一個有才德的妻子的祝福 TheBlessing of an Excellent Wife
作者: Steven
Lawson 譯者: Maria Marta
很少有其他的影響能及得上妻子的影響------影響丈夫對上帝的心，無論這影響這是正面的，抑或是負面的。妻子要麼鼓勵，要麼妨礙丈夫對上帝忠誠；要麼增加丈夫對上帝的熱心；要麼給丈夫潑冷水。什麼樣的妻子能鼓勵，推動丈夫的靈命成長？箴言卅一章10–31節提供了一個值得丈夫倚靠的妻子的輪廓。這樣的妻子讓丈夫完全信任她，是上帝的真智慧的體現。
「有才德的婦人，誰能得著呢？她的價值遠勝過紅寶石。」（10節）這樣的妻子很難找到。才德（excellent）（hayil）這個詞的意思是「力量、能力、剛勇、尊嚴」。才德婦人是能力很強，品德高尚，並且對上帝和家人強烈委身等所有這些品格的典範。只有上帝能預備這樣有才德的婦人：「房屋與財富是祖宗遺留的產業；唯有明慧的妻子是耶和華所賜的」（箴十九14）。「覓得賢妻的，就是覓得幸福，也是蒙了耶和華的恩寵」（箴十八22）。 這樣有德行的婦人是上帝賜予的無價禮物。
「她丈夫心裏倚靠她，就不會缺少收入」（11節），這有什麼好奇怪的呢？丈夫倚靠她，因為「她一生的年日，只帶給丈夫益處，沒有害處」（12節）。她給他們的婚姻帶來許多長處，每一個獨特的長處都適合補充他的不足。她的恩賜立即成為他的收入，她帶來的許多長處是他倚靠她的因素嗎？
她的服侍
首先，這樣非凡的妻子不知疲倦地服侍他。她不是無所事事閑坐著，而是主動「搜求羊毛和細麻」，然後「樂意親手」紡線，織造（13節）。她「好像一隊商船」（14節），出海尋找最好價格的最優質面料，目的是織造最好的衣服。這種無私的妻子「天還未亮，她就起來」（15節）為她的家人準備食物。她也是一個優秀的管家，監督與她一起在家中服侍的「眾婢女」。
她的成功
其次，這樣有進取心的婦人在許多交易中培養出良好的判斷力。她精明地「選擇了一塊田」，然後「把它買下來」，並在那兒栽種「葡萄園」（16節）。她憑自己的「能力」解決問題（17節），為她的家庭賺取可支配的收入。這些生意交易是「獲利」的（18節），提供了額外的，可與其他人分享的資源。她手拿「卷線竿」和「紡錘」，挑燈夜戰，不辭勞苦，為她的家人制作衣服。
她的犧牲
第三，這樣勤勞的女人赒濟「困苦」和「窮乏」的人（20節）。在「下雪」時，她也能滿足她的家人的需要。她已提前預備好，為家人織造好「朱紅色」的衣服（21節）。她不遺余力，不惜代價，供應她所能提供的最好資源。供應他人之後，這樣勤勞的妻子才「為自己做床毯」，用「細麻和紫色布料」為自己做衣服（22節）。她有能力做昂貴的衣服，是她的勞動蒙上帝恩寵的明顯證據。
她的見識
第四，她的許多美德提高了她丈夫在「城門口」的地位，城門口是本地長老會面的地方（23節）。這樣有才德的妻子憑借著自己的精明見識，「做」，「出售」，「供應」她的貨物。盡管她非常能幹，她非但不與丈夫爭當領導，反而透過她的順從來堅固他的領導地位，而且這是眾人皆知的事。
她的力量
第五，這樣有才德的婦人以內在的「能力」和「威儀」展望未來（第25節）。雖然她預期很多的挑戰，但在上帝的護理看顧之下，她有確實的信心「喜笑」（25節）。她期待上天的供應能滿足她家庭的每一個需要。當人們尋問她的建議時，她說出「智慧」和「仁慈」的說話（26節）。雖然外面很忙，但她不疏忽照顧「她的家庭」（27節）。
她的超卓
第六，她是一個如此優秀的母親，以致她的孩子觀察到她的才德，「稱她是有福的」（28節）。她的丈夫看到她在養育子女中的品格特質，「稱讚她」，他自豪地稱道:「 [她] 比她們更超卓」（29節）。 在他眼裡，沒有人可以堂而皇之地聲稱與她相等。
她的靈性
第七，這樣的婦人的真正偉大之處是她屬靈上的忠誠。她「敬畏上帝」（30節）。「艷麗」和「美容」都只不過是「虛假」和「虛浮」。她真正吸引他的是她對上帝的敬畏。甚至本地在「城門口」的長老亦「稱讚」她的工作（31節），承認她忠誠正直的為人。她的丈夫珍視她的忠誠和勤勞。他是最幸福的人。
她丈夫依靠她，這又有什麼好奇怪的呢？上帝在她的生命中的事實讓她值得丈夫完全信任。根據每一個評價，她是「丈夫的冠冕」（十二4）。只有上帝能預備這樣才德兼備的配偶。
上帝賜給你這樣有才德的妻子？你認為她特別適合你？你認為她提高了你對上帝的事奉效力？ 為這樣的女人，你的心信任的女人，向上帝感恩。
本譯文所引用的經文均出自《聖經新譯本》。
本文原刊於Tabletalk雜誌。
The Blessing of an Excellent Wife
FROM
Steven Lawson
Few
influences affect a man’s heart for God more than his wife, for better or for
worse. She will either encourage his spiritual devotion to the Lord or she will
hinder it. She will either enlarge his passion for God or she will pour cold
water on it. What kind of wife encourages her husband’s spiritual growth?
