As I read Proverbs 31 just now, the Lord revealed to me that the Book of Proverbs in the Bible reflects the metaphor that runs throughout the Bible. Namely, that those who forsake the Lord are compared to a woman who makes foolish choices that result in her destruction and in the destruction of those who join in her promiscuous ways; while those who love the Lord are compared to a faithful bride who is greatly loved, preserved, and provided for by God.
From Proverbs:
“A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city, to call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way: “whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.” [1]
“Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so, he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” [2]
The virtuous wife is virtuous because she has accepted and committed to one husband: Jesus Christ. He has redeemed, cleansed, and empowered her by His love to live a new life.
Redeemed: “When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” [3]
The harlot: “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” [4]
The bride: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’” [5]
Praise be to God! He is faithful to His people. He will keep His promise to bring us who believe in His Son Jesus Christ to His heavenly kingdom.
[1] Proverbs 9:13-18
[2] Proverbs 31:10-12
[3] Romans 5:6-11
[4] Revelation 17:1-2
[5] Revelation 21:2-4
No comments:
Post a Comment