Who Can Find A Virtuous Man?
Proverbs 31:10-31
This passage
has been adapted to reflect a virtuous man giving notice that the genders have
been reversed. The passage is from the Amplified version .It is an attempt to
demonstrate the Virtuous Man. I find it curious that the passage originally
intended to describe the Virtuous Woman is also fitting parallel to describe a
Virtuous Man.
(Revised and
paraphrased by Richard Godfrey)
I
have gone through the passage and highlighted in red the virtues I observed. Read it prayerfully again and meditate on
the virtues. Then complete the practice and review.
10. A capable, intelligent and virtuous man, who is she that
can find him? He is far more precious than jewels, and his value is far above
rubies of pearls. Strong, reliable, qualified
Pr.12: 4 A virtuous and worthy husband –earnest and
strong in character—is a crowning joy to his wife, but he that makes
ashamed is as rottenness in her bones. Sincere
Pr.18: 22 She
who finds a {true} husband finds a good thing, and obtains favor with the Lord.
Pr. 19:14
House and riches are the inheritance from mothers/parents, but a wise, understanding and
prudent husband is from the Lord.
Pro. 1:5-9
not a fool—fears God
11. The heart
of his wife trusts in him confidently and relies
and believes in his safety, so that she has no lack of honest gain or need of
dishonest spoil. No worries, trust, integrity
12. He will comfort, encourage and do her only good as long as
there is life in him. Mal.2: 14-15 will not deal
treacherously with the wife of his youth
13. He seeks out the wool and flax and works with willing hands to develop it. Hard worker, industrious, not lazy, not a slacker or sluggard
14. He is
like the merchants ships loaded with foodstuffs; he
brings his households food from a far [country]. Good provider
15. He rises
while it is yet night and gets spiritual food for
his household and assigns his servants their tasks. Prays
and studies the Word of God and instructs his household in the way of the Lord
16. He considers a new field before he buys it or accepts it—expanding prudently [and not courting neglect of his
present duties by assuming others]. With his savings ‘of time and strength] he
plants fruitful vines in his vineyard. Good decision maker, prudent
17. He girds himself with strength [spiritual, mental and
physical fitness for his God-given task] and makes his arms strong and
firm. Spiritually, mentally, physically strong, not a
couch potato
18. He tastes
and sees that his gain from work [with and for God] is good; his lamp goes not out; but it
burns on through the night [of trouble, privation of sorrow, warning
away fear, doubt and distrust]. Spiritually strong
19. He layeth his hands to the plow, and his hands to the
distaff. (Staff with a cleft end for holding wool and flax). Hard worker, not lazy, industrious
20. He opens his hand to the poor; yes, he reaches out his filled hands to the needy [whether in
body, mind or spirit]. Compassionate, hospitable,
caring
21. He fears not the snow for his family, for all his
household are doubly clothed in scarlet. Prudent,
prepares ahead for calamity
22. He makes
for himself coverlets, cushions and rugs of tapestry. His clothing is of linen,
pure white and fine and of purple [such as that of the priests and the hallowed
cloths of the temple are made]. Industrious
23. His wife
is known in the city’s gates, when she sitteth among the elders of the land.
24. He makes
fine linen garments, and leads others to buy them; he delivers to the merchants
girdles [or sashes that free one for service]. Industrious
25. Strength and dignity are his clothing and secure. He
rejoices over the future—the latter day or time to come [knowing that he and
his family are in readiness for it]. Well respected
26. He opens his mouth with skillful and godly Wisdom, and in his
tongue is the law of kindness --giving counsel
and instruction.
27. He looks
well to how things go in his household, and the bread of idleness [gossip,
discontent and self-pity] he will not eat. Disciplined
1Tim.5: 14 [and]
give not opponents of the faith occasion for slander and reproach.
Titus 2:5 To
be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting
and subordinating themselves to their [wives] that the word of God may not be
exposed to reproach—blasphemed or discredited.
28. His
children arise up, and call him blessed; his wife also, and she praiseth him. [Happy, fortunate and to be envied]
29. Many sons
have done virtuously, nobly and well [with the strength
of character that is steadfast in
goodness] but you excel them all.
30. Charm and
grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting] but a man who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, he
shall be praised.
31. Give him
of the fruit of his hands; and let his own works praise him in the gates of the
city. Prosperous
Phil. 4:8 For
the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is
worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely and loveable, whatever is kind and winsome and
gracious, if there is and virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of
praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things—fix your minds on
them.
What woman in her right mind would turn
down a man such as this?
Faith Building Practice and Review
1. In what ways am I a virtuous man?
(Verse by verse)
2. What is my wife’s perception of a
virtuous man?
3. How do I measure up to her standards?
(Later I will share the complied answers from the ladies that I’ve asked them)
4. Search the Scriptures and list other
qualities of a virtuous man. For example: Eph.6: 4 And ye fathers, provoke
not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of
the Lord.
5. Do you measure up to that virtue?
Explain your answer.
6. In what ways can you implement
change/s to display that virtue (whatever it is)
7. Do you see virtues other than the ones
highlighted in red?
8. Compare the world’s view with God’s
view.
9. How do you stack-up?
10. In what ways can and are you going to
change?
11. How has this made an impact on your
life?
12. Compare the world’s view with God’s
view.
Part 2
The following
is a partial list of how the world portrays a man.
- Womanizer
- Vulgarity and profanity
- Drug user and pusher
- Violent
- Unfaithful
- Macho-man
- Fast cars
- Untrustworthy
- Liar & cheater
- Alcoholic
- Unmannerly
- Uneducated
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