LESSON EIGHT

RESPECT FOR THE WIFE

INTRODUCTION:

Solomon said, "he that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing", (Proverbs 18:22). This statement by the wise man of old, is very true. Many times we fail to realize the great value of a good wife. Consider for a moment the monetary value of a good wife. Here is a carefully worked out chart as to what it would cost the average husband if he had to hire the work done which his wife accomplishes each week:

I. MONETARY VALUE OF A WIFE (in 1986)

Task                        Hours per Wk       Hourly Rate       $ Value

Cook                                11.9                     2.25              $26.78

Dishwasher                       5.9                     1.85                10.92

Governess                       44.0                     2.40              105.60

Seamstress                       2.5                      2.30                 5.75

Laundress                         8.3                       2.00               16.60

Housekeeper                  10.0                       2.00               20.00

Food Buyer                       4.0                       3.75                15.00

Dietitian                             2.2                       3.50                  7.70

Garbage Removal            1.2                       2.50                 3.00

Practical Nurse                 3.0                       2.50                  7.50

Social Secretary               3.0                       2.75                  8.25

Gardener                          2.0                        2.50                  5.00

Home Maintenance         3.0                        2.50                 7.50

Hostess                             3.5                       2.60                   9.10

Chauffer                           1.5                        2.60                   3.90 

                                                                             Total      $252.60

HERE ARE MORE UNBIASED STATISTICS. 

IN THE COURSE OF AN AVERAGE MARRIED LIFE, A WIFE SPENDS HER TIME AS FOLLOWS:     

                                                        Hours Spent

 Food preparation                              13,600

Dishwashing                                      10,000

Care of House                                    13,500

Shopping for Family                            4,500

Washing and Ironing, etc                 13,600

Care of Family                                   10,025

In addition to this, Mrs. Wife walks 300 miles around the house, washes 25,200 dishes a year and still has time to look her lovely and dainty best when you come home.

Truly Solomon was right. Even by minimum standards a good wife is well worth her full weight in 24-carat gold.

Let me be perfectly honest with you. Happiness in the home is a big job. One of the biggest you will ever tackle. But it is one that will payoff handsomely. You will be healthier, more mentally alert, more able to meet business problems, more efficient in the performance of your duties as you go and come from a house that is happiness personified.

And the key to home happiness is a loving and contented wife. This is God's plan. She is God's invention. There is no substitute. No one can take her place in your life.

There are many women in the world. But only one of these must be chosen as your life long mate. Thus, we must take time and care in making our choice. Let us notice 7 women described by Solomon.

II. SOLOMON'S WORDS CONCERNING SEVEN WOMEN IN THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

1.  A CONTENTIOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 19:13; 27:15)

a. (Heb. midyanim, contentious, strife) is life rain's "continual dropping" (tarad-to drive away, thrust on).  Such strife with a woman is like "driving away drops"---constantly driving one back with a thrust (force) ADD Proverbs 21:19 (angrykaas -- sadness) and you have an upset, striving, despondent woman whose general atmosphere would wear down any man.

2. THE INDISCRETE WOMAN (Proverbs 11:22)

a. Here is presented a fair (yapheh-beautiful) woman without (sure to turn aside) discretion (taam-taste, sense, discretion). A beautiful woman who turns aside from good taste and exercises not sense is like jewelry in a hog's nose! What a waste and how out of place!

3. THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN:

a. Solomon gives far more coverage to this area than to any other. A study of what he gives makes it evident why this is true. In an age of exploited sex, the general warning and inspired advice makes this most practical for youth and adults. Note the various words related to this general category:

(1) Adulterous (naaph-to commit adultery Proverbs 30:20).

(2) Adulteress (eseth ish-wife of man Proverbs 6:26).

(3) Whorish (zanah-to commit fornication, Proverbs 6:26; 23:27)

(4) Evil (ra-bad proverbs 6:24)

(5) Strange (nokri-a stranger, foreigner, Proverbs 2:16; 5:20; 6:24; 7:5; 20:16; 23:27; 27:13; zar-alien 2:16; 5:3,20; 7:5; 22:14; 23:27)

(6) Results of one's relationship with this type woman should warn a man (young or old) to remove himself far from her. (Proverbs 2:16-19; 5:3-11; 7:5-27; 22:14; 23:27 ff).

4. A GRACIOUS (chen-grace, favor) WOMAN (Proverbs 11:16)

a. (retaineth-tamak-to hold up) honour-kabod-weight, heaviness, honour.

b. She holds up those important, big, valuable traits and characteristics that give life a lasting richness. Note Proverbs 31:25 (hadar-honour, beauty, majesty).

5. A WISE WOMAN (Proverbs 14:1)

a. (Chakam-to become wise, act wisely) buildeth (banah-to build up) her house (bayith-household). She is an edifying influence to her family.

6. A PRUDENT WOMAN (Proverbs 19:14)

a. (Wife-sekal-to cause to act wisely, understand)-is from the Lord. An understanding wise acting wife is as heaven intended a wife to be.

7. A VIRTUOUS WOMAN (Proverbs 12:4; 31:10,29)

a. Her price is far above rubies. Her force and strength in the home enrich it more than jewels and gems could ever do Proverbs 31:10-31. Her value is so far above anything one might possess that Solomon puts her out of the realm of comparison.

b. It is interesting that it is this category of womanhood that receives the second largest amount of space or attention from Solomon. This woman properly serving in the role for which God originally prepared or created her (Genesis 2:18, 21-24).

CONCLUSION:

The wife of our choice is deserving of our respect and honour. May God help you as you choose yours. And may God help you to be the wife God would have you be. Remember - "your price is far above rubies or gold".

REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. He that ____________ a ____________ , findeth a ____________ thing.

  2. Many ____________ we fail to ____________ the great ________ a ________ wife ________.

  3. If you were to hire someone to do the work for a week that the wife did, how much would it cost you?________

  4. How many hours are spent in food preparation during an average marriage? ____________

  5. How many hours are spent in washing the dishes during an average marriage? __________

  6. How many hours are spent in caring for the family? ____________

  7. On an average, how many miles does the housewife walk a year? ____________

  8. How many dishes does she wash in a year? ____________

  9. Is happiness in the home a big job? ______ Yes   ________ No

10. The ________ to home __________ is a __________ and ____________ wife.

11. Will a happy home life help you in your vocation? ________ Yes   ________ No

12. How many women can we choose as our life mate? ________

13. List the seven (7) types of women Solomon lists in the book of Proverbs:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

14. List the type or types that you would like to spend the rest of your life with.

15. Does a good wife deserve respect and honour?  ________ Yes   ________ No

16. A good woman's price is far above ____________ or ____________.