A Cure for the Common Life
Good Morning Friends,
Maybe I should have saved these thoughts for Mother’s Day but I was thinking about my mother and her marriage to my dad and my wife and our marriage and the power of the unity in the Holy Spirit… so you get it today. You see, something amazing happens when husbands and wives decide to commit their lives to God. They then belong to God and God then in some mysterious way belongs to them as well. The simple act of dedicating one’s life to God is in its wisdom, A Cure for the Common Life.
Scripture: 31The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: 2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows! 3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
Proverbs 31:1-3 (NRSV)
25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. 28In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30because we are members of his body.*
31‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ 32This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. 33Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:25-33 (NRSV)
A capable 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 far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds 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 for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. 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 happy; her husband too, 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 a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31 (NRSV)
Message: Today we look at the teachings of King Lemuel’s mother. And it soon become clear that Lemuel is about the Solomon that did not make it as a perfect husband. Proverbs 31 is really a bit sad when it is put in the context of Solomon’s life and the wise words of his mother Bathsheba, but rather uplifting when considered as a prophetic image of Mary and of Jesus and the called out assembly. The first part I will leave for you to look up. The second part of the last Proverb though is about the perfect wife. There are some great character qualities to look for in a woman. The good wife is hardworking, generous, passionate, caring, and industrious, they have a sacrificial heart, they are a good speaker, and love to laugh, and she enjoys her family. But the first half of the scripture chapter is not really about what kind of husband would be the perfect match for the Proverbs 31 wife. Something has been corrupted. Something else is needed.
Ok let’s look a little closer.
The Proverb is an acrostic poem with each of the 22 verses beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet but is also wisdom for daily living reflected in the encounters and memories we have about the women in our lives who train, equip and care in ways that benefits the entire family of man and of God. It is in that way a bit prophetic about Mary the mother of God and of Jesus and the marriage with the church. The last twenty-one verses of Proverbs 31 are about a good and virtuous wife. But three times it does reverence a husband as well. This husband trusts his wife. This husband is respected by others. He is involved with business and work going on in the city. And his wife is such a woman of great character that he is able to excel in the marketplace. Together, this husband and wife are an amazing team but something is missing. It calls out for a message from Ephesians 5.
Pray we be imitators of God. Pray we live in love. Pray we are content. Pray we be thinking individuals. Pray we be dedicated. Pray we be God-centered. Pray we invest our time well. Pray we remember that through a mother we are provided a way back to our heavenly Father. Pray we rejoice in the miracle of motherhood. Pray we celebrate the joy of the family of God and the faith that is passed from one generation to another. Pray we recognize the value of Godly upbringing. Pray that the Holy Spirit urge all mothers to strive to grasp the spiritual heart of their children. Pray we realize the importance of good mothers and good wives in the work of the church. Pray we learn from aged woman who pray and never give up. Pray we rejoice in mothers who pray for their children and the church. Pray today that the prayer of faithful mothers around the world would be answered. Pray we all are saved by a great marriage made in heaven.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 