Proverbs 31 Introduction (Six we don't want to be)

We mentioned yesterday that this passage is describing an excellent wife. I thought we might pause and refresh our memory of what we DON'T want to be....all from this same book of Proverbs.

We've made their acquaintance in previous chapters: Mrs. Ida Wannabefaithful, Mrs. Ida Wannabequiet, Mrs. Ican't Beserious, Mrs. Idon't Wantboundaries, Mrs. Iloveto Argue, Mrs. Geta Youintrouble . . .
They are all in sharp contrast to the excellent wife. Remember them?

Mrs. Ida Wannabefaithful just can't be happy with her husband. She is the adulterous woman that is mentioned in Proverbs. Instead of keeping her vows, she is as Proverbs describes her: she lies in wait for the inexperienced man, her lips drip with honey but she is evil, etc. In short, you don't want to get messed up with her!

Mrs. Ida Wannabequiet is the noisy woman; she simply cannot get her hands (or mouth) wrapped around the concept of listening before speaking. She is, therefore, constantly talking, and Proverbs says it would be better to live in a corner of a tiny house, than in a big house with her!

Mrs. Ican't Beserious is the foolish woman; this is a woman who despises wisdom and instruction. Proverbs tells us that this woman will rant and rage, and only care if her own opinion is valued.

Mrs. Idon't Wantboundaries is the rebellious woman; Proverbs says a rebellious person will harden their heart and stiffen their neck -- they will go against anyone and everyone who says they can't have their way.

Mrs. Iloveto Argue is the quarrelsome woman; she refuses to take the advice of Proverbs and use a soft answer to turn away wrath. Instead, she is constantly arguing and fussing....no fun to be around!

Mrs. Geta Youintrouble is the woman who incites her husband to evil. Remember King Ahab? He let his wife, Jezebel, point him toward evil ways, and even let her push him down the path. Proverbs tells us that "Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray,"(Prov. 10:17) and Jezebel sure did lead him astray. Ahab was the king, but his life was influenced by his wife, and in a negative way.

So, turning away from the adulterous woman, the noisy woman, the foolish woman, the rebellious woman, the quarrelsome woman, and the woman who incites her husband to evil, we come to the "excellent wife."  This will be the focus of our study -- we have one more post scheduled as introduction, and then we'll dive in. Join me, won't you?