Proverbs 31:10–31 provides a profile of the wife who is worthy of her husband’s
trust. Such a wife is the embodiment of true wisdom from God, causing the
husband to confide in her with complete trust.
“An
excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels” (v. 10).
Such a good wife is hard to find. The word excellent (hayil) can mean
“strength, capability, valor, or dignity.” This woman exemplifies each of these
qualities, having great competence, noble character, and a strong commitment to
God and her family. Only the Lord can provide such an excellent woman: “House
and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord”
(Prov. 19:14). “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from
the Lord” (18:22). This virtuous woman is a priceless gift from God.
Is
it any wonder that “the heart of her husband trusts in her” (v. 11)? The
husband has faith in her because “she does him good and not harm all the days
of her life” (v. 12). She brings her many strengths into their marriage, each
one uniquely suited to complement his weaknesses. Her gifts immediately become
his gains, and she provides much that causes him to trust her?
Her
Service
First,
this extraordinary wife tirelessly serves him. Not sitting by idly, she
actively “seeks wool and flax,” then extends a “willing hand” (v. 13) to spin
thread and make material. She is “like a merchant ship” (v. 14), launching out
to find the best fabric, at the best price, in order to make the best clothes.
This selfless wife “rises while it is yet night” (v. 15) to prepare food for
her family. An excellent manager, she oversees “her maidens” as they serve
alongside her in the household.
Her
Success
Second,
this enterprising woman exercises sound judgment in her many dealings. She
shrewdly “considers a field,” then buys it. There, she plants a “vineyard” (v.
16). By her “strong” (v. 17) resolve, she earns disposable income for her
family. These business dealings are “profitable” (v. 18), providing additional
resources to share with others. She labors well into the “night” with her
“distaff” and “spindle” (v. 19) to make garments for her family.
Her
Sacrifice
Third,
this diligent woman gives generously to “the poor” and “the needy” (v. 20). As
“the snow” approaches, she also gives to her family. She has planned ahead,
making “scarlet” garments (v. 21) for her household. She spares no effort or
cost in providing the best she can. After providing for others, this
industrious wife makes “bed coverings” and clothes “for herself” with “fine
linen and purple” (v. 22). Her ability to give expensive garments is clear
evidence of God’s favor upon her labors.
Her
Savvy
Fourth,
her many virtues enhance her husband’s position in “the gates” (v. 23), where
city leaders meet. With keen savvy, this excellent wife “makes,” “sells,” and
“delivers” (v. 24) her goods. Despite being very competent, she does not
compete with her husband’s leadership, but undergirds it by her humble
submission—and everyone knows it.
Her
Strength
Fifth,
this treasured wife looks to the future with inner “strength” and “dignity” (v.
25). Though she anticipates many challenges, she nevertheless “laughs” (v. 25)
with positive confidence in the Lord’s providential care. She is expectant that
heaven’s supply will meet her family’s every need. As people seek her counsel,
she speaks words of “wisdom” and “kindness” (v. 26) to them. Though busy
outside the home, she does not neglect “her household” (v. 27).
Her
Supremacy
Sixth,
she is such a fine mother that as her children observe her excellence, they
“call her blessed” (v. 28). Her husband sees her character traits in parenting
and “praises her.” He boasts that among women, “[she] surpass[es] them all” (v.
29). In his eyes, there are none who can legitimately claim to be her equal.
Her
Spirituality
Seventh,
this woman’s true greatness is her spiritual devotion. She “fears the Lord” (v.
30). “Charm” and “beauty” alone are “deceitful” and “vain.” Her real attraction
to him is her reverence for God. Even the city leaders “praise her” in the
“gates” (v. 31), recognizing the integrity of her life. Her husband prizes her
fidelity and industry. He is the most blessed of men.
Is
it any wonder that her husband trusts her? The reality of God in her life makes
her worthy of his full confidence. By every estimate, she is “the crown of her
husband” (12:4). Only God can provide such an excellent helpmate.
Has
the Lord given you such an excellent wife? Do you see how she is specifically
suited for you? Do you recognize how she has increased your effectiveness for
the Lord? Then give thanks to God for such a woman in whom your heart trusts.
This
post was originally published in Tabletalk magazine.