Text: Prov 12:4 ESV 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. - Prov 12:4 ESV AN EXCELLENT WIFE Solomon turns his attention to the ‘excellent’ wife. Just as a crown identifies a man is of royalty to others, a good woman does the same by bringing her husband honor and dignity. Simply put, he will make her husband appear like an honored or crowned king. She is beautiful from the inside out. As Peter pointed out, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands,”[1 Pet 3:3-5] One example in the Old Testament is Ruth. Boaz commended Ruth, whom he later married, by saying, "All my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman" (Ruth 3:11). She is the embodiment of the virtuous woman in Prov 31. She does her husband good (Prov 31:12); is far more valuable to her husband than jewels (Prov 31:10), and wisdom and kindness flow from her mouth (Prov 31:26). Sadly, there are wives that bring shame to their husbands. Their bad and embarrassing reputations do cause much pain. They gave pain as one experiencing ‘rottenness to the bones’. In closing, it’s a very important matter not to be hasty in choosing a spouse. Remember, both spouses can be either honored or shamed by the conduct of their partners. And, the Lord won’t give the second best to those who trust wholeheartedly for God’s guidance. [Prov 3:5-6] For “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.”[Prov 18:22] ------------------------- Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram