A pastor from East China has recently shared his thoughts on the interpretation of the "wife of noble character" found in the Book of Proverbs. He emphasized that such a wife is not only an assistant to her husband but also responsible for providing spiritual care for the entire family.
Rev. Xinyong (a pseudonym) avowed that a husband's wife played a crucial role in their family, as she could significantly impact his relationship with his parents, in-laws, and children. As per the Bible, Adam faced difficulty finding a compatible helper; then, how can a wife act as a helper?
According to Rev. Xinyong, a wife empowers and supports her husband to rule over the world that God created and carry out the duties and missions that God has given him. A virtuous woman exhibits wisdom, power, love, faithfulness, attentiveness, and assiduousness; all her virtues aim to glorify her husband and benefit his life. She helps him comprehend God's calls in his life, thereby enabling him to fulfill his duties.
After marriage, a woman becomes the master of her household, managing everything. As exemplified in Genesis, when Rebekah left her father's house and moved in with Isaac, she assumed the role of mistress.
The pastor explained that a wife with noble character possessed not only profound knowledge, wisdom, and beauty but also exceptional household management skills. "She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls." A virtuous woman helps every member of the family (not just her husband) through her God-given gifts and talents, guiding them to identify their responsibilities and carry them out effectively.
"Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." The man gained respect from the elders because of his wife's assistance.
According to Xinyong's conclusion, when a man was given the power to lead, manage a family, and make decisions, he could earn respect from outsiders. However, in modern times, household chores such as cooking, washing clothes, mopping the floor, and educating children have become sources of unhappiness and conflict in many families. And the responsibility of caring for not only the husband but also the family members falls on the wife.
The servant of God emphasized that both men and women should be involved in building the family, and there were no specific rules about who was responsible for a certain aspect of things.
In some Christian families, only the wife and children go to church, and the husband may be reluctant to attend. The pastor highlighted that a wife should concern herself not only with the daily needs of the family but also with the spiritual needs of all its members, including her husband.
In the education of children in Israel, before the children are sent to school, the mother is responsible for developing the children's character, spirituality, and physical needs. The father is responsible for developing the child's skills, which are essential for earning money in the future. But fathers are also responsible for teaching their children the principles of faith. In Israeli culture, every aspect of life, including eating, sleeping, and dressing, is filled with the principles of faith and truth.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
