Chapter V: The Excellent Woman

Prov. xxxi.

AS A WIFE.

I. A wife _ought_ to be a chief blessing; a good wife _is_ so. Verse 10. Prov. xii. 4; xviii. 22; xix. 14.

II. Her husband can safely trust her. Ver. 11.

Money—children—sure of her affection—no secrets.

III. She does him good, and not evil all the days of her life. Verse 12.

Not like Eve. Gen. iii. 6.

Or Samson’s wife. Enticing—coaxing—teazing—weeping—betraying. Judg.
xiv. 16.

IV. She cares for his bodily wants. Verses 15, 23.

To do this must be a ‘keeper at home.’ Tit. ii. 5.

V. She submits if wills clash.

Not often the case in a happy home.

Yields cheerfully, not grudgingly, when in accordance with God’s will.
Col. iii. 18. Eph. v. 22.

VI. She endeavours to _win_ her husband, does not try to _drive_. 1 Pet. iii. 1. 1 Cor. vii. 16.

Win to religion by displaying its beauty and brightness in your lives.

VII. She is a spiritual help to her husband. 1 Pet. iii. 7.

‘Mutual help and comfort.’ Marriage Service.

Not a hindrance. Luke, xiv. 20.

A wife has more opportunity than any one of seeing her husband’s
faults. Do not _talk_ about them, but _pray_ about them.