Revelation 18-20, Proverbs 31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (Proverbs‬ ‭31:10-31‬)

Yes, who can find a woman doing all these things? This selection from the Bible’s book of Proverbs reads like an exhaustive list of what is desirable in a wife from the ancient Jewish man’s point of view. I approve of the advice given to those men embedded within the list: “Praise her!” If more husbands appreciated and praised their wives, then in my opinion both they and their wives would be better satisfied.

It’s not recorded in the Bible, but I suspect that somewhere there is an exhaustive list of what is desirable in a husband  from the woman’s point of view. It’s likely no man can live up to all those expectations, but given the appreciation and praise of his wife, a husband may therewith find contentment.

I feel we live well with reasonable expectations of one another, and we live miserably with mutual expectations that are either too high or too low.