Bridges on Proverbs 31:28-31

Charles Bridges on Proverbs 31:28-31


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28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. {have...: or, have gotten riches} 30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The virtuous woman is obviously subserving her own interest. For what greater earthly happiness could she know, than her children's reverence, and her husband's blessing? We may picture to ourselves her condition — crowned with years; her children grown up; perhaps themselves surrounded with families, and endeavoring to train them, as themselves had been trained. Their mother is constantly before their eyes. Her tender guidance, her wise counsels, her loving discipline, her holy example, are vividly kept in remembrance. They cease not to call her blessed, and to bless the Lord for her, as his invaluable gift. No less warmly does her husband praise her. His attachment to her was grounded, not on the deceitful and vain charms of beauty, but on the fear of the LORD. She is therefore in his eyes to the end, the stay of his declining years, the soother of his cares, the counselor of his perplexities, the comforter of his sorrows, the sunshine of his earthly joys. (Ecclesiasticus 36:23, 24.) Both children and husband combine in the grateful acknowledgment — Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all.

But why — it may be asked — do external recommendations form no part of this portrait? All that is described is solid excellence; and favor is deceitful. A graceful form and mien often end in disappointment, more bitter then words can tell. Often do they furnish a cover for the vilest corruptions. And then beauty — what a fading vanity it is!† One fit of sickness sweeps it away. (Psalm 39:11.) Sorrow and care wither its charms. (Ib. 6:7. P.T.) And even while it remains, it is little connected with happiness.† It proves itself the fruitful occasion of trouble, the source of many hurtful temptations and snares;† and, without substantial principle, to a well-judging mind it becomes and object of disgust rather than of attraction. (Chapter 11:22.)

The portrait, here penciled by divine inspiration, begins with the touch of a virtuous woman, and fills up the sketch with the lineaments of a woman, that feareth the LORD. (Verses 10, 30.) For the lovely features described — her fidelity to her husband, her active personal habits, her good management and diligence in her family, her consideration for the necessities and comforts of others, her watchfulness of conduct, her tenderness for the poor and afflicted, her kind and courteous behavior to all — this completeness of character and grace could only flow from that virtue, which is identified with vital godliness. They are the good fruit, that “prove the tree good.” (Matthew 7:17.) They are such fruit, flowing from a right principle, as the natural corrupt stock of man could never produce.

The virtuous woman seeks not the praise of men. Content to be known and loved within her own circle, she never presses herself into notice. But as a public blessing, she cannot be hid. (Acts 9:39.) And if she has no herald to sound her praise, all will say — Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. ‘Let every one’ — says Bishop Patrick — ‘extol her virtue. Let her not want the just commendation of her pious labors. But while some are magnified for the nobleness of the stock, from whence they sprung; others for their fortune; others for their beauty; others for other things; let the good deeds, which she herself hath done, be publicly praised in the greatest assemblies; where, if all men should be silent, her own works will declare her excellent worth.’† Add to this — as her works praise her in the gates, so will they “follow her. The memory of the just is blessed.” (Revelation 14:13. Chapter 10:7.) All will see in her the light and luster of a sound and practical profession; that the promises of godliness are the richest gain, the grace of God the best portion, and his favor the highest honor.

If this picture be viewed as an exhibition of godliness, we observe that religion does not slacken attention to temporal duties. It rather renders a woman scrupulously exact in all her household obligations, in everything within her province; careful not by her negligence to bring reproach upon her holy profession. Why should she be careless or slovenly, putting her important duties out of time and out of place? Of her it is specially expected, as the summing up of all her practical exercises, that “she should have diligently followed every good work.” (1 Timothy 5:10.)

How valuable also is this picture, as a directory for the marriage choice! Let virtue, not beauty, be the primary object. Set against the vanity of beauty the true happiness, connected with a woman that feareth the LORD. Here is the solid basis of happiness. ‘If’ — says Bp. Beveridge — ‘I choose her for her beauty, I shall love her no longer than while that continues; and then farewell at once both duty and delight. But if I love her for her virtues; then, though all other sandy foundations fail, yet will my happiness remain entire.’† The external choice was the cause of the destruction of the world. (Genesis 6:2-7.) A flood of iniquity came into a godly man's family from the self-pleasing delusion. (2 Chronicles 18:1; 21:5, 6.) The godly choice is uniformly stamped with the seal of divine acceptance.

In fine — ‘if women’ — says pious Bishop Pilkington — ‘would learn what God will plague them for, and how; let them read the third chapter of the prophet Esay. And if they will learn what God willeth them to do, and be occupied withal, though they be of the best sort, let them read the last chapter of the Proverbs. It is enough to note it, and point it out to them that will learn.’† ‘That which is last to be done’ — concludes an old Expositor — ‘is to mark it well, and let every woman strive to make it agree to herself as much as she can. Let every man be ashamed, that any woman shall excel him in virtue and godliness.’†

‘Thus — and once more’ — says pious Matthew Henry, in his quaint style — ‘is shut up this looking-glass for ladies, which they are desired to open and dress themselves by; and if they do so, their adorning will be found to praise, and honor, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.’†

Ecclesiasticus 36:23, 24

The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more. If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men. He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.

Footnote:

Genesis 12:14, with 23:4. 1 Peter 1:24. Compare Virg. Ecolog. ii. 17, 18.

Genesis 12:14

14 ¶ And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

with

Genesis 23:4

4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

1 Peter 1:24

24 ¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: {For: or, For that}

Psalm 39:11

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. {his...: Heb. that which is to be desired in him to melt away}

Psalm 6:7. P.T.

7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

Footnote:

Genesis 29:17; 30:1, 2.

Genesis 29:17

17 Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.

Genesis 30:1, 2

1 ¶ And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. 2 And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Footnote:

Chapter 4:25, 26. Genesis 12:11-19; 20:1, 2, 11; 26:7. 2 Samuel 11:2; 13:1.

Proverbs 4:25, 26

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. {let...: or, all thy ways shall be ordered aright}

Genesis 12:11-19

11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 ¶ And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Genesis 20:1, 2, 11

1 ¶ And Abraham journeyed from thence toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh and Shur, and sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.

Genesis 26:7

7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

2 Samuel 11:2

2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

2 Samuel 13:1

1 ¶ And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.

Proverbs 11:22

22 ¶ As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. {is without: Heb. departeth from}

Proverbs 31:10, 30

10 ¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Matthew 7:17

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Acts 9:39

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Footnote:

In loco.

Revelation 14:13

13 ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. {from henceforth...: or, from henceforth saith the Spirit, Yea}

Proverbs 10:7

7 ¶ The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

1 Timothy 5:10

10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.

Footnote:

Works, Parker Society Edit. p. 387.

Genesis 6:2-7

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3 ¶ And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4 ¶ There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. 5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. {every...: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires} {continually: Heb. every day} 6 ¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. {both...: Heb. from man unto beast}

2 Chronicles 18:1

1 ¶ Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

2 Chronicles 21:5, 6

5 Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 6 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD.

Footnote:

Resolution ii.

Footnote:

Jermin in loco.

Footnote:

In loco.