Memory Verses

He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing And obtains favor and approval from the Lord. Proverbs 15:22 AMP

Key people

Here is a list of key people found in today’s reading (in order of appearance) with bios from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Apostle Paul. An apostle (although not one of the Twelve Apostles) who taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world. Paul is generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age and from the mid-30s to the mid-50s AD he founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe.

Today’s Devotional Reading: Song of Solomon 1 – 8

Song of Solomon 1 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 2 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 3 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 4 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 5 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 6 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 7 Amplified Version (AMP)
Song of Solomon 8 Amplified Version (AMP)

From The Amplified Bible, I Corinthians 7

The Apostle Paul’s Teaching on Marriage

7 Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage]. ² But because of [the temptation to participate in] sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ³ The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴ The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him. ⁵ Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control. ⁶ But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.

From Matthew Henry’s Commentary on I Corinthians 7

In this chapter the apostle answers some cases proposed to him by the Corinthians about marriage. He, I. Shows them that marriage was appointed as a remedy against fornication, and therefore that persons had better marry than burn, 1 Cor. 7:1-9. II. He gives direction to those who are married to continue together, though they might have an unbelieving relative, unless the unbeliever would part, in which case a Christian would not be in bondage, 1 Cor. 7:10-16. III. He shows them that becoming Christians does not change their external state; and therefore advises every one to continue, in the general, in that state in which he was called, 1 Cor. 7:17-24. IV. He advises them, by reason of the present distress, to keep themselves unmarried; hints the shortness of time, and how they should improve it, so as to grow dead and indifferent to the comforts of the world; and shows them how worldly cares hinder their devotions, and distract them in the service of God, 1 Cor. 7:25-35. V. He directs them in the disposal of their virgins, 1 Cor. 7:36-38. VI. And closes the chapter with advice to widows how to dispose of themselves in that state, 1 Cor. 7:39, 40.

Reflection

Today we begin reading the Song of Solomon, “a series of lyrical poems organized as a lengthy dialogue between a young woman and her lover.” In 117 verses across 8 chapters, Solomon and his lover praise each other and no doubt solidify their relationship. Their love song is the perfect junction for some relationship advice.

It is God who officially approves or ordains marriage. A wife who is “found” grants to her husband favor from God. This is not an earned benefit, but an unmerited gift of God. He loves marriage because He desires to have a family. The family unit is meant to be a direct reflection of God’s own love as a true and faithful father. Although a married woman has a husband, that fact does not exclusively make her a wife. Getting married does not make a woman the good thing recorded in Proverbs 15:22.

For this cause, many divorces come, because the woman does not become a wife before the marriage ends. In the same way, just because a man presents a ring, it does not guarantee that he is a husband, leaving many marriages strained because he does not know how to lead the family.

The woman who is so just because she is an adult female, does not have the same level of spiritual intuition that a Biblical “wife” has. Being a wife is a combination of earthly and heavenly experience. This is reason for faith-based youth groups that attempt to reveal the parables of the person of God to the children of men: in order that they may learn the ways of their Creator and become accustomed to spending time with Him so that He can lead and guide them into the future under His shadow. Without this training, the man finds it difficult to become a husband and the woman finds it difficult to become a wife, before they are married respectively and thrown into a relationship that they do not understand.

A Proverbs 31 Woman

A wife who is called “a good thing” is a woman of faith, a woman of praise, a woman of purpose – she is a Proverbs 31 woman whose “…price is far above rubies.” Every word she says is wisdom. Everything she does is peace. And I believe in my sanctified mind that she can help hold up the arms of Moses. She can help hold up the arms of the pastor. Because the Bible says, in that 17th verse of Proverbs 31 that,

“She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

If it would have said, “… girded and strengthened…” with an “ed” at the end, I would not be so excited; ’cause that would have meant that she did it in the past, but it’s old news. But the Word says, “…she girdeth; and strengtheneth…” with an “eth” at the end. That means repeatedly. That means, continually. So, she can be a helper; and she can be a leader, because she can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth her – repeatedly, and continually.

She is not weak minded. She does not carry the gossip of the day. See, if you really read about the Proverbs 31 woman, you will see that she is much too busy doing right things, to have time for the mess that cripples the body of Christ. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” The Proverbs 31 woman is right there in the battle, along with the brethren. She does not try to overtake them. Nevertheless, when the arms of Moses get a little bit weary, she is right there saying, “Hold on brother,” and, “You can make it.”

A Good Thing

Becoming a “good woman” is a result of submission to God, service in His kingdom, and praise and worship to Him. God teaches His wisdom to the heart and mind submitted to Him. Without this wisdom, life’s challenges become overwhelming and the heart lashes out from frustration causing arguments and discord in relationships. Peace from God is another marker of the wife. Not only does she successfully rule her character, the woman who is a true wife leads her family and community by her good example.

A good woman who is called a “good thing” is in communication with her Savior, for it is only by Him that anyone can be called good. The human spirit must have the influence of God in order to avoid being unruly. When a good woman’s praises go up to heaven, blessings come down as a direct result of her obedience to this statute of God – that we are to be instruments of His praise in the earth.

References

« The Amplified Bible
« The King James Bible
« Matthew Henry’s Commentary

« Songs of Praise
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Image Source: 365 Seeds of Promise by Shenica Graham.

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