Friday, May 19, 2017

The Excellent Woman of Proverbs 31 Series: vs.11

*From The Excellent Woman of Proverbs 31 written in 1847 by Anne Pratt (1806-1893)

THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND DOTH SAFELY TRUST IN HER,
SO THAT HE SHALL HAVE NO NEED OF SPOIL.
Proverbs 31:11

"The perfect confidence described in this verse, implies not only a conviction of simplicity and guilelessness of character in the wife, but it also assures us of her discretion. No man could safely trust in one whose conduct was not unspotted in all her intercourse with society.

The need of spoil must be explained by a reference to the usage of the Hebrews, at this period of society. The Israelites had often obtained spoils in their encounters with neighboring nations. The reign of David had been occupied by continual warfare....and the man who sought to be rich, often shared the spoil taken from others.

But in the case of this Jewish family there was no need of such spoil. Industry supplied the household wants, .... Under the shadow of his own vine and his own fig‐tree, he could enjoy the blessings of a peaceful life; and in his earthly home could find that love and quietness, which might prove the best foretaste that earth can give of the heavenly home to which he was tending